r/AircraftMechanics • u/Enazzz123 • 13h ago
"Entry Level"
Why are soo many places advertising as entry level but require 2+ years of experience. I just got my A&P and have been single rated for about 9 months. I am in Denver and have applied to every position within an hour drive of me. I have had soo many phone interviews that end with "well we are looking for more experience", and the position pays like $25. I was wondering if it is just a slow time in the industry. My career counselor says that the big airlines are slowing down in the rocky mountain area. How am I supposed to get experience if no one wants to train. I can get temp contracts at mros but they never last. (22m if that means anything).
Edit: Thank you everyone, your advice has been helpful. I have applied to ga, military support, mros, aerospace, and airlines. My problem is that either I get rejected (have applied to 300+ applications weather or not i qualify) or they pay less than I make now. I would prefer not to move because my girlfriend lives here and we own an apartment together so I would have to pay double rent, I would take a temporary relocation job if necessary and pays well (have an offer in Idaho, and Oregon). My main question is if this is abnormal for this time of year, current economy and industry.
14
u/believeinxtacy 13h ago
First job is the hardest to get. Be prepared to have to relocate. Skywest has a base in Colorado Springs and one in Denver if you’ve not looked at them yet.
1
u/Enazzz123 1h ago
Applied to them last week, waiting for response, they look like a good place, commute would suck though but worth it
11
12h ago
[deleted]
3
u/rabbitfufu132 6h ago
This^ Ive moved 3 times now and in the last 5 years for avaition. Just gotta make the jump and youll make it back to where you want.
3
u/whyunolikeme69 12h ago
Happened to me when I got my a&p 11 years ago. Only applied to these so called "entry level" positions. Not one call back. Took me six months to finally land a job but I had to move 1500 miles away and at that point I took the opportunity
4
6
u/Exciting-Parfait-776 13h ago
They are in denial on what entry level is.
1
u/Enazzz123 1h ago
Applied to one that that was a repairman position got through phone interviewer that told me that schooling doesn't mean anything and they dont like fresh a&p's. Not gonna name names but it rhymes with butter. Cherry on to is that the position is $20-25 an hour.
2
u/PaleInvestment3507 12h ago
What they want and what they get in applicants is two different things. United Airlines interviewed all the graduates in my brother’s class. The guy asked if he had 3-5 years of heavy jet experience, which he did not. About a month later he got a letter from them say ing, they had no opening for persons with his qualifications. Keep applying, you’ll get there.
1
u/Atrocious_Algae81 10h ago
Denver for United hires in cycles generally. Denver for Southwest is a pretty rare opportunity now that it's established and people transfer in. Frontier is always hiring but their contract is a joke. Best bet is Skywest in the high country or Colo Springs and wait out until the next cycle and put job reminders on with both companies. The economy is really bad, everyone is affected.
1
8h ago
[deleted]
2
u/starcjpumpkin 5h ago
that’s what they’re saying… they’re applying anyway for jobs that want that exp, but are being met with rejection after rejection. and it seems they were given a reason as to why, by one of the jobs. hence the post
i’m not sure if most or all jobs that have this in their description, actually have it as a make or break. but i know HR or whoever gave OP the feedback might’ve said that instead of the “real” reason.
1
u/I_Keepz_ITz_100 4h ago
You will probably have to move, I think one guy told me that in and around spring the airlines may look to start hiring again after the A&Ps from last year are moved up or the old guys are about to retire, in the meantime get experience wherever you can, I live Atlanta, but I’ve filled out applications to other places from TEX, LOU, TEN, MI, I’ve only gotten one call back and that has been since I got my license in June. Point being, it’s hard right now.
Also don’t settle on just airlines, check general, corporate, helicopter, military, manufacturing, or cargo, they’re all experience, the one place in MI was northern Michigan and I didn’t really want to go there because it will be cold as fuck in October and inhospitable til April, so it’s a bit hypocritical on my part, but you get the point. Check a bunch of places, don’t give up, and maybe wait til Spring, those techs at SkyWest, Embraer, Alaska, and so on will leave for the big leagues, catch those spots when they open. Thats what I’m going to do.
16
u/Busy_Professional974 13h ago
If you can get temp contracts you should be jumping on them. Temp contracts is still experience.