Alaska A&P jobs?

[saggs]

So I'm an unemployed A&P mechanic...

My last job was on contract and when it ended in May I decided not to go on with that company to the next contract.  I had decided a while ago that I want to move to AK for several different reasons, didn't think it would be to difficult for me since aviation is lifeblood there.

Been actively looking daily for work there for about 5-6 weeks now, found lots of jobs posted, and I've sent out dozens of resumes but have gotten exactly 0 interest.  So now I'm desperate apparently enough to ask for help on a video game forum    (kind of embarrassing, but at least I know there is lots of aviation knowledge here)

Anybody have any hot tips or leads?  I've gotten the most leads off of JSfirm.com, also signed up for AvJobs.com before I decided it's a rip-off.  I feel like there must be a job there that is perfect for me, I just don't know where to look to find it since I have no connections there.  (like the old saying it's now what you know but who, and I don't know anyone)  I also kind of fear that my resume is working against me, I've only got 18 months experience and 80% of it has been on just one aircraft (MD500D) though it was a very intense 18 months so I know that aircraft very well now.  Most postings I see want someone with 4-5 yrs experience, or experience on some specific aircraft... which seems like a catch 22, how can you get 4-5 yrs experience if nobody will hire you without it?   How can you learn an aircraft without someone hiring you to work on it, or paying your tuition to a factory school?

Been looking primarily in the Juneau and Anchorage areas, but I'm open to others.  Also focused more on helicopters since that's what I know best, but I'm open to fixed wing as well, and kind of think I might prefer it.

Any tips, even if it's just websites to look on, or people to network with are appreciated.

Thanks.

[RTR]

Evergreen helicopters have several bases in Alaska I believe. They operate several different types I think. In the lights they run MD500's, bell206's. Also  intermediates and mediums.

Aviation has always been a tough nut to crack just through emailing or sending a resume. If it is at all possible I really do recommend a visit to any prospective company. It puts a face to your name.

good luck!

RTR

[Trell]

I would not worry about reaching out to a video game forum.  Networking is different for different people. 

I can’t help you,  That is not the field or a region I work in.
I would suggest that you add a link to your resume  or at least a list of your experience so that anyone that does have information can see if you fit what they are looking for.

[Maverick]

I fully understand why you would want to move to AK for work. The problem is your lack of diversification in aircraft work. Right now you are more of a specialist in one bird. You need a broader range of experience to be useful for more employers. A variety of fixed wing experience, both light and medium sized birds, would make you far more salable. Quite frankly, and I know you don't want to hear it, you need to invest more time locally in getting a broader range of work experience before trying to set out for where you really want to be. Otherwise you are in effect expecting the employer to hire you then train you on other aircraft they use. Since there are other A&P's out there looking for work they can afford to be choosy.

[icepac]

Does original poster know how much it sucks to work on stuff in the cold?

If I were still pursuing an aviation career (A&P from 1984) I would be looking up somewhere that supports being able to practice your trade with less interruption or hardship.

I started my A&P career working on constellations and C46 commandos for A.M.S.A in which I saw some of the worst the industry has to offer but I would still prefer those conditions to freezing my tookus off.

[saggs]

Does original poster know how much it sucks to work on stuff in the cold?

I'd prefer it to working in 104° heat like I did last summer.   Besides the most populous areas of Alaska like Anchorage are actually pretty temperate, I saw colder winters when I lived in Montana then they ever see in the Anchorage area, and Juneau is like a paradise, never gets very hot, or very cold.  Yea if I ended up someplace like Fairbanks or Nome it would be cold, but I can handle it.



Maverick:

I get what you're saying about experience, it's the same thing I said when I was talking about catch 22...  no one will hire you without experience on such and such aircraft... so how do you get experience on said aircraft???  There HAS to be SOMEONE who is willing to train you, or new A&Ps would never get hired.

I guess I was lucky with my last job, I got referred by my DME before I had even taken my practicals, but to me now it seems that the companies which will hire people straight out of school are rare.




RTR:

I didn't realize that Evergreen ran 500s, I had thought they only ran medium to heavy lift ships, I'll look into them, thanks.

[B4Buster]

I'd prefer it to working in 104° heat like I did last summer.   Besides the most populous areas of Alaska like Anchorage are actually pretty temperate, I saw colder winters when I lived in Montana then they ever see in the Anchorage area, and Juneau is like a paradise, never gets very hot, or very cold.  Yea if I ended up someplace like Fairbanks or Nome it would be cold, but I can handle it.



Maverick:

I get what you're saying about experience, it's the same thing I said when I was talking about catch 22...  no one will hire you without experience on such and such aircraft... so how do you get experience on said aircraft???  There HAS to be SOMEONE who is willing to train you, or new A&Ps would never get hired.

I guess I was lucky with my last job, I got referred by my DME before I had even taken my practicals, but to me now it seems that the companies which will hire people straight out of school are rare.




RTR:

I didn't realize that Evergreen ran 500s, I had thought they only ran medium to heavy lift ships, I'll look into them, thanks.

Check out Winco since you have MD500 experience. They operate a lot of them. You may be required to travel a lot though. I know a few guys who work for them and enjoy the company.

