Out-of-work pilots take to the streets seeking new jobs

When two out-of-work pilots, bearing signs that say "Will Fly" and "for Food," appeared on a busy street corner at 6:30 a.m. Thursday, they got honks, a book, offers of money and a teddy bear.

What they want most, however, are flying jobs.

Both were laid off from their corporate pilot positions this month and knowing the best jobs often come by word-of-mouth, they decided to do the extreme — advertise themselves on one of the busiest street corners in the city, Fairview Avenue and the Mercer Street exit off Interstate 5.

Under blue skies and a warm sun, they held up their signs, refusing offers of food from a food-bank volunteer and lots of offers of money, but handing out their résumés. Someone just might know someone who knows someone needing a pilot, they say.

"What we want are jobs," says Chris Campbell, 34, of Ballard. Campbell had been a corporate pilot, flying out of Paine Field in Everett, when his boss decided to sell the aircraft due to the lagging economy. Campbell, the aircraft mechanic and other crew on the Pilatus PC12 were given their layoff notices May 15.

Steffen Schmidt, 35, of Snohomish, was a corporate pilot for Semitool in Everett and was based in Europe until he, too, was given his notice.

Schmidt taught Campbell to fly years ago at the Snohomish Flying Service and they've been friends ever since. They have a combined 7,000 hours of flying experience.

As they stood at the corner, a panhandler approached and said they could "make more money" if they went across the street and stood closer to traffic, at a location where police frequently oust those who beg. But with their creased pants, sports shirts and close-cropped hair, Campbell and Schmidt are far from the typical men who stand on corners holding signs and hoping for attention.

"We want to work. We don't want to be on unemployment," Campbell says.

They've posted advertisements of their availability on a few aviation-related Web sites, but they say jobs are hard to find. They plan to stand on the street corner today and Tuesday, as well.

As traffic roared past, a floatplane flew past overhead. Campbell looked up.

"That's what we want to be doing."

Nancy Bartley: 206-464-8522 or nbartley@seattletimes.com