New Job 2 - Electric Boogaloo

Sam D said:
At our company, the exit interviews are conducted by HR and then shared with the executive team. They are reviewed, and they are discussed. This tone is set by the CEO who personally reads them and follows-up on issues. They have been helpful to me to identify issues that are occurring two or three levels removed from me that I am unaware of. These are typically the kinds of issues that in and of themselves are not what caused the person to exit. Rather they were annoyances that we can work to address in the future. However, sometimes we did just screw up.
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sounds helpful. although if lower level mgmt would listen to this stuff to begin with, maybe people wouldn't leave. TAKE NOTE, eman1200's manager!!!!!!!
 
overdrive148 said:
Well, today was my last day. Surprisingly the GM has been trying to make up for the things I noted to the HR manager (employee of the month for the last 2 months was done yesterday and the GM is admittedly trying to at least look like he cares). There is also talk of the company going to double time instead of 1.5x for overtime for call-in's all of a sudden. Its a start. Thanks for all the advice by the way.

ZvL1NLn.jpg

I guess they liked me a bit. Can't remember the last time anyone got cake without a birthday!

So now I have my flight review tomorrow morning bright and early and then training starts on the 4th. Still nervous!
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Chris?
 
Who has two thumbs, a bad time on the radio, and a brand stinkin new flight review?

This guy!

1 hour on the ground and 1.1 on the hobbs. C172 out of Grand Prairie. Taxi, runup, takeoff, climbs, turns, slow flight, both types of stalls, emergency procedures, pattern entry, 1 touch and go and a full stop. Slight bounce on the touch and go.

And the cherry on top centerline greaser on the full stop.

I am on top of the world!

Now I have to figure out how to get my 107 online.
 
Kiddo's Driver said:
It is straight forward. It will take you maybe 1/2 a day. A day at most.
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Okay, just finished the online FAA Safety course for Part 107 and aced the exam. Now I need to find a CFI willing to verify identity and then I get an emailed copy, correct...? Working on IACRA now.

//edit

IACRA application complete, now I just have to print out the paperwork and find a CFI. Just called up 2 schools and neither wants anything to do with the Part 107 signoff. My instructor this morning had never heard of it either.

The FSDO is up in Irving. I might have to drive up there.

//edit edit

The FSDO in Irving says they do walk-ins for Part 107 on Tuesdays from 12-4pm and Fridays from 8-12am. Looks like I have to wait until tomorrow...
 
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Pretty busy morning. Showed up to the FSDO this morning bright and early and got my temporary certificate Looks like I did everything right! I will get the real card in the main in about 2 months.

Right after I got out of the FSDO I got a phone call from my new boss asking how things were going. As it turns out, all of future co-worker pilots are all down in Corpus Christi. I will be heading to San Antonio to do HR paperwork early next week and then I'll be going straight into the frying pan in Corpus for who knows how long. Apparently hotels and places to stay are pretty short there and they are working out of a base camp. Not gonna lie, kind of nervous, never been to a natural disaster area but here goes nothing!

Also probably a good time to ask for any tips and things to avoid in such areas...
 
overdrive148 said:
IACRA application complete, now I just have to print out the paperwork and find a CFI. Just called up 2 schools and neither wants anything to do with the Part 107 signoff. My instructor this morning had never heard of it either.
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That is so ridiculous. FAA has a decent doc out now on how instructors should handle 107 stuff and it's brain dead simple.

How in the world would a current instructor "not hear of" the drone stuff over the last few years?!
 
So, update time!

I was in San Antonio for a couple days and then moved on to Corpus Christi for my first real flights. Lots of wind damage down there! Got to stay in an RV instead of a campsite which is pretty good.

Then I hauled everything back to DFW and have flown the last 3 days in the north Dallas area. Just a home or two a day, but now I'm getting 3-4. It is getting easier, my first home took nearly the allotted 2 hours (ground pictures and aerial shots) and now I'm down to an hour or so depending on the house.

