Advice on Becoming a Mechanic at this Point

[Tom Ahrendt]

SIDA

Security
Identification
Display
Area




Steve

You are correct but in Chicago we have the Chicago Department of Aviation to deal with.

[Steve340]

Oh

lol I thought it was a phonetic SIDA

lol

My bad


Steve

You are correct but in Chicago we have the Chicago Department of Aviation to deal with.

[GlennAB1]

I wouldn't hesitate to start over at 37. I'm probably going to work till 67, maybe even 72.

[brettboat]

Oh

lol I thought it was a phonetic SIDA

lol

My bad


Steve

Steve, CDA is horrible. Only airport worse than MDW/ORD in regards to security is JFK and lagrabage

[brettboat]

No it's not just the CDA. You have US Customs and TSA to recertify with almost annually. The yearly badge renewal is easily the worst part of working at ORD.

You gotta do the same thing at MDW. I don't work in the SIDA, only the AOA thank god! But the guys in the office next to me have a contract to work all the international stuff at MDW so they gotta deal with customs renewal and such. Shit sucks man. I heard if you try and go through the main gate at ORD during the day they use like drug sniffing dogs and open your trunk... Heard it's horrible.

[Rogue55]

I really appreciate all the solid advice from you guys.

I'm thinking if i jump onto this mro at Haeco, assuming they take me, i might be setting myself up for failure. I think i will still put in a resume and see what happens. But I'm leaning towards an 18 month school like AIM.

[(JLewis)]

I really appreciate all the solid advice from you guys.

I'm thinking if i jump onto this mro at Haeco, assuming they take me, i might be setting myself up for failure. I think i will still put in a resume and see what happens. But I'm leaning towards an 18 month school like AIM.

I just read an article online that says delta has started some sort of partnership with AIM in Atlanta and Dallas, so that may be something to look into as well. Personally, I wouldn't recommend going to Haeco as an apprentice mechanic so to speak hoping to get signed off to take your A&P test. You will eventually get signed off after 3 years or so if you are motivated and keep up with all the required documentation, but you will be required to sign a contract committing yourself to the company for 2+ years after they pay for it. Also, I have seen far to many people start out hoping to get signed off and just get caught up in every day life and just lose motivation all together. Before you know it you will have been there 4-5 years making the same shitty wages and working your ass off at a dead end job with no forseable future without your A&P license. Trust me I have seen it happen more than a handful of times. Honestly, if I were you, I would just go to school, get my A&P, and see where it takes me. At least with the A&P you have options and the only limitations are the ones you put on yourself. Like Brett has said there is money out there in this industry and the only thing that holds people with an A&P back are the limitations they place on themselves.

[Steve340]

Laborer at an MRO will suck the life out of you man

Cargo Pits, Paneling, un-paneling, carrying seats in and out of 75,767 is not the way to develop a love of Aviation Maintenance.

[kevbo]

I just read an article online that says delta has started some sort of partnership with AIM in Atlanta and Dallas, so that may be something to look into as well. Personally, I wouldn't recommend going to Haeco as an apprentice mechanic so to speak hoping to get signed off to take your A&P test. You will eventually get signed off after 3 years or so if you are motivated and keep up with all the required documentation, but you will be required to sign a contract committing yourself to the company for 2+ years after they pay for it. Also, I have seen far to many people start out hoping to get signed off and just get caught up in every day life and just lose motivation all together. Before you know it you will have been there 4-5 years making the same shitty wages and working your ass off at a dead end job with no forseable future without your A&P license. Trust me I have seen it happen more than a handful of times. Honestly, if I were you, I would just go to school, get my A&P, and see where it takes me. At least with the A&P you have options and the only limitations are the ones you put on yourself. Like Brett has said there is money out there in this industry and the only thing that holds people with an A&P back are the limitations they place on themselves.

I think you are seeing too much value in the A&P. There are sooo many out there and it's not required to do the job. Pilots are the only ones that have to be certificated and get automatic career progression from GA to regional then major, mechanics don't. No amount of education, experience, or seniority will guarantee a promotion. My pilot friends are all making captain right now, from seniority alone. I would be getting day shift if my job had not been sent to Mexico. All my airline experience won't even get an interview. Go figure.

[Rogue55]

I just read an article online that says delta has started some sort of partnership with AIM in Atlanta and Dallas, so that may be something to look into as well. Personally, I wouldn't recommend going to Haeco as an apprentice mechanic so to speak hoping to get signed off to take your A&P test. You will eventually get signed off after 3 years or so if you are motivated and keep up with all the required documentation, but you will be required to sign a contract committing yourself to the company for 2+ years after they pay for it. Also, I have seen far to many people start out hoping to get signed off and just get caught up in every day life and just lose motivation all together. Before you know it you will have been there 4-5 years making the same shitty wages and working your ass off at a dead end job with no forseable future without your A&P license. Trust me I have seen it happen more than a handful of times. Honestly, if I were you, I would just go to school, get my A&P, and see where it takes me. At least with the A&P you have options and the only limitations are the ones you put on yourself. Like Brett has said there is money out there in this industry and the only thing that holds people with an A&P back are the limitations they place on themselves.

I know AIM will be a more expensive route, but maybe not if it saves me from years of sweat shop work with nothing to show for it. Especially if I can keep my current job and go there nights and weekends which they offer. I know the A&P is just the beginning but it will also open options that are not necessarily aviation related. We will see where it takes me for sure.