Expert: David A. NewMyer - 6/12/2004

Question
Hi David,

I found your link on allexperts.com and was wondering if you can help me out.  I graduated from Embry-Riddle in August 2001 (2 weeks before 9/11) with a degree in Airline management and Aviation safety.  Since that time I have not been able to locate a job.  I have looked online and in the papers and every avenue I can think of but I still have had no luck.  I was curious if you have any suggestions on finding a job.  My fiancee and I moved from a small town in New York to Dallas, Texas to attempt to find work in a larger job market.  Any information you have would be useful.  Thank you for your time.  

Answer
Hi, Kevin:

Nice to hear from you.  I will try to assist.

As for the aviation job market in general, it is recovering.  So, the outlook is more optimistic now than it was in 2001, for sure.

As far as the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex, the best aviation job options are with the companies based in and around the area, including:

American Airlines
American Eagle (which is a major-sized airline embedded within American but has its own separate hiring process and website)
Southwest Airlines
Lockheed Martin (this may sound a bit far out for an airline management person, but, I was thinking that almost all of the manufacturers hire "business operatons" people to assist them with their linkages to suppliers, cost estimating on various government contracts and the like...your degree should qualify you for such positions.  Check their website for more information).

and, while not based there, Delta Air Lines has a hub there and might also be a possibility.

In addition, in terms of safety, you might also check out the local Federal Aviation Administration Flight Standards District Office, the DFW Airport itself (they hire entry level airport operations inspectors) and other local airports that relieve or support DFW such as Alliance Airport and Ft. Worth Meacham.

As far as national sources of job listings, if you have not tried Air Jobs Digest, I recommend a three month subscription (cost is around $50).  Call 1-800-AIR-JOBS to order.  Also, these websites are of assistance (maybe you have not seen them all):

www.nationsjob.com/aviation
www.avcrew.com
www.aviationemployment.com
www.aeps.com

Also, our university website might have some items on it that would be of help:

www.aviation.siu.edu

I hope that these suggestions are of assistance.  Best wishes to you.

Sincerely,

David A. NewMyer, Ph.D., Professor and Chair
Aviation Management and Flight
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
http://www.aviation.siu.edu