I have 4 tomorrow and one of them is within spitting distance (500ft) of an approach end of a runway in North Dallas. Because of airspace I'm not required to stay low (up to 400ft) but I am going to because I'm not stupid. I don't have a handheld yet (or a car or a card) but they are working on that. I get to be that guy flying around... apologies in advance! I'll go as quickly as I can. :p

So far the company has been really hit hard by the hurricanes and everyone's in scramble mode. They are still trying to get my timecard set up (from my start date of a week ago) and send me the rest of the stuff I need to do my job. As well as reimburse me for my gas/mileage/hours/etc that I spent driving all around Texas. But the job is beginning to be fun instead of just stress. Airspace analysis, preflights, maneuvering, talking with homeowners and passerby's about the process, all kinds of fun! Seeing new areas in DFW that I've not been to before is pretty cool too.
 
Just over the two month mark. Check this out!

tkqcX2F.jpg


This is a (self generated) map of all of the houses I have flown for hail and wind damage in the DFW area. I am getting pretty good at it. Lots and lots of driving though. The job is going well but there are (with any job) minor frustrations and other things but I am dealing with them as they come.

The majority of this damage happened earlier this year in storm season.
 
overdrive148 said:
Just over the two month mark. Check this out!


This is a (self generated) map of all of the houses I have flown for hail and wind damage in the DFW area. I am getting pretty good at it. Lots and lots of driving though. The job is going well but there are (with any job) minor frustrations and other things but I am dealing with them as they come.

The majority of this damage happened earlier this year in storm season.
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It's been a while. Latest updates needed!
 
Gerhardt said:
It's been a while. Latest updates needed!
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It has been pretty great! Went and flew a cell tower or two in AR which was fun:

BIwoJDQ.png


While I was there, my boss told me that I was very close to having the most (drone) flight hours in the company in only ~2.5 months. I am now 4 months in and I've clocked 63.5 hours of flight time, 180 inspections, and 389,000 ft flown.

So far I have only had one in-flight failure which was a gimbal gyroscope motor failure. The gimbal starting making some grinding noises audible from the ground. I landed the drone and called my boss about it and he said it was okay to fly and finish the last of the inspection. I took off, snapped a bit more of the house and the camera started wobbling all over the place. The most recent firmware update also made it so that the video feed would flip vertically occasionally in forward flight with the camera fully down. I didn't think it was possible to get spatial D from a drone! I landed without issue and drove down to pick up a replacement from the HQ. I got to travel with the wife for the first time on work's dime for that one, they even put us up in a hotel since it's a bit of a drive!

All in all, it's still a pretty great job. I took it up on Thanksgiving to show the in-laws how it works and did a mock inspection on their roof. The wife even flew it a little (just wait until I get current enough to fly her in the real thing!)
 
Checking in. Had an interesting development today.

I was (recently) added to the training team, gaining duties of reviewing our contractor's home inspections and sending out feedback/improvement based on the feedback from the end user and my own experience. The problem is that the experience levels across the training team members varies widely and there is little consistency. I am still the only full time drone pilot in the company, with the most flight hours and the only person to never have a home inspection turned down.

Long story short, the boss called in and said that he wanted to pitch something to me - they want to create a position for a training/network development/feedback coordinator position (some amalgamation of those words, I get to pick) and stick me in it as the sole person coordinating training of XX+ network pilots plus new ones. The boss said that either they hire someone and train them to my point (which would take a lot of time) or slot me in and hire another full time drone pilot. They want to do the latter. I said that I would be interested and that I'd help out and make it work.

So basically I get to head the training division and come up with my own way to handle the workload the way I want. And work from home to boot. The only downside is....pay. I feel like I'm due for a raise at this point due to performance (8 months, flawless inspection record, highest drone hours in the company, most inspections flown, referred to by VP as "the drone subject matter expert", tapped to be a trainer for DFW drone pilots once onboarded, 100% fluent with in-company software and processes, etc). I was considering asking for a raise before this point because while I'm making decent money, it still isn't enough for the level of responsibility and independence that I have. I never know my schedule more than 12 hours in advance to go anywhere at all. I'm dependable, reliable, timely, and completely autonomous without any input from the main office other than scheduling. Over the last few months I've been shifted from 5+ jobs a day close to home to 1-3 jobs 2-3 hours away that no contract pilots will take.

