Time out of the aviation industry.

I was just curious if there is anyone out there that has been out of the aviation industry for awhile and looking to re-enter?
I served in the Navy for 8yrs working on helicopters then graduated from A&P school 2yrs later. I moved to Las Vegas and worked the industry for a couple years until shortly after 9/11. I was working for National Airlines and lost that job right before National closed their doors for good.
I found it hard to find another A&P position in Vegas, so I ventured out & started my own business working on small aircraft and completeing a couple full restoration projects. In 2004, my business slowed way down and my wife was expecting so I was forced to take a position with a casino for insurance purposes. I've been working as a Surveillance Agent since and maybe working on a plane every once in a great while. I've been trying to get back in the industry for about a year and a half now. I've applied to dozens of AeroTek listings in the past and always get the same response that they'll get back to me. Glad I'm not unemployed and relying on them. The last experience that I had with AeroTek was not good at all. I saw a few postings for the Vegas area and applied with in hours of the posting. I even called for an immediate response for a couple of them. The recruiter that I called did get back to me which was a surprise. Talking to this guy was unforgetable. There was a line position that was high paying and I was interogated and told that the position was not the one for me and all the A&P positions were filled. Now this is with in hours of the postings. My impression of AeroTek is really bad and I can't see who would want to use them. I thought that they were out there to help you instaed of discouraging you. Has anyone else been dragged over the coals and had their fingernails pulled out just to get a job with these clowns?

Watson I have been trying to get a job through these guys for many years. I see the postings and I see the same things that you have. No reply on the internet and if you call them there is always a reason why you did not get the job.
I was also with a majot airline and after 9/11 in october I was sent down the road with my box kicking rocks.

I have worked on aircraft overseas and got paid the big$ allthough there was a price to pay for that as well.
When the FAA implemented the RECENT experience clause we as true A&P mechanics lost big time. We are now at the bottom of the barrel so to speak.
Aerotech is not who they say they are.
I have truly lost faith in them and I will never go back to them. I get an email from them and just delete the message.

Mathew,
Thanks for responding. This past year has been a huge let down. I found that most of the jobs or companies that I want to work have it set up to where you have to go through AeroTek or just apply online with the companies website. I found out about the rescent experience trick when applying for Air Methods and a position here in Nevada. That's why I try to stay current with my business as a self contractor but obvious that's not enough because I'm not touching planes everyday. When I did go through AeroTek the last time, the recruiter was ridiculous. I felt like I was being interogated for something I did wrong plus this clown caught me coming off of a grave shift so I was a little punchy. This clown made me feel like an idiot a basically was belittleing me. I got some rest and called again right before he left his cushy little office and dug in to him. I'm pretty experienced when it comes to the aviation job market in Vegas. I told him the reason why I wanted the $20hr line job is becuase it's not very often A&P jobs come up for Vegas so you have to jump on them. You're right, they make one excuse after another. From what I'm reading on other forums that once you go to work for AeroTek, it's a total nightmare.
I'm not entirely familer with the rescent experience clause that you mentioned but I would like to hear more.
Watson

One other thing that I've experienced when applying to the big companies is that the way the automated resume scans are set up, if your resume isn't picture perfect, then it hits the trash can with out hearing anything. How bout that.

Hi guys,

I'm not even in the field anymore, but sure do miss it. Want to go back if I can ever take the paycut.
I wasnt in mantainance but did everything else for commercial airlines (USAir and Continental)and after 9/11, I went into private aviation.
You are correct in that there are resume scans. They're scanning for keywords, so I would rework the resume with several of the keywords.
I really dont know how to go about it the old fashioned way, as I always got the station managers name and blasted him with resumes ever 5 weeks until I got a call.
Lastly, today, there is no money in commercial aviation, and retirement is shaky with pensions. Private aviation is a comfortable living if you can get it. Netjets, Flexjets, FlightOptions, etc, etc or private fleets, like Target Corporation,
I went with Raytheon and made a decent buck on 3/12's per week, and most of my checkairmen were former military, so there is no disqualifying there.

Dont give up, you'll get it if you dont give up. Good Luck guys

Hey Wing,
You're totally right about the heavies. Even when I was with National, I saw a huge decline in wages for the airlines. The way I'm seeing it is to go commutors for experience then on up to the larger airlines which is pointless because once again, no money. I was looking at corporate and even wanted to venture towards mfg. such as Lear, Cessna, or Beech. That's where the resume scans came in or Aerotek. I applied for several listings at Lear and got a couple not qualified letters and nothing for the rest. Discouraging. Private aviation is probably a better wage earner. Thanks for your input.
Have a good one.

Here you go my friend, it took a bit of research but as we are who we are we are good at it.. Mathew Jacksonville, fl.
Federal Aviation Regulation

Sec. 65.83
Sec. 65.83

Part 65 CERTIFICATION: AIRMEN OTHER THAN FLIGHT CREWMEMBERS
Subpart D -- Mechanics

Sec. 65.83

Recent experience requirements.

