Harold Said:

Anyone know about the airplane industry?

We Answered:

Ehh, the answer to this question is extremely fluid; the numbers change every year based on economic and political conditions.

For example, after September 11th, the airline industry (read: the majors, delta, AA, etc...) took a huge hit. They stopped hiring completely and even started to furlough pilots. Recently, Delta pilots had to agree to a pay cut! There are benefits though. The pay is well and once you are established, it's hard to lose your job to bad economic conditions. Virtually all use the Seniority system: if you have a day over the company owner's son, he will get furloughed before you!

Military service isn't required to fly in the airline industry. Also, when you say airline industry, it's a vast one! I believe you are referring to the majors, which everyone associates as United, Delta, etc... These jobs are highly competitive and hard to get. I Know Delta won't hire a civilian pilot with less than 3,000 hours. Legally, it takes 1500 hours to get you ATP (Airline Transport Pilot).

There are also other flying jobs in the industry. I have friends (older than me and father's friends) who have done very well as commercial pilots. One flies a Lear 60 for a local charter company. While he doesn't make 200k a year, he does very well; he has a new Vette and lives in a large house. For a less experience pilot with their commercial license (over 250 hours usually) he can find employment banner towing, or skydive lifting or as a CFI making around 15-20$ hr. While this isn’t 200k, it does pay for advanced training. A job as a CFI is a great way to get paid to build hours. Don't forget the regional airlines. They can be an intermediate between CFI and the majors. Yes, there are ways for you to accumulate hours without working for them, but Airlines usually look down upon these methods. They are looking for the person that worked his/her way up.

Further military service is a benefit. Imagine getting PAID to learn to fly jets. The only problem is the commitment, usually at least 6-8 years). Before I came to UF, I Seriously considered Embry Riddle. But I couldn't afford 40k+ year. One of my friends got a navy ROTC scholarship (free school) at the expense of 8 year commitment after graduation. This wasn't for me.

Hope this helps, if you have further questions, send me a message.

Anthony Said:

Our careers will split us up?!?!?! HELP!?

We Answered:

I am so sad that so many people think you have to make a choice.....
I think you can do both. I've known people that have/do. (ME, for one.)You are looking to work as a foreign service officer which says you aren't doing that now. What if you don't get picked up? What if he decides to get out of the military? What if you both have brilliant careers?

I would encourage to look at Civil Service....my friend is a GS-13 and her husband is a MSgt....they work his assignments around hers.

Richard Said:

Ever wonder what to tip someone in service?

We Answered:

Its helpful I suppose, but not exactly accurate for everyone.

1. Bartender
Base Pay per Hour: $7.30
***Our bartenders get paid the same as waitress'...2.30 an hour.



2. Waiter/Waitress
Base Pay per Hour: $4.60

***I'm at 3.00 an hour, and that with a raise over 3 years.


Tips per Hour: $9.90
Percent of Total Hourly Income in Tips: 68%

***Also, this is the slow time of the year, and I certainly did NOT make $9.90 an hour in tips tonight. On good nights, yes, we may make that or more, but in the slow season we are lucky to go home with $30, before tipping out bussers and bartenders.

Andrew Said:

(Link included.) What career within the Air National Guard would best suit me?

We Answered:

"Also my main reasons for joining the military are for the service, respect, discipline and honor."

With this attitude, you will go far in the military, glad to see you wear your pride and patriotism on your shoulder, much like I do.

If you want to serve, want to go to college and make money doing so, and want to gain life experience, then the ANG is a perfect fit for you. Lots of Healthcare jobs at many units and most are giving a $20K bonus as well as all the college money.

This is one of the best choices a young person can make, so glad I did and went through college and graduated with no loans to my name, thanks to the ANG.

Email me

Diana Said:

Probation Service - jobs no more?

We Answered:

It means that a Private Company will be allowed to provide the Service.,

The Private Company will need to employ Probation Officers - so there will still be jobs HOWEVER these will no longer be Government jobs.

Implication is that (eventually) wages will be lower, holidays and other benefits (working week, sickness entitlement etc) lower and it's also likely to effect you date of retirement and pension.

Look at what happened when Waste Collection (aka Dustbins) were privatised - half the number of vans, half the number staff == the bin men had to work twice as hard ...

Cecil Said:

career dog trainer for dog sledding?

We Answered:

For any business you want to open classes in business management apply.

You should spend a year or two apprenticing under a musher... or maybe a year each for 3 mushers in different geographical areas.

This is a year around 24/7 type job. Seeing how it works and how much work it is and THEN deciding if its something you cannot live happily without doing is key.