I feel like I can ask for a raise but I'm not sure how. I feel guilty for it but I know it's business - I felt guilty enough when I asked for more money before signing on when they offered the job.

Thoughts?
 
Consider your successes, skill advancements, added responsibilities, reduced supervision by others, and now a new position with more duties.

Yeah, you need a raise. Good for you.
 
overdrive148 said:
So basically I get to head the training division and come up with my own way to handle the workload the way I want. And work from home to boot. The only downside is....pay. I feel like I'm due for a raise at this point due to performance (8 months, flawless inspection record, highest drone hours in the company, most inspections flown, referred to by VP as "the drone subject matter expert", tapped to be a trainer for DFW drone pilots once onboarded, 100% fluent with in-company software and processes, etc). I was considering asking for a raise before this point because while I'm making decent money, it still isn't enough for the level of responsibility and independence that I have.

I feel like I can ask for a raise but I'm not sure how. I feel guilty for it but I know it's business - I felt guilty enough when I asked for more money before signing on when they offered the job.

Thoughts?
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I think I'd wait for a full year with the company and see if they bring up the raise first. They obviously like what you're doing to this point. A few more months as Mr. Drone, including training the noobs, will only add to your resume. I think the one year mark would be a natural conversation starter on compensation.
 
noobJohn said:
I think I'd wait for a full year with the company and see if they bring up the raise first. They obviously like what you're doing to this point. A few more months as Mr. Drone, including training the noobs, will only add to your resume. I think the one year mark would be a natural conversation starter on compensation.
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Any time there is a change in responsibility there is a valid opportunity to discuss compensation.
 
catmandu said:
It still amazes me, 23 years later, how often the ' XXXXX -2, Electric Boogaloo' tagline shows up in conversation. I thought I was unique, throwing it out occasionally over the years, until about the third time I heard someone completely out of my social circle use it.
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Does anyone else tag on "the revenge" when referencing the 3rd iteration?

Or am I the only one?
 
Clark1961 said:
Any time there is a change in responsibility there is a valid opportunity to discuss compensation.
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I agree with this. It's worth the discussion. But don't walk in and give them what sounds like an ultimatum. That may get you a raise for now, but it tends to leave a bad taste in the employers mouth...
 
overdrive148 said:
I feel like I can ask for a raise but I'm not sure how. I feel guilty for it but I know it's business - I felt guilty enough when I asked for more money before signing on when they offered the job.

Thoughts?
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"Does this increase in job responsibility and duties come with an increase in compensation?"

If not, then "What do I need to accomplish to earn an increase, and how long should that take?"
 
jsstevens said:
I agree with this. It's worth the discussion. But don't walk in and give them what sounds like an ultimatum. That may get you a raise for now, but it tends to leave a bad taste in the employers mouth...
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^Truth. You are being given a new position/authority/areas of responsibility, which is adequate grounds for a compensation discussion. However, your relatively short tenure with the company means that I'd tread lightly, as it could come off as being petty if you get too aggressive.

JOhnH said:
"Does this increase in job responsibility and duties come with an increase in compensation?"

If not, then "What do I need to accomplish to earn an increase, and how long should that take?"
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Excellent way to construct the inquiry without coming off as offensive. It also shows initiative to do whatever it takes to earn the increase in pay.
 
JOhnH said:
"Does this increase in job responsibility and duties come with an increase in compensation?"

If not, then "What do I need to accomplish to earn an increase, and how long should that take?"
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Used this verbiage, they are giving me a 10% raise. Thanks for the advice guys! Shaking after the call
 
Zeldman said:
Not bad..... when will you need to hire an assistant..?? :smilewinkgrin:
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I'll have my people call your people. When I get people that is!

The job title is the only thing left... I'm not sure what to call myself. What would you call a person managing quality and training of a network of contract pilots across the U.S., interfacing with contracted companies and relaying information about efforts to improve our product, and other fun stuff?

