5 Things That Suck About Being An A&P Aircraft Mechanic.
Вставка
- Опубліковано 25 кві 2023
- Here is my list of 5 things in the aviation industry that can suck as an A&P. I would like to preface this by saying I absolutely love my job. There have been tuff times, hard days, long hours, and immense pressure. However, being an aircraft mechanic has been incredibly rewarding and I have done so much in my life because of it. I still strongly recommend anyone who wants to go into aviation to go for it.
Video breakdown
0:44 1. Work Hours.
2:56 2. Weather.
4:35 3. Safety.
7:10 4. Lay Offs
8:51 5. Small world.
As always,
Be Easy.
If you want to be an aircraft mechanic make sure to check out my videos on getting an A&P, Be, Easy.
I’m at Delta. As a topped out AMT we are in the 60’s an hour. Which is 6 years. New hires can get Monday to Friday depending on what shop/department you are at. So 80 percent of guys are in the 6 figures period unless you are new. When you want to cross into the 200’s which is pretty common, that’s when you volunteer for the overtime. Working with JetBlue 2 years and Delta now 8 years, Delta all the way. The culture makes it a no brainer. Find an engine shop I recommend, or overhaul maintenance where top out is 60-80/hr , love your job and invest well.
People think aircraft mechanic is so glamorous but you work in cramped spaces, everything is sharp and delicate and hard to replace, it's maddening.
I’m a 35 year avionics tech with a major airline…$62 ish an hour…HOWEVER, like you said, I work a lot of OT in a shop environment. I will clear over $300k this year I’m sure of it, but yes, what you said is largely true about many issues. Get off the line and into a shop when you have seniority if you can…work slow, thorough and safe!! You know a lot for a young dude.
I’m an AMT at a major airline in LAX .. As someone that’s worked for various companies.. This is easily the best job I’ve ever had .. Of course there’s some nights where it gets a little rough but I think they comes with any job .. Overall I have fun and is very rewarding
As a retired A&P I miss being with those people and those beautiful birds everyday. You take the good with the bad yet you knew what you did day in and day out that it mattered. Tens of thousands of lives depend on your actions daily. What a great calling.
Im about to start school for my a&p licenses. I’ve been an automotive mechanic for some time now. The insight here is very helpful. Every industry has their own little quirks.
Something to consider when working for one of the major airlines is seniority. After 3 to 5 years you are pretty much locked to that carrier, you can't jump ship and move to another airline without completely starting over and seniority means everything from station and shift assignments to vacation bids, days off, boarding priority for travel and pay scale progression. The 'B-scale' pay nowadays is ridiculous, it can take up to 5 years just to get fully vetted. The travel benefits are nothing like they used to be when there was an actual first class. Business class is always filled with upgrades and standby almost always means a middle seat in economy but if you want to travel well, it is free so you got that. I did 33 years with United as an R&E avionics on the line. Took the early out offer during covid and now restoring my '46 Luscombe 8E with a '46 Swift GC-1B project on the back burner. No regrets about anything.
Great video with some good insights. I relocated from NYC (after years of being a property manager) to Texas during the height of Covid Jun/2021(and the mass exodus of city residents), with the ambitions of enrolling in a part 147 school, which I successful did. As of 10/19/23 I have completed part 147 schooling with an associates and already passed all 3 written exams (general, airframe & powerplant) on my 1st attempt. Now gearing up to take my O&P’s in the San Antonio area before securing a job with a local MRO. It was very rigorous and often times very intimidating for me, being that I never worked around airplanes before (especially out at hangars in the harsh Texas summers). But with faith & sincere focus I completed the goal of recalibrating my life in a completely different direction. Thanks again for the video
If you find something that sucks you’re not in the right career! I been going at it for 33 yrs and still love it !
about to start school for my a&p, thank you for the heads up, very informative!
20 year A&P here. A very accurate video. I left aviation the end of 2001, and not much seems to have changed, for good or ill.
I was in the military United States Coast Guard helicopter rescue for 23 years. This is a whole nother story. Put your right on the mark on this one. It's definitely not an easy career to deal with. Thank You for putting this video out for young men and women that want to get into Aviation.
Nice job with the details. Spot on about don’t burn bridges. Aircraft mechanics are such a different breed and a brotherhood. It is very hard work. One thing maybe you have stressed as well is just how important the paperwork is…. I. Aviation Mx you might turn wrenches for 15 minutes but the paperwork and ensuring the S/N’s, P/N’s AMM/IPC/SRM reference are perfect!!
Coming from small industry, I agree with your sentiments. Insightful video!
Thank you so much for the information. Being a single dude with no kids, Coming from the Marines, and after listening to all the cons, it doesn’t sounds bad at all specially because I’m very mechanically inclined and I would definitely love this job! Can’t wait to get started next year!
You are obsoletely right. I worked for United for 28 years. I didn't deal with the sun because I only had 28 years seniority. I was on Mids. I really loved the work. And by the way I have been married for over 40 years. Not much traveling though. Had to work a weird schedule. Now that I am retired, I can travel more, but there no more first class. Really miss it.
Right now is a great time to become a mechanic because of the shortage and pretty much all the majors have raised their pay. I work 3/12s and love it.
Where were you when I was in school. Excellent advice !. Just got my A&P on April 17. Been with big airline for 27 years,
You gave an excellent description of working in the aircraft industry. I was a design engineer usually working long and hard on design of a new aircraft B727 B737 Chinook Helicopter etc and same applies good pay long hours know every body and lay off if contract finished or changed . Moved to various companies so moving family . Worked a a Civilian Engineer for Airforce and when they move you go or be layed off. So luckily got to work for Government as Certification Engineer. Not payed as much but steady employment and pension so retired now . By and at large tho I enjoyed my working life and worked until I was 80. Make a lot of good friends but ya gotta be flexible!