i just recently got my A&P and cant find any job?

Question

does anyone know of any sites to heavy aircraft so i can get into the industry. it seems all large aircraft companies want at least 2 yrs experience.

i live in CA. the prob with getting wil fbo's is they dont accept it as experience with large aircraft carriers

example is southwest airlines...
they need 2 yrs. experience in heavy aircraft (737) a b and c checks experience

Answer 1

Well, if you're wanting to work commercial aviation, I hope you're willing to relocate. I would start off seeing if you can get on with one of the contract agencies, SMART, PlaneTechs, etc. They have lots of temporary jobs around the country and they may be able to find somewhere that will hire you. 'Temp' jobs may only last a few months, so keep a good reserve in savings; these can lead to full 'direct' jobs with the company where you'll be working if you're a good mechanic and they need more permanent staff. If you have any decent sheetmetal skills at all, it shouldn't be a problem; there's a serious shortage of sheetmetal mechanics right now, throughout the United States.

Shoot me an e-mail and I can send you a 727 general familiarization course on CD-ROM; that'll give you at least something to put on your resume. It's a full 40 hr course; once you complete it, it'll print out a nice-looking certificate for your training records.

Any experience in the industry is better than nothing; I started out in general aviation, fueling airplanes and cleaning bugs off windshields before I got into real maintenance (100 hrs, etc.) and then the 'majors' a couple of years later. General aviation is also a great place for networking--far better than commercial aviation. So don't look down on those little puddle-jumper Pipers and Cessnas; they may be your gateway to bigger (and better-paying) things. Another thing--the guys working on corporate jets can make at least as good a money (if not better) as those of us in the commercial world.

Answer 2

Contrary to what they say, airlines WILL hire with no experience. United is one of them. If you can't get lucky, find an FBO and work your way up. Unfortunately, it's all about connections, and I've found that most entry-level A&P's don't want to take the time to build those relationships.

Just curious, do you actually want to work on aircraft? There are so many other jobs that A&P's can do (I have one of them).

Answer 3

AS with any job, you have to start out small. First find a small freight company with a smaller aircraft. Get some hours of those and then move up to a larger ship. You will have to put in at least 2 years on each class of plane. Move up to the next class of aircraft, and eventually, you will be qualified on the one you really want to fly, or work on. Count on it taking at least 6 years before you get enough flight or repair hours to get on the bigger aircraft.

Answer 4

The main reason that airline mechanics' tool boxes have wheels is that you're going to have to move to find a job. There are lots of aviation jobs available for entry level workers, but most of them are in Florida or Georgia. Go on Monster.com or America's Job Bank.com and search for A&P Mechanic positions. The Air National Guard is also looking for mechanics, if you're willing to commit to a four-year contract with the military.

Answer 5

Start applying to helicopter companies. They are always looking for A&P's. Especially in Alaska. A good place to start, then keep the resumes going out

Answer 6

I don't know where youre location is but I have friends who have their a&p's and were very successful in finding jobs in Norfolk/Virginia Beach, Virginia and in Atlanta, Ga. Also check with your school, they should definitely have job placement programs available. Good luck!!!

Answer 7

Check with USAirways

Answer 8

start with a small fixed base operator and work your way up to having that experience.