Should I take out a loan to pay for flight training?

Question:
As you know, the cost of flight school is quite expensive. Do you think pulling out a 40-60k loan would be wise considering that in the beginning of their careers pilots get paid very little. If pulling out such a loan isn't feasible what are my options in paying for school.

Answer:
Most advanced educations cost money, whether it is an education from a university (Doctorate, Masters) or advanced technical training from a medical school or flight school. The question thus becomes: will you reap the rewards of such education? Unfortunately, only you can answer that question.

Much like doctors, pilots start their career earning very little and continue to earn very little for quite some time. It is a “back loaded” career. so you must be prepared to hike the road of Top Ramen and Star-Kist Tuna before you feel like you have “arrived.”

Let’s face it, since deregulation people don’t fly for the money. They fly for the passion, the drive, the love and joy of actually piloting an aircraft. With this in mind, I ask you; why do you want to be a pilot?

If you truly desire to become a pilot and are faced with financing difficulties, I advise you to take the time to visit an aeronautical university. They have financial aid offices that are equipped to help you find the money. Some schools will also hire you as an instructor, or otherwise, to help pay for your education. You are going to have to pick up the phone and ask.

Wishing you the best in your endeavors...

Regards,
Lori Clark

Silver State Helicopters

Just this morning I was talking with another aviation friend who informed me of another aviation casualty. Silver State Helicopters filed chapter 7 on February 7th of this year. Apparently, there was no notification to students and/or staff.

If you were a student of Silver State Helicopters there may be some recourse for you. A class action suit has been filed and if you haven't already, I recommend you contact the attorney leading the charge - Michael Berger in Los Angeles. Mr. Berger's firm can be contacted through one of the links listed below.

I wish each of you affected by this action the very best.

http://www.tcvsystems.com/HeloPilots

http://www.silverstatehelicoptersbankruptcy.com

http://postflightinspection.com


Regards,
Lori Clark

Explaining the lack of longevity with an employer

Question:

I have been with my current airline for 11 months. I have a chance to make some good money overseas with another airline. In the interview (overseas) how do you answer the question "why are you leaving your present company only after such a short time"? And not sound like your a gypsy and like to change jobs and more importantly sound greedy because really deep down the money is the answer? Thanks for your input. This is the only question I fear.

Answer:

While I completely understand the temptation of making a lot of money in a very short amount of time, you need to weigh everything before making a decision. Please bear in mind that the question you are concerned about with this overseas airline will come up again in future interviews.

Airlines are concerned with patterns. And they are no different than every single other company on the face of this Earth - they want to know you want to work for them. It's really very simple, they want a good return on their investment.

My best advice is to be honest. If you try to fabricate some excuse it will come across that way. Does this new company have any other good points?

Hope this helps
Regards,
Lori Clark

Most "memorable" pilot interview

Question:
Hi Lori-

What's your most "memorable" interview? Good or bad...

Thanks-

Answer:
Your question made me smile - thanks!

Wow - I've done so many interviews that they really seem to run together. I would have to say that when I reflect back over the years that I tend to generalize, or compartmentalize if you will, instead of remembering individuals.

Having said that, there are a couple of things that stick out. I do remember key "things" about individuals such as those "off the wall" felony convictions (they always astound me) or the fun interviews. Usually the fun interviews are because we, the interviewers, made them fun. [I do not advise that the candidate try to interject fun into an interview.]

For example, we had a candy dish sitting on the table full of colored candies. I loved to "mess" with people and line up three different colored candies on the table and then ask the candidate to choose one....before we began the interview. The reactions were priceless. The candidate would get wide-eyes and study the colors and our faces before picking one. They would choose, hand it to one of us with the most puzzled look. We would say thank you and then move right into the interview. Most people would ask at a later date what that was all about and which color meant what. Of course it meant absolutely nothing except to give us a chuckle.

Thanks for the smile... and the memory reflection. :)

Regards,
Lori Clark

How do I prepare early?

Question:
I may have an interview coming up in the future, how should I start preparing early?

Answer:
There are several books which can be quite helpful -
Look to the right --->
in "My Study Picks."

I recommend using the gouge too. BUT…. As you read the gouge do not pay attention to what they write as “the answer.” do yourself that favor – it will only hurt you in the long run.

Read up on your airlines of choice. Get to know who they are and what direction they are headed in the future. Also do your due diligence on your own background. Order your airman record from OK city, get your training records from your current airline, driving records, NDR, etc. know what is in your own background.


Regards,
Lori Clark