[RTR]

You're welcome Saggs. Not sure how up to date their website is but they seem to operate  a few different types.

I am a  licensed Canadian Aircraft Maintenance Engineer and have spent my last 17 years or so with helicopters. I also hold a commercial heli pilot license, but haven't exercised it in the last 4 years or so. I get more time at home wrenching which suits Mrs RTR just fine.

I'm not familiar with the job opportunities for A&P's in the US, but here in Canada there is a huge shortage of Engineers. As an Engineer I can pretty much pick and choose my job, there is no shortage of work here.

If you are going to stay with helicopters though be prepared to spend alot of time away from home. It can take a toll on family life, but if you have the right girl behind you its good. I`m old and krusty now, but still get out there occasionally. You will see things that most could only dream about.

As far as experience on different types, Maverick is pretty spot on, but any company you work for will undoubtedly provide you with some good hands on. Type courses may be a different matter depending on the company and your time with them.

Hope you find what you are looking for. 

RTR

[saggs]

Check out Winco since you have MD500 experience. They operate a lot of them. You may be required to travel a lot though. I know a few guys who work for them and enjoy the company.

I'm very familiar with Winco, my last job was with a company doing the same thing Winco does in the power line construction business, in fact my boss there is good friends with Gordon, the owner of Winco and talks to him often.  Winco doesn't have any operations going in Alaska though.  Latest I heard was most of their ships would be on a big job in Texas for the next 2-3 years.




RTR,

I know exactly what you mean in the helicopter business, one of the reasons I chose not to continue on with my last company (in powerline construction) was because I was sick of the 70-80 hour work weeks (in the field for 12+ hours Mon-Sat, and then spending Sundays catching up on maintenance) and also didn't want to be moving all over to a new job every year.  That is why I said I think I might prefer fixed-wing.  Having a standard 8-5 shift and a 40hr workweek sounds awfully nice to me, something like a flight school or FBO would be ideal for me I think.

[B4Buster]

I'm very familiar with Winco, my last job was with a company doing the same thing Winco does in the power line construction business, in fact my boss there is good friends with Gordon, the owner of Winco and talks to him often.  Winco doesn't have any operations going in Alaska though.  Latest I heard was most of their ships would be on a big job in Texas for the next 2-3 years.




RTR,

I know exactly what you mean in the helicopter business, one of the reasons I chose not to continue on with my last company (in powerline construction) was because I was sick of the 70-80 hour work weeks (in the field for 12+ hours Mon-Sat, and then spending Sundays catching up on maintenance) and also didn't want to be moving all over to a new job every year.  That is why I said I think I might prefer fixed-wing.  Having a standard 8-5 shift and a 40hr workweek sounds awfully nice to me, something like a flight school or FBO would be ideal for me I think.

Gotcha. I've talked to the owner briefly a few times (a quick "hi, how's it going?") though am certainly not on a first name basis. Seems like a nice enough fellow.

[Selino631]

maybe try contacting Era Alaska or Warbelow Air at Fairbanks International Airport. they are both smaller run companies so they might be able to help you.

[Babalonian]

So I'm an unemployed A&P mechanic...

My last job was on contract and when it ended in May I decided not to go on with that company to the next contract.  I had decided a while ago that I want to move to AK for several different reasons, didn't think it would be to difficult for me since aviation is lifeblood there.

Been actively looking daily for work there for about 5-6 weeks now, found lots of jobs posted, and I've sent out dozens of resumes but have gotten exactly 0 interest.  So now I'm desperate apparently enough to ask for help on a video game forum    (kind of embarrassing, but at least I know there is lots of aviation knowledge here)

Anybody have any hot tips or leads?  I've gotten the most leads off of JSfirm.com, also signed up for AvJobs.com before I decided it's a rip-off.  I feel like there must be a job there that is perfect for me, I just don't know where to look to find it since I have no connections there.  (like the old saying it's now what you know but who, and I don't know anyone)  I also kind of fear that my resume is working against me, I've only got 18 months experience and 80% of it has been on just one aircraft (MD500D) though it was a very intense 18 months so I know that aircraft very well now.  Most postings I see want someone with 4-5 yrs experience, or experience on some specific aircraft... which seems like a catch 22, how can you get 4-5 yrs experience if nobody will hire you without it?   How can you learn an aircraft without someone hiring you to work on it, or paying your tuition to a factory school?

Been looking primarily in the Juneau and Anchorage areas, but I'm open to others.  Also focused more on helicopters since that's what I know best, but I'm open to fixed wing as well, and kind of think I might prefer it.

Any tips, even if it's just websites to look on, or people to network with are appreciated.

Thanks.

[Nitpick on]
Light/Sport Rotary =/= AlaskaAviationLifeblood.  Little planes + cheap to buy + easy/cheap to repair + easy/cheap to operate + easy/cheap to modify for the job (from gun racks to ski racks, and while the helo is more flexible - a cub with skis, floats and/or bush tires is capable and at a fraction of the cost of a rotary to own, maintain and operate) capable of flying 1,000 miles from your front door to the local pharmacy every week/month or less = a 24/7/365 lifeblood.[nitpick off]

Take advise from Maverick's post, maybe step back one step from being a low-time Hughes-500 wrench in Alaska, I'm a firm believer that the guy who finds the best opportunities around in a hangar is the guy who's sweeping it.  And since it sounds like you're more trying to find any job at a specific (or a couple) location, I would go as far as suggest you work a couple weekends somewhere you like for free, hoping it turns into something that will pay.

