I’ve wanted to talk about this for a while, had this topic sitting in my notes for months. I just didn’t think it fit what I usually write about.
But it needs to be addressed at least once.
You’ve entrusted me with your email address and attention, to share when I have something I believe could help you in your job search.
Today, it’s this.
Earlier this week, a CFI posted a poll in one of the low-time facebook groups, trying to figure out the best way to get a job, using money he put together. He has 895 hours and like many others, is struggling to find something.
Option A: get his commercial multi and build 25 hours.
Option B: get his MEI.
Option C: just build hours to 1,000.
Option A won, but I disagree for two reasons:
1. not even that many multi-engine jobs to apply for once he gets his 25ME
2. for the few that exist, he’s competing with every other 25ME pilot in the country
→ odds of getting a job barely improved…
He’ll need those 25 hours eventually, yes
Having his multi makes him eligible for more jobs, sure
And he might even get lucky, absolutely right
But no, dropping $12k with no real gameplan afterwards other than applying everywhere is definitely NOT the “best” way.
Here’s why:
When you're almost 1,000 hours deep with no job, you've probably kept telling yourself "once I hit X milestone, I'll get hired for sure!"
We’ve all been there.
But that didn't work out, did it?
Still, now that everyone is telling you to "just get your multi", it might feel like progress again, like you’re finally doing something about your situation. But doing something doesn’t mean doing the right thing.
Option A sounds right because it's what every pilot genuinely thinks,. And it's a faulty belief. Experience obviously matters to an extent. But hours alone don't get you the job.
When stuck at 900 hours, it shouldn't be about just checking boxes anymore.
The question at that point is "why am I really not getting hired, and what would actually fix that?"
Because it's all about context. Strangers on the internet *may* have some about the market, but they'll have none about you. Their advice will be based on what worked for THEM, which might not work for YOU.
Although I'm a big believer in learning from other pilots' experiences, the caveat is having enough *good* information to make an informed decision.
Again, everything is situational.
Back to our facebook story.
I cautioned the guy on adding a new rating on his resume and simply expecting everything to work out. Another pilot chimed in to comment about how he got a jet job with a wet commercial multi add-on, how he wouldn’t have if he didn’t get his multi, and how we’d all need to get it at some point anyway. True.
I asked how he got the job, and he essentially proceeds to say he got lucky. Right person, right time. And that’s my point.
I know luck is a big factor in getting hired.
But you shouldn’t tell someone you know nothing about, to dump all their money on a gamble. I took a look at the CFI’s post history, and just 2 weeks ago, he had shared how he couldn’t afford to get a multi add-on. Which means he managed to find a way. Who knows how, so that’s something we cannot treat lightly.
Might seem like a minor thing and it is, until it isn’t. Because this is the type of diluted advice that can do somebody who’s desperate more harm than good.
At best, you will be wasting time doing things that simply won’t yield results.
At worst, it could actually hurt your career progression.
I’m saying all of this as a pilot who has no one but strangers on the internet to get advice from. I know what that’s like, and how frustrating it can get.
Keep in mind, the longer you believe an information that’s not true, the more time you’ll lose solving the wrong problem.
example: “I just need more experience.” Not quite.
This happens too often, so I want to make sure the low-time guys/gals who read my stuff are aware of the common pitfalls.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Facebook is still a goldmine of information. A lot of the cool stuff on this website, I got from there. But I’ve watched pilots giving some of the worst advice ever in those comments section.
I remember reading once that a C182 jump pilot should demand $300 a day whether they flew or not, no less. Dude, I promise you nobody is hiring you if you ever let those words out of your mouth. I’m not advocating to work for abysmal pay, but please, don’t go telling small dropzones you want a daily minimum guarantee that’s going to bankrupt the business before the skydiving season ends.
I’ve seen guys tell others to “just send an application even if the application window is marked as closed, it never hurts!” when I know the person in charge of hiring for the company they were talking about HATES that.
Or how “social media is a waste of time for networking” because it never worked for them, when I’ve talked to many many pilots who’ve used it successfully to get opportunities, me included.
I could go on.
And I’m sure the pilots with those terrible takes mean well. To be clear, this is absolutely not a dig at them, we need more people trying to pay it forward. But they lack proper context. Either about you or the current job market.
Best source of advice is either someone who has been recently involved in the hiring of low-time pilots, or someone a few steps ahead of you. Just make sure you always give/get the full picture.
And the best source of current information is: The Road to 1500. 🤪
I’ll be back with a Deep Dive next time, to prove it!
Until then, go read some of the past ones if you haven’t already.
Talk soon,
— Ivan