Any A&P Mechanics? Seeking career advice...

[saggs]

OK, a little background, just turned 30, single, did 2 years of university before I dropped out.  I need desperately to do something education wise to step me up into an enjoyable career.  Right now I have a part-time photography business (engagements, portraits, youth sports etc.)  where I make maybe $300-$400 a month just on the side.  Then I work a meaningless manual labor job full-time, which I hate.  I have the skill and knowledge to expand my photo business to start doing weddings (where the money is) but I don't have the $$$ to invest in the gear I feel I would need to do it right, and I'm not convinced that I want too, I enjoy it as a hobby and would hate to ruin it. Also I'm sure it would take several years to build it into something that could be a primary income.

Anyway long story short, I'm looking at vocational school type programs, where I could go to school maybe 18mo.- 2 years without all the extraneous courses universities force you to take, and come out of it with a marketable career skill.  I've always loved aviation, and even considered for a time getting a commercial license, but decided it was just far to expensive, especially at my age...  the debt would be equivalent to having a second mortgage,  and the market is slow now too. 

So one option I'm considering is A&P school.  I think I'd do well as a A&P, I like working at hands on stuff, I think airplanes are cool, and I learn mechanical stuff pretty well.  BUT my brother who is an airline pilot tells me that most A&Ps will end up working a graveyard shift for most of their career, which does not interest me at all.  Also the costs of schools just browsing the internet seem to vary wildly, some say a 12 month course and $7,000 others say 2 years and $20,000...  so which is more accurate?  For anybody who is an A&P is it true that you will likely end up working graveyard shift most of your career?

I figure there might be some A&Ps among all the aviation buffs here, so I thought I'd ask.

[mike8318]

I wouldnt say you would work it your entire carrer. It really depends on where you wind up working. I work at Delta Tech Opps in Atlanta,and we have A&P mechanics all over the place. In engine overhaul,hangar,line maintainence,etc.You may work rotating off days,rotating shifts,or lots of other variables.Just depends on the company. Where I am,the turover rate is pretty low. Out on the line it might be a different story. It is a pretty rewarding carrer,pays well,and has great benefits. I've been here 21 years and love it.

[guncrasher]

Rotating shifts are a killer.  High diverce rate guaranteed.  I know, I have them.  But if I was you I would talk first to employers in your area and see which schools they consider are better.


Semp

[morfiend]

Saggs,my advice is to pick a trade that you can eventually be your own boss in.

 Anything that will let you start your own company would be the way to go if you ask me.


  Years ago a wise man told me"you dont make money working for someone,you make it working for yourself".


   

[shreck]

Saggs,my advice is to pick a trade that you can eventually be your own boss in.

 Anything that will let you start your own company would be the way to go if you ask me.


  Years ago a wise man told me"you dont make money working for someone,you make it working for yourself".


   

Solid advice right there 

[Grind]

some say a 12 month course and $7,000 others say 2 years and $20,000...   

About $7,000 at our local Jr. College Vo-tech (18 month course) and I've heard $20,000 at Spartan.

[jigsaw]

One of the local colleges here has an 18 month A&P that can be done for probably less than $3k (in county resident). A lot of out of work pilots have been adding similar things on to their resumes.

If you're remotely considering going into weddings I'd strongly suggest working as a second shooter for someone else for at least a season.

I've been running my own photo biz until airline hiring picks back up, but I wouldn't touch a wedding with a ten foot pole. Maybe a fifteen footer as a second shooter

[saggs]

Thanks for the tips and advice.  It still seems odd to me that some A&P courses vary so much in price. 

If you're remotely considering going into weddings I'd strongly suggest working as a second shooter for someone else for at least a season.

I've been running my own photo biz until airline hiring picks back up, but I wouldn't touch a wedding with a ten foot pole. Maybe a fifteen footer as a second shooter

I actually have done a few weddings as a second shooter (just doing candids) and I have done a handful of weddings on my own, but I would want a candid shooter to really do one right.    I do have the proper equipment to do a wedding... However the thing about weddings for me is that you actually need two of everything, it's a one time chance for those shots, and what do I do if my lights break (or light controller), or my standard zoom, or my portrait lens etc, etc.  Right now I have 2 bodies but only one of all my lenses, lights, flashes etc.

My dream would be to become a freelance nature and wildlife photographer, as that is what I truly love and I like to think I'm not that bad at it.  However saying that is like the H.S. basketball player who says he wants to be in the NBA.  It is a very, very, very select few of photographers who can crack into that field and make it.

[jigsaw]

If it's just a gear issue holding you back...  rent what you need to complete the job and build the rental fees back into your pricing structure. Very common thing especially if the job requires a medium format digital back like a Phase and Profoto lighting.