Need Advice: Aircraft Maintenance

[Shaun Tucker]

Hey Guys,



Where else to get good advice, but from MYST.com?



I've been having a tough time with my career choice lately. I'm a graphic designer working for the local school board currently. When I applied for the position I had hopes that it would grow and expand and I'd learn a lot from it. Well I'm still learning things from my supervisor, but I've found through appealing to the Union that the job is not going to grow or shift (with regards to certain duties, qualifications, and pay). I've had another Graphic Design job for 3 years before I was hired with the school board, So I've built up a bit of experience and know what the profession entails at this point.



Well today I discovered that one of my buddys is going through college for Aircraft Maintenance. I have been in love with Aircraft and vehicles since I was a child so this kind of appealed to me. I checked out the course being offered and it looks like it would be a pretty cool career.



Then I checked out the Canadian Forces website to see if any career opportunites exist with them, and they do (obviously).



So my options, if I want to pursue them, are:



a) go to College in Ottawa for 2 years and find a company like Air Canada, or perhaps some warplane heritage museum (dream job)



b) enlist in the Canadian Forces, go through boot camp, serve in the regular forces and hope to one day work my way up the ranks and work on miltary aircraft.



Im wondering if there are any Aircraft Mechanics out here on MYST.com that could provide some insight into the profession. Or if any of you guys have any insight that could help a very confused, career-searching mind at ease I'd be most appreciative.



Im 26, and I'm trying to figure out what exactly I want to do with my life. This seemed like a decent option.



Thanks

 

[Keola P]

Hey Shaun, I think I know exactly what you're going through. I'm in a similar situation myself. You probably feel like you've invested so much time and effort into graphic design that you're torn between ditching what you've thought you committed yourself to doing, and doing what you love.



My suggestion is to go with what you love and what you're passionate about. It doesn't matter how you get there, although option "a" sounds to be more of a sure thing. Go for it ASAP, no regrets!!!



Just got through reading a book by New York Time's best selling author Dr. John C. Maxwell. One of the things I remembered most in the book is the statement "Don't let yourself look back longingly to a time when you should have chased your true dreams".



Good Luck, HST

 

[Richard L]

Nobody can really tell you if you will like the job. You might want to see if there is someplace that will give you a good aptitude test and see if you really have the aptitude for aircraft maintenance? Because you have an interest does not mean you actually have the aptitude for it. If you have the interest and the aptitude for the job, then you will very likely be sucessfull.



The military may be a good starting point. You can go in for a few years, get your feet wet and if you like it you can stay in, or get out with the necessary training and experience that will make the transition to civilian aviation mechanics much easier.



My brother-in-law was an Aircraft mechanic in the Navy on the USS Enterprise aircraft carrier. When he got out he worked as a carpenter until he got injured at work. Now he is an ordained minister and a plumbing supply salesman. I don't know how military aircraft maintenance differs from civilian aircraft maintenance, but he did not want to pursue aircraft maintenance after he left the Navy.



My reason for suggesting that you take an aptitude test to see if you are suited for aviation and aircraft mainenance. is because the military will test you and may accept or reject you for that occupational area based on the results of that test. If you have to enlist before you take the test, you might be stuck in what ever *** they decide to put you in/



If you really have an interest in aviation and aircraft maintenance, by all means pursue it, even if an aptitude test says that is not your best career. That may even drive you harder to succeed.



I started out in my military career as a clerk. I had very high scores on all my tests including electronics and mechanics, but I knew how to type, and lowest score (in clerical work) was much higher than the average guy that I ended up as a clerk.



Three years later I had the opportunity to get into the computer field, and liked it enough that I changed my military job (MOS) to the computer field. 5 years later I was a programmer/Analyst and Senior Instructor at the US Army Institute of Administration at Ft. Harrison, IN (now closed) teaching all facets of computer science to American and foreign mlitary personel of all ranks. I was promoted E-7 while in the secondary zone which only promotes the top 3% of the soldiers in that career field.



I have been in the Computer field for over 43 years now and I still enjoy it.



...Rich

 

[Shaun Tucker]

"Don't let yourself look back longingly to a time when you should have chased your true dreams".

HST,

You hit the nail on the head with that one dude. Definitely been one of my top ten thoughts this week. lol



Nice to see you back on the board. Been surfing those huge waves in Hawaii lately?





Thanks for the advice Richard L. I appreciate it immensely. Its nice to hear about your military experience (the career end of things) so that it can give me a little perspective on civilain vs. military service.



