General Aviation Blues

[Dan]

I toured Northwest airlines recently, and what a shock. being new to the a&p scene, ive been comparing general aviation to the airline maintenence world. to me it seems that working at a small airport would be so much more fun- an engine repair one day, a 100hr inspection, or a sheetmetal repair the next day. but getting paid 10/hr with no bennies, its hard for me to put food on the table. then you have the big red tail, and in four years you can be in the low 20's/hr with benefits. only drawback is the big city and the fact that it doesnt look like much fun, infact most jobs dont appeal to me at all. but then, i really dont know what they are like? Whats a guy to do? Love what you do or just do something i dont have my heart into because of the money? what about the small branches like the commuters, maybe they have more of that hometown hanger feeling.
sure wish i could stay at my little f.b.o. and have fun. who knows, maybe the big airline field isnt so bad. comments encouraged. thank you.

[djschaut]

Dan,
And so you ask the perennial question--Should your job give you life's satisfaction? Essentially, that's what you're asking. Some people believe that work is there to make money and your life outside of work is more important. Others say that if you aren't going to work with a smile on your face than you should change jobs. In a small town--working at an FBO--could you survive? Would you have time to spend with your family, fish, ski, bowl, play baseball, basketball, golf, etc? Can you ad flight instruction to your repertoire and supplement your income that way? Or do you want to move to the big city, join a union, get union bennies, 'commute' to work, fight traffic, work on impersonal jets, wear ear protection, work for a large corporation, and live in the suburbs? At the end of the month, you probably wouldn't have that much more in your paycheck in the city, but you'd likely have better retirement and medical. Anyway, the choice is yours and it is a choice we all are faced with at one time or another. I've gone through the same thing and have chosen to work less, make less money, pay less taxes, drive an old car, go out less, and spend more time with my kids. In the end, pilots or A/P mechanics can give you all the advice in the world, but you have to make up your own mind about these things. But this dilemma is not limited to general aviation.

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DJSchaut

[TLH]

Dan

Regionals are one way to go if you still like doing different things. I have 10.5 years experience with a reagional. You will more than likely have the small town feeling depending on the regional. Something can be said for quality of life. On one end of the stick is the position money brings quality of life; on the other end family brings quality of life. The regionals will normally pay less but you will still have the benifits (which are important and should be considered). As I mentioned before I worked for a regional for 10.5 years and during that time I had the opportunity to be exposed to all areas of aircraft maintenance. Toadys regional aircraft are some of the most advanced. From composites to avionics regionals will sooner or later expose you to it.

I have had friends go to red tail and for the first year all they did was interiors (removal and install) of fluff pillows. Others to American and it is pretty much the same story. I can not knock someone who likes that kind of work. Without these type of people we would all be in poor shape. But if it is not for you; it's not for you.

At a regional you will be exposed to it all good or bad. But it is as allways your call.

[appraiser]

Dan,
You may be able to have the best of both worlds as I have. You will probably need to "pay your dues" first by working for a major in a big god forsaken metropolis somewhere, in the middle of the night with monday and tuesdays off. Then hopefully you can transfer to a smaller town closer to home with some cash in your pocket. I don't think you have to give up your plans of a rewarding career by going to work for a major airline. The pay (closer to $30/hr,$45 ot & 55 dt) can give you the freedom to start that business on the side, or buy your first aircraft without having to rent it out to pay for it.

Here's my free meaningless advice: 1. work like a slave for the best paying major who'll hire you. 2. Get all the Overtime & gravy you can soak up. 3.Give yourself a 2 or 3 year time frame to build up your savings.

Hopefully you will then be in a position to make a decision about the rest of your career, a)return to GA at much lower wages with some cash in the bank b)stay with the major & transfer to a better location c)give up on aircraft maintenance and become a professional wrestler. Afterall that's where the real money is!
Good Luck


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