A certificated mechanic may not exercise the privileges of his certificate and rating unless, within the preceding 24 months --
(a) The Administrator has found that he is able to do that work; or
(b) He has, for at least 6 months --
(1) Served as a mechanic under his certificate and rating;
(2) Technically supervised other mechanics;
(3) Supervised, in an executive capacity, the maintenance or alteration of aircraft; or
(4) Been engaged in any combination of paragraph (b) (1), (2), or (3) of this section.

Hello guys/gals in the aviation buisness.
You go overseas your certificate means nothing to them.. What I am saying is FAA part 65.83 is out the window they are looking for warm bodies that can handle the heat and destruction. (war)

I do not care to go back to IRAQ, Kuwait you got the pic I am sure. To saddle back up in the states if you do not meet the feds req. you must follow the rules. Guess what you are treated and paid as if ou just got out of school (entry level).

Where is your integrety at that point? I still have mine and I will shove it right up into N1 if they think they can change me/ us as A&P mechanics.
Matt out

Hey Matt,
Thanks for taking the time to research that. They use to teach that in A&P school when I went through. It applied more towards IAs and staying current to get your IA. Now the rules have changed. I still ahve the FARs in my library and I need to look at those as well. You're right my man about the entry level thing. I've been reading under a lot of forums that there are so many mechanics that get there tickets and don't even get the chance to use them. Years later they try to get into the game and run into this clause. It's discouraging, but I'm on the same page as you, I suggest looking for entry level positions. The same thing has gone through my mind to just apply for an entry level and eat it for awhile. Like I said, I thought my contracting business would keep me current. That was one of the things that the assclown from aerotek picking at me about, even though with my business I had torn done several planes and built them back up from the ground up. With airframe changes and engineering involved. The FISDO was pretty impressed.
Anyway, take care and I'll talk to you soon. Tell me about your overseas adventures. Was it EG&G or Dyncorp?
Watson

Hello once again my friend.
From the way that I see what you wrote you are testing me... I like that for I gives me somthing to do. Here I go just hang in there with me.

URS is the big dog and EG&G is on the logistics side of URS
The other side is LSI which is the maintenance side ot URS corp.

Dycorp in my opinion from what my past experience whith dealing with :other people that dealt with them they can kiss my ass and i do not me my hole ai am talking the whole ass.
Carry your own tools half way across the world on a plane and see what happens to them. When you get to your destination hopfully your tools are with you. Now if your tools are with you you must carry them to the next destnation and go through customs and and and and maybe you get your property back in one piece. Think about that one!!!

Ok all goes well and your on your way to your final destination
and you are breathing easy just to find out that $2k box that you have been dragging around across the world is now filled with rocks. Now with Dyncorp and EG&G/LSI you must stay at that job for 6 Months and at that point they will pay for your ticket back to the states. Here is the kicker they take $1k out of your paycheck for 6 months and if you are there they will give you a lump sum of $6k back along with your regular pay. If you cannot hang you get a ticket back and you lost the rest of it. And It depends how you filled your taxes out. I will leave that one alone..

There is not much winning with that group (Dyncorp). (my opinion only).................................... $68k for 7/12 and the hardship not my cup of tea.
$140-160k with 3 days off I might give it a try.

More later on my treak with EG&G. I am getting tired and my other half is wanting me for some damn reason?? Talk to ya soon.

Matt

Hey Matt,

I didn't leave you hanging dude. I hope you and your family had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was good. I still had to work. No rest for Casino Surveillance.
I was reading about your adventures with Dying Corps and EGG. Humor.
I've always heard of the golden overseas jobs that would make you rich within a couple years. I just wondered what type of sacrifices you had to trade in return. Now I know from the bit that you told me.
I did apply with EG&G about 6 months ago. It sounded pretty promising for the secret airline that flies to that place with a number. I went through my background check without any problems except they tagged me for an outstanding state tax lien from 1988. That was a surprise!
I think I was in my early 20's when that tax season occured. Anyway,I got the letter and never heard from them after. If the lien is cleared, would that be grounds for reconsideration or would it be a waste of time? I've talked to some people in the area that say 51 is great for the money. Tell me some more about your adventures. Did you start wrenching again after you got back stateside?
I'll talk to you soon.

Watson

Mathew in Jacksonville, Florida said: Hello once again my friend.
From the way that I see what you wrote you are testing me... I like that for I gives me somthing to do. Here I go just hang in there with me.

.....
There is not much winning with that group (Dyncorp). (my opinion only).................................... $68k for 7/12 and the hardship not my cup of tea.
$140-160k with 3 days off I might give it a try.

Matt

$140-$160k w/3 days off? Now, surely you are imagining being a private corporate wings with OT, because A&P will never get you that money

Mathew in Jacksonville, Florida said: Hello once again my friend.
From the way that I see what you wrote you are testing me... I like that for I gives me somthing to do. Here I go just hang in there with me.

.....
There is not much winning with that group (Dyncorp). (my opinion only).................................... $68k for 7/12 and the hardship not my cup of tea.
$140-160k with 3 days off I might give it a try.

Matt

$140-$160k w/3 days off? Now, surely you are imagining being a private corporate wings with OT, because A&P will never get you that money