I've been considering going to a career counsellor to take an aptitude test and figure out where I fit into things. I guess I should go that route before making any decisions.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Rich brings up a GREAT point about the aptitude test... Something to SERIOUSLY consider no matter what your thoughts are, it will be great information to have,



In the states, you can often get a contract to ensure you will get your choice of duty. By that, if their tests indicate that you can in fact be a plane mechanic, then they will sign a contract with you and all is good.



I joined the service with a contract and got everything plus what I was promised.



If you can do the military thing, you would be nuts not to. They will pay you, feed you, and train you. Hard to beat that. However, I would only do it if I could get a contract.





No one's word will mean a thing once you are in, trust me on that.



Good luck with your dreams,,,

 

[Gavin Allan]

Good point on the Aptitude testing. Also, try to spend a few days job shadowing a few aircraft mechanics in different environments. See if you really like the work and conditions.



Good luck!

 

[Clay Campbell]

If you ever move to the U.S., specifically North Carolina, you have a graphic design job waiting for ya. My dad is a graphic designer and started his own business a couple years ago. Since then his biggest problem is finding an employee that will pay the proper attention to detail that the job requires.

 

[Richard L]

I agree with Coastiejoe, however you need to watch what they put down in the enlistment contracts. I know a lot of guy who signed up for the military occupation that the recruiter put down and it was the wrong MOS (military Occupational Specialty). Make sure they spell it out and don't use the military job codes because some recruiters have put in a different job code because the military did not need anymore of what they guy was signing up for, so they simply used a non-descriptive code for another field..sometimes closesly related...and sometimes not?



...Rich

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Once again, Rich has provided sound advice.



As I said above, if you can do the military thing, it is a GREAT opportunity. Where else can you be trained and fed and get paid while you are doing it.



I joined with the intention to get some skills and then hit the world. I retired with 23-years under my belt. It them got me a VERY good job that I am very happy with.



So for me, it was a perfect choice. But that is the thing behind choices. You have to venture into them a bit before you see where the path is going...

 

[mookie]

I am an Aviation Maintenance Technician (Aircraft Mechanic) and work for Continental Airlines. Been there 25 1/2 years.



It's a good job for me as I am on dayshift, now. I spent a lot of years on graveyard shift and was considering quitting because of that. Check into that if working dayshift matters to you. There is heavy-check work that is around-the-clock at the major maintenance facilities, but at out stations it will be overnight checks (when most planes are on the ground) with a few mechanics working days/swing to cover the aircraft turns (between flights).



Like I said, I like it. If you like highly-detailed work to high tolerances, it may be for you. There is only one way to do a particular aircraft job correctly and that is by the manual. There isn't room for creativity or a "this is good enough" attitude. So if you are a "by-the-book" type of guy, you will fit right in. It helps if you have a creative outlet away from work.



Any specific questions?

 

[Bud Williams]

Good advice Richard about the aptitude test.

I worked in Avionics for 16 years in the Air Force.

Great job, I took an early retirement in 1996.

Haven't turned a wrench on an aircraft since.

I got burnt out working maintenence.

I've been in sales and have worked in security since I retired.

The Canadian Forces are pretty good, seems they really take care of their people,

Was TDY at a Canadian forces base in Germany in 1985 for a few weeks.

They really fed us well and the troops were really nice to be with.

Consider your options wisely, make sure you have the temperment for the military.

Some folks can't handle the military too well.

Good luck on your career choice.



Bud

 

[Robert Poole]

I work at aircraft maintenance at Delta Airlines. Been here for almost 3 years after the Ford plant I worked at closed down. You need to see if you have the mechanical aptitude for the job. Also if you want, apply at any of the major airlines and see if their are hiring. You can get your foot in the door and see what it is like working around airplanes. Also check out some of the tech schools in your area to see if they have a AMT program. Mookie is correct, if you go A/C maintenance, make sure that dayshift isn't an issue. Keep us informed how you go. I was in the Military and there is nothing wrong with that option either.



Have a good one



Bob

 

[Shaun Tucker]

Thanks everyone. ALOT of sound advice. You guys are the greatest.



I will keep you informed as to my direction in life hahaha

 

[Gavin Allan]

Here's wishing that your career soon takes off! :lol::lol:

 

[Keola P]

Yeah Shaun it's great to be back. Had a bunch of computer problems and work related priorities to take care of for the past month or so.



As far as the surf, I did catch some of it while the swell was leveling off. My big wave days are over...to much to live for at this point. When it reaches a certain size, the fun get's tossed out and it's all about survival.