Monday, June 09, 2008

An Interview, After All

It's been less than a month since the jet job interview I couldn't attend, but they called me again to say that they have more interviews scheduled this week. And this time I can attend. It's a really really good opportunity. The company pays well, has full benefits, like a real job, maintains their aircraft and I could make a whole career there. They fly old noisy three-crew airplanes, which itself would be an experience, and chances are that during my career they might renew the fleet, giving me a chance to fly a modern airplane before I retire.

It's pretty exciting, but there's a part of me that clings to the job I have and love now. It's possible that it's a much better job but that I wouldn't like it as much. What if they hated me?

But it won't hurt to go and see.

14 comments:

Lord Hutton said...

It's what you have wanted though, isnt it? Even though your current gipsy existence seems to have you captivated.

Anonymous said...

The best of luck to you! I hope you get the luxury of deciding between two great jobs.

Anonymous said...

Break a leg! Whatever works out, you've got a great job now, and this seems like a great job too. It's a wonderful problem to have.

nec Timide said...

It's always better to have a choice, and to be in a position of strength. Best of luck!

Pilot said...

Don't turn down an upgrade ... years from now it might turn around and bite you on the a@s

Anonymous said...

Old and noisy three crew aircraft owned by a Canadian operator that does its own maintenance.

DC-6?

Aviatrix said...

Anonymous, unless there's a second operator I don't know about, matching your guess, my standards are higher than that.

Anonymous said...

Hrm, I can understand not wanting to work for Royal, but Conair actually operates more DC-6s than Royal, and looking down at them would be... snobbish.

That said, I don't think either of those count as jet jobs in either your or my eyes, and I'm betting that its one of the (very good) B727 operators in this country. In that case, congrats! And remember that B727s are FAST!

Of course, I personally suspect that this is being posted at least a month after it happened, and that the fact that you're making it public knowledge means you aced the interview, got the job, decided to take it, gave your (blog-time) current employer fair notice, and are currently blasting out of airports at top speed, max volume, and with maximum smoke trails!

Anonymous said...

First of all: congratulations! What always seems hardest is finding the right mixture of having a good and fun job now and working towards a good job situation in the long run. And very often, of course, the higher pay is possible in a job where you get absorbed so much that you cease to exist as a person with a life, hobbies and time for your friends and partner.

Although I am not in aviation, similar stuff was bugging me this year. My old job got on my nerves, but was very convenient because of its short commute and very flexible working times. One offer for a new job was at a big company with an even shorter commute and excellent pay -- but it also seemed to have some disadvantages typical for big companies; like the possibility of "golden handcuffs" and other things that are awesome when you want to have a big career but are not good when you still want to have a life outside of work. Then, there was another choice with a bit less money at a smaller company. The interviews there just felt better and I went for it. It is strange, though, to turn down something that sounds like the best choice, career-wise.

What I've also learned during this whole process is that you don't necessarily slam doors shut with a decision like this. It looks like the way back to the old company might still be there and I can't think of a reason why I shouldn't look at the bigger company again in some years if I wanted to. Their website says that the job is still open it obviously isn't super-easy for them to find the right folks.

Most important, though: Once I made a decision, I instantly felt way better. It looks like it proves right to consider all the options towards a career just as much as to listen to what feels best.

Dagny said...

Good Luck!!!

And send me an email with the details please????? Pretty please???

Thanks :)

Good luck again!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Good Luck !!

And if it is on the three-holer, enjoy it while you can. I know (ok, knew - it was a while ago) pilots who refused to leave the airplane they loved it so.

Sarah

HotForWords said...

Congrats on the new possible position! This comment is kind of off-topic! But I found my way here due to the "break a leg" comment left by mongo.. and the word "cockpit". Aviatrix.. I just wanted to give you some random information that may make for a good conversation starter in your new job!

Do you know why the cockpit is called a "cockpit?"

I recently researched this word and wanted to share what I found out... It has to do with the cramped quarters on early planes.. and they actually named it after a "cockpit" where they would have cockfights.. with roosters... because often after long flights the men on the plane would be fighting like roosters in a cockfight.. so they named the cockpit after that.

Funny huh?

Just a totally random post... :-)
Marina
HotForWords.com

Anonymous said...

Kelowna Flightcraft is the only 727 operator with non-trivial maintenance capabilities. However they operate other types that don't fit the description of three crew and noisy.

Anonymous said...

Good luck!

I expect that if you do land the job that you will be heading through YQR (my current home) on a regular basis (I think 9 p.m-ish is the eastbound leg at the moment).

Cheers, arf