OK, about the resume/inerviews, I only have a couple thoughts/concerns:
Don't tell them you quit because of the long hours or long days in the field, try to bend it at least, IE: oil smells better before midnight, and the more you work teh more you get paid, but being the only guy left doing all the paperwork in the office on sundays was becoming a problem.  If you wanted to make your fortune with only 8-10 hour work days, 4-5 days a week, with a roof over you head, you shouldn't of become an A&P.  I put in 84 hours of donated time to my aviation museum this recent long 4th of July weekend, 5 very long days (and with the memorial we held this past weekend, I still haven't caught up on laundry ).

Another possibility is that you've burned a bridge with your last job, but you are probabley aware of this factor in aviation.  It is a much smaller world than we think, almost everyone knows somebody.  Think carefuly who you list on your resume for past experience, not so much that calls will be made, but that Bob has known Joe and Joe's Shop for 25-years, and if you "only survived" 18-mo.s at Joe's, Bob knows you won't last 18-days in his - Bob never even though about calling Joe to ask.

[saggs]

[Nitpick on]
Light/Sport Rotary =/= AlaskaAviationLifeblood.  Little planes + cheap to buy + easy/cheap to repair + easy/cheap to operate + easy/cheap to modify for the job (from gun racks to ski racks, and while the helo is more flexible - a cub with skis, floats and/or bush tires is capable and at a fraction of the cost of a rotary to own, maintain and operate) capable of flying 1,000 miles from your front door to the local pharmacy every week/month or less = a 24/7/365 lifeblood.[nitpick off]

Take advise from Maverick's post, maybe step back one step from being a low-time Hughes-500 wrench in Alaska, I'm a firm believer that the guy who finds the best opportunities around in a hangar is the guy who's sweeping it.  And since it sounds like you're more trying to find any job at a specific (or a couple) location, I would go as far as suggest you work a couple weekends somewhere you like for free, hoping it turns into something that will pay.

OK, about the resume/inerviews, I only have a couple thoughts/concerns:
Don't tell them you quit because of the long hours or long days in the field, try to bend it at least, IE: oil smells better before midnight, and the more you work teh more you get paid, but being the only guy left doing all the paperwork in the office on sundays was becoming a problem.  If you wanted to make your fortune with only 8-10 hour work days, 4-5 days a week, with a roof over you head, you shouldn't of become an A&P.  I put in 84 hours of donated time to my aviation museum this recent long 4th of July weekend, 5 very long days (and with the memorial we held this past weekend, I still haven't caught up on laundry ).

Another possibility is that you've burned a bridge with your last job, but you are probabley aware of this factor in aviation.  It is a much smaller world than we think, almost everyone knows somebody.  Think carefuly who you list on your resume for past experience, not so much that calls will be made, but that Bob has known Joe and Joe's Shop for 25-years, and if you "only survived" 18-mo.s at Joe's, Bob knows you won't last 18-days in his - Bob never even though about calling Joe to ask.

Your nitpick is off the mark, I wasn't talking specifically about rotorwing when I said aviation is lifeblood in AK, I referring to aviation in all it's forms.   I'm well aware that if a company can operate a cheaper aircraft to do a job they will.  I would guess there are far more PA-18s and C208s operating in AK then rotorwing aircraft.

Also, I never said I wanted to make a fortune...  I don't really.  I just want a job that I enjoy that gives me enough to pay the bills, I much rather work for $40K a year doing something I love, living where I want... then make $120K in a job where I'm miserable.

And no, I have not burned any bridges, I left my last job on good terms, and have actually gone back for a couple weekends to do the 300 hour on the aircraft and track & balance.  My former boss has said that he will give me a positive recommendation to anyone that asks.  Last time I was helping him I even asked if anyone had called him since he is listed as a reference and he said no.  Which leaves me to wonder if all my resumes are being filed in the "round" file. 

I understand what people are saying about being there in person, helping out as a volunteer and all that, and I agree 100%.  But that is just not practical to do when you're applying for jobs that are 3,000 miles away.  The best I can do is follow up phone calls, which I've decided I'm going to start doing a lot more of.

[colmbo]

I'd prefer it to working in 104° heat like I did last summer.   Besides the most populous areas of Alaska like Anchorage are actually pretty temperate, I saw colder winters when I lived in Montana then they ever see in the Anchorage area, and Juneau is like a paradise, never gets very hot, or very cold.

Don't believe everything you read. Official low temp for Anchorage is -26F or so, but I have seen -55 on the east side of town and every winter temps get into the -20 to -30 range. -20 is cold no matter where you are.


With your minimal experience you will be more likely to find work in the bush, places like Bethel. However you limited light aircraft experience will still be a downer for an employer.