2005 OBAP Conference Highlights:
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
by Dan Perkins
Samantha
Wilson flies
for Air Cargo Carriers, Inc., and
is a first officer on Shorts 360
aircraft. Air Cargo Carriers, Inc.
is the largest civilian operator of
Shorts aircraft in the world. The
company is headquartered in Milwaukee,
Wisconsin; and has been providing value
added contract feeder air services to
the overnight express industry for the
past thirteen years.
diversityinbusiness.com talked
with Wilson about her career at the
2005 OBAP Annual Conference, which
was held earlier this month in Detroit,
Michigan. Below are edited
highlights from that conversation.
dib: What has been your
aviation career path?
SW:
I began my aviation career with Delta
Airlines in reservations in 1990. I
was there for five years. While I was
there, I decided I wanted to be a flight
attendant. As it turns out, I had to
leave Delta because they were downsizing
and eliminating a number of reservation
offices, including the Washington, D.C.
reservation office where I worked. So I
went to United Airlines where I
became a flight attendant. Even though
I was a flight attendant, the more I
went up to the front of the “bus,” the
more I realized that I could drive the
“bus.” Plus, I liked the view from the
front of the “bus.” So, I took an
educational leave of absence in August
5, 2001, which turned into a furlough.
I got my ratings and ended up getting a
job; and right now I'm working to
procure enough hours to work for a major
carrier.
dib: How many hours will you need
to move up to the majors?
SW:
I’m almost at the minimum for most major
carriers, but I will need many more
hours of flying time to be competitive.
dib: What was the most
difficult part of making the transition
from working in a reservations office to
being a first officer?
SW:
A few years ago, I really needed some
financial assistance to finish of my
training in order to qualify for a
commercial, single-engine rating. OBAP
was kind enough to help me along the way
so I didn't have to stop and become
stagnate.
dib: Did you receive
support from other quarters?
SW:
Yes, I have a great base of friends,
aviation and otherwise. Without their
help, I definitely wouldn’t be where I
am today. I thank them.
dib: Why did you begin with
a cargo carrier?
SW:
Some friends told me that cargo carriers
were hiring. When I looked into it, I
found out that most required candidates
to pay for training (approximately
$12,500), and there just was no way I
could do that. But, I was determined to
get a job. A friend called and told me
about Air Cargo Carriers. When I told
her I couldn’t pay for training, she
told me that they no longer had that as
a requirement. So, I went for an
interview on December 22, 2004, and they
told me that they would see me January
6th. On February 15, 2005, I passed the
exam that qualifies a pilot to fly
commercially.
dib: Now that you’re a
first officer, how does the reality
differ from what you imagined the job to
be like?
SW:
I really didn’t know what to expect, but
I’m so happy doing this. I am happier
doing this than anything else. All of
the pain and suffering that went into
getting this was worthwhile, most
definitely.
dib: What advice would you
give to someone who wants to follow a
similar career path as the one you’ve
taken?
SW:
I say go for it, and don’t listen to the
nay-sayers. Where there’s a will,
there’s a way. People were discouraging
me by saying this whole thing was very
expensive. I could have started the
process a long time ago if I hadn’t
listened to them. There’s money out
there. There are organizations that can
help, like OBAP. As long as you keep
spreading the word about what you want
to do, someone will help. You can start
with an organization called Be A
Pilot, and take an introductory
flight, which costs about $35. That
way, you can be sure piloting is
something you want to do. In addition,
find a mentor who will be with you every
step of the way, so you don’t get
derailed. OBAP can help provide you
with a mentor.
THE
END
