SLAYING THE 3AM DRAGONS

lay-off2

Feeling a bit anxious lately? Worrying about everything from the light bill to world peace? Waking up at 3am with the worry dragons breathing down your neck?

Allow me to begin by stating the obvious: the past 18 months have been an unprecedented time of anxiety for the majority of Americans. Between job losses, national security and business scandals it can all add up to feeling as though you have lost control of your destiny.

But, hold the phone for good news! During my years of consulting with individuals facing job adversity (company bankruptcy, termination, health issues) I have identified four specific steps that can help you prioritize your worries and regain control of your outlook and, ultimately, regain control of your destiny.

Big results can come from a little focused effort. Although these suggestions are not earth shattering, they can make the difference between fighting the 3am dragons on a nightly basis or slaying them and actually getting a good night’s sleep. Let’s begin.

Continue reading SLAYING THE 3AM DRAGONS

WFFF Gets Social!

You can now follow the latest WFFF happenings and job postings on our new Twitter and Facebook pages! Have some good ideas of what you would like to see on our social networking pages? Use our contact form to let us know!  Click on the corresponding icon to visit our social pages.

Our new Facebook Page can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/WillFlyForFoodcom-Pilot-Job-Resources/51881584875

twitter-128x128

New Pilot Jobs Board!

pilotWFFF is pleased to announce our new Pilot Jobs Board. Our new Pilot Job Board is unique as it only contains jobs for pilots and no other part of the industry. You won’t find our job board filled with non-pilot jobs. This is a job board created by pilot for pilots! Current pilot jobs available includes postings from major airline recruiters, regional airlines, foreign (non-US) airlines, corporate flight departments, flight schools, scenic tour operators, US Government contracts and many more. There are job opportunities for everyone, from low time to high time! Sign up today for special introductory rates at http://www.willflyforfood.com/pilotjobs/pilotRegistration.php

Will Fly For Food is now .com!

dot-com
Our new address is www.willflyforfood.com

After a long struggle, we are pleased to announce that Will Fly For Food has acquired the .com domain name. If your website or web browsers bookmarks currently link to the old .cc domain, we request that you update to our new address on the World Wide Web: http://www.willflyforfood.com.

Although our domain has changed we will continue to provide the pilot job resources that you have always enjoyed!

Do Check Ride Problems equal Interview Problems?

pilot_checkride
Discussing failed check rides on the application and during the interview.

We receive many calls from pilot applicants regarding failed check rides.  Let me first preface this article by saying that failing a check ride is not the end of your job search!  Yes, failed check rides will be a topic of discussion for the interviewers, but it does not necessarily mean that you will be removed from the interviewing pool or denied a job.   However, as with any hiccup in your background, proper presentation of the information both in written and verbal format is imperative.

Before you even begin to fill out any application you should review your logbooks and contact the FAA in Oklahoma City to request your COMPLETE AIRMAN’S FILE.  This file contains all of your FAA medical and check ride history since the beginning of your flying career.  Once you have received your airman’s file, take some time to review it thoroughly, re-acquainted yourself with your past performances and research any discrepancies.  After you have completed this task you are ready to apply this information to your applications. Continue reading Do Check Ride Problems equal Interview Problems?

Thinking about taxes today could add more than $200,000 to a pilot’s retirement

taxesCompound interest has been called the eighth wonder of the world.  Incredible monetary growth is possible given two simple ingredients – persistence & time.  And for airline crewmembers, perhaps one of the most overlooked opportunities to benefit from the power of compound interest comes during tax season.

Airline crewmembers (both pilots and flight attendants) incur a number of expenses associated with their employment.  Most of these expenses are eligible to be written off as itemized deductions on IRS Form 2106 (Employee Business Expenses).  Continue reading Thinking about taxes today could add more than $200,000 to a pilot’s retirement

Recommendations: Always Good Idea?

recommendationOver the course of the last several weeks I’ve had three clients who have come to me with differing problems in the same area: recommendations.

My definition of a recommendation covers everything from a short letter of praise written by past/current employer or coworker, to a pilot-acquaintance who offers to walk your resume in to his company, to the person who puts his or her reputation on the line by vouching for your professional and personal background. Continue reading Recommendations: Always Good Idea?

Flight Time Presentation

logbookQUESTION:
I am in the process of filling out airline applications.  I’m not sure about how to list PIC time, as the PIC time in my logbook is different than what will be listed on the application.  Do I need to make changes in my logbook to have my times listed exactly as the application wants it?

ANSWER:
There is nothing worse than having an Interviewer look at your logbooks and say, “WHY did you list your time THIS way?” Continue reading Flight Time Presentation

The ‘Professional’ in Professional Pilot

professionalpilotThe word ‘professional’ when attached to the word ‘pilot’ means much more than just flight ratings and number of hours at the controls.  In my 18 years of providing career advice to professional pilots I have learned a great deal about how non-technical characteristics can help you rise to the top of the applicant pool…and ultimately allow you to achieve your highest career goals.

1. Preparedness

How well you prepared while gaining your flight ratings will be closely reviewed.  Your goal is to show your preparedness by scoring well on written tests and passing your checkrides on the first try. You can increase your chances of reaching these goals by following a few simple rules: Continue reading The ‘Professional’ in Professional Pilot

Q&A: What are some of the most damaging interview mistakes pilots make?

interview1Question: What are some of the most damaging interview mistakes pilots make?

Answer: A very popular question! And, recent dilemmas faced by Cage Consulting clients highlight two important facts that a pilot must face in order to eliminate two of the most damaging interview mistakes.

FACT # 1
The decision to not provide requested information on employment applications will follow the pilot throughout his or her career. Continue reading Q&A: What are some of the most damaging interview mistakes pilots make?