I was thinking CEO but that job title is already taken...
 
overdrive148 said:
I'll have my people call your people. When I get people that is!

The job title is the only thing left... I'm not sure what to call myself. What would you call a person managing quality and training of a network of contract pilots across the U.S., interfacing with contracted companies and relaying information about efforts to improve our product, and other fun stuff?

I was thinking CEO but that job title is already taken...
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If they don't mind, having the title of "chief pilot" might have some additional benifits later on ;)
 
Head, Training and Quality Directorate
Director - Quality and Training
Training and Quality Czar
Crown Princess - Training

...some of those choices may be bad...
 
Grand Poobah of All Things Technical was my (unofficial) title for a time. I have the hat to prove it.
 
Say thanks for the job you really enjoyed working there, better opportunity and more money. Don’t burn bridges.


Edit, missed the date of op, lol. Still reading through, did a double take when got to Norman’s post then figured it out.
 
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jsstevens said:
If you can provide some constructive feedback without making it adversarial I would. I have in fact. But otherwise just stay professional and thank them for the opportunity.
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Depends on how they manage the exit interview. Are you talking with an HR drone who will put it in a file to never be looked at again, or are you talking to the owner who told you that you did a great job, yadda, yadda. If you are talking to someone who appreciated you (even if they didn't pay you what you think you're worth) and who you genuinely want to succeed, there are Karma points for providing professional constructive feedback. You can even intro it as "I'm a bit worried as I think I did a solid job and I want to have a solid reference from you, but I want to see you succeed and there are some areas I saw that could use improvement."

If it's an HR drone, get a receipt for the uniform.
 
overdrive148 said:
Checking in. Had an interesting development today.

I was (recently) added to the training team, gaining duties of reviewing our contractor's home inspections and sending out feedback/improvement based on the feedback from the end user and my own experience. The problem is that the experience levels across the training team members varies widely and there is little consistency. I am still the only full time drone pilot in the company, with the most flight hours and the only person to never have a home inspection turned down.

Long story short, the boss called in and said that he wanted to pitch something to me - they want to create a position for a training/network development/feedback coordinator position (some amalgamation of those words, I get to pick) and stick me in it as the sole person coordinating training of XX+ network pilots plus new ones. The boss said that either they hire someone and train them to my point (which would take a lot of time) or slot me in and hire another full time drone pilot. They want to do the latter. I said that I would be interested and that I'd help out and make it work.

So basically I get to head the training division and come up with my own way to handle the workload the way I want. And work from home to boot. The only downside is....pay. I feel like I'm due for a raise at this point due to performance (8 months, flawless inspection record, highest drone hours in the company, most inspections flown, referred to by VP as "the drone subject matter expert", tapped to be a trainer for DFW drone pilots once onboarded, 100% fluent with in-company software and processes, etc). I was considering asking for a raise before this point because while I'm making decent money, it still isn't enough for the level of responsibility and independence that I have. I never know my schedule more than 12 hours in advance to go anywhere at all. I'm dependable, reliable, timely, and completely autonomous without any input from the main office other than scheduling. Over the last few months I've been shifted from 5+ jobs a day close to home to 1-3 jobs 2-3 hours away that no contract pilots will take.

I feel like I can ask for a raise but I'm not sure how. I feel guilty for it but I know it's business - I felt guilty enough when I asked for more money before signing on when they offered the job.

Thoughts?
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So I always let it be known that money motivates me in work when asked. Worked well for me but your mileage may vary. I think you should go back, tell the boss that you really appreciate him noticing your hard work and his faith in you. Then ask if the new job comes with a pay increase. Just say it and wait. If the answer is yes, then great, if no or you aren’t happy with the increase then wait until a year is up and start looking again. It’s an employee job market out there, sometimes employers don’t realize it when that happens and are slow on the uptake.
 
Apparently the vote irl is in favor of "Enterprise Quality and Training Manager"

Or Training and Quality Manager. Not sure which sounds better
 
.

This calls for an award!

.

 
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