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I subscribe to a lot of different newsletters that have to do with aviation. Keep abreast of the industry, be up to date on what's happening, that whole idea. Just recently I've seen advertising for some programs promising to teach pilots a "shortcut" to getting your dream job. Get the job you want, flying the aircraft of your choice, TODAY. It's Easy!
That got me thinking: are there really shortcuts in an aviation career? If I had done something differently, could I have come out of flight school with 250 hours and gotten a job flying a 747? Possibly, if I bought a 747 and subsequently paid myself to fly it. The term shortcut is relative. There's no way to circumvent minimum experience requirements, you can partly thank insurance companies for that if nothing else. But once you have the minimum experience level, are there shortcuts to reach your career destination?
Here's something about shortcuts I learned the hard way (which is how I learn most things, apparently): I'd just moved to Alaska and was out hiking to a lake with some friends. It was a beautiful fall day and the leaves were just starting to change. We were hoping to get some real "Alaska Experience" photos along the way, possibly even getting a good shot of a moose or bear for our trouble. The group came to a fork in the trail at the base of a mountain. Our destination lake was on the far side of said mountain, which inconveniently blocked our way. One of the forks in the trail wound around the base of the mountain, while the other one clearly led up over the top. Everyone in the group wanted to go around the base. Everyone, but yours truly, that is.
I knew the shortest distance between two points was a straight line. Heck, I'd learned that way back in grade school. Seemed like a no-brainer, but the other (more experienced) hikers said they were going around the base.
"Listen guys, I'm a P-I-L-O-T. I navigate for a living. It will absolutely be quicker to go over the top."
They laughed at me, which I found irritating. This left me with only one sound, logical, and mature alternative to make my point. A bet.
"I'll bet you a growler (half gallon) of Moose's Tooth (a local micro-brewery) that if I go over the top I'll beat you to the lake."
They laughed at me again, and said it was on.
"Oh yes, it is on," I said to myself as I started jogging up the hill, "like Donkey Kong."
About 10 minutes later, I realized I may have miscalculated. I had a clear view of the group, walking merrily on their way around the base laughing and joking (at my expense, most likely). I, on the other hand, was breathing heavily and had started removing the outer layers of my clothing, which were curiously soaked through with sweat. No time for second guessing, I continued up the mountain, quickening my pace. There was a growler on the line, after all.
By the time I reached the top many, many, many, minutes later the hiking group was well over halfway to the lake, and I was on the verge of vomiting all over myself. But somewhere on the slog up this god-forsaken mountain things had gotten personal. I didn't care about the growler any more. From the top I could see where I had started, and in the other direction the lake was now clearly in view. My route was shorter distance-wise, although obviously not effort-wise. Either way that meant I was right, and I was going to prove it, even if it meant wearing the two Cliff Bars I'd eaten an hour ago. I had to make it to the lake first or risk hearing about it the whole way back, on top of buying a growler. And by the way back I meant around the base of the mountain, because there was no way I was climbing over this monstrosity again.
I started bounding down the backside of the mountain, on the razor- edge of controllability the entire time. I reached the base just about two minutes before the rest of the group, and kept running to the lake. By the time I got there, I thought I really might collapse. The whole world felt like it was tilting back and forth, but the group was right behind me so I had to suck it up and look like I wasn't nearly as exhausted as I actually was. I wasn't concerned about taking pictures any more, just maintaining consciousness. True, I reached the lake first, but I was totally spent. Too spent even to enjoy my hard-won growler that night. I stuck it in the fridge and passed out as soon as I got home.
This is the experience that comes to mind when I hear people ask about career shortcuts. In aviation, and in any career, there absolutely are shortcuts from point A to point B. Here's the thing about shortcuts: they may get you somewhere faster, but they are a LOT more work. A legitimate shortcut is not an "easycut."
It doesn't matter if you're talking about being a good instructor, taking a new job for better experience, or simply meeting people and networking. It all requires much more time and effort than sitting back and letting the world go by. Employers can tell by the resume you've built if you go above and beyond or simply sit back and build time. All employers want someone who is willing to go one step further. Two pilots, same amount of flight time, same background. One gives IOE and one just files the line. Who do you think an employer would prefer? IOE can be a lot of work, and a lot of liability. It may at times make you want to vomit on yourself, much the same as running over a small mountain, but (I'll bet you a growler) it will get your resume noticed sooner rather than later.
Anything that will get you ahead quicker will require more work. And possibly a whole lot more work. There is no system or method that can create opportunity without putting the effort and sacrifice into it. Anything that bills itself as the "easy" way to "get ahead" is pretty suspect in my opinion. The good news is if someone is willing to work, and not be part of that annoying group of hikers making fun of you and…oh wait, back on track…taking it easy at the base of the mountain, you can increase the chances things will go your way. There are many shortcuts out there, but I have yet to see an "easycut."
In response to the interview story contest, "What is the strangest interview question you've ever gotten and what did you do?"
The winner is J.S. The question was "Why are manhole covers round?" J.S.'s response, "A round manhole cover can't fall through the hole." I had no idea, I just figured circles were more fun. Thanks to everyone that submitted an experience. Congrats to J.S., I hope you enjoy your signed copy of "How To Land A Top Paying Airline Job."
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