The $10,000 Lesson

Let’s get one thing straight: You get what you negotiate for—even if you don’t “deserve” it. Seriously.

Too many of us in the hangar spend hours perfecting safety checks and troubleshooting engine issues but forget one of the most critical career skills: negotiation. And no, I’m not talking about a hostage situation (save that for the movies). Negotiation done right is the opposite of strong-arming. It’s respectful, honest, and—if you’re lucky—lucrative.

Meet Andrew

A buddy of mine—let’s call him Andrew—was working an entry-level mechanic apprentice job at about $22 an hour. Nice gig, but he had six years of military experience maintaining 12 helicopters and leading a team of 50. Not exactly rookie status.

Andrew was frustrated that his pay didn’t reflect the value he brought to the hangar. Even though he was technically an apprentice, he still had mountains of real-world leadership and maintenance know-how. But guess what? His boss had no clue about his background. Andrew’s resume was bare-bones, with just two sentences about his time in the military.

The Master Plan

After hearing Andrew’s story, I took a look at his resume and asked a bunch of questions:

• What did you actually do day to day?

• How did you create value within your team?

• What leadership challenges did you face (and conquer)?

I recorded his answers and plugged them into ChatGPT, along with his existing resume, to help summarize his skills in plain English. Chat GPT spit out a draft, which we tweaked to sound more like Andrew—fewer buzzwords, more authenticity.

Within 45 minutes, we had a brand-new resume and a compelling email explaining why Andrew’s background made him worth more than $22 an hour. Then he hit “send.”

The Raise

A few days later, the boss replied: Andrew was getting a $5 bump. That’s roughly $10,000 a year just for asking. Let that sink in—ten grand, just like that.

Of course, the hangar gossip mill kicked into high gear. Some folks insisted Andrew didn’t “deserve” that raise. After all, he was still new to the A&P world, still learning on the job, the same as everyone else.

But that’s the beauty of negotiation: it’s not always about “deserve.” It’s about clearly stating your value—politely, confidently, and in terms that your boss understands.

The Big Takeaway

If negotiating for a raise feels more nerve-racking than running an engine test at night in the rain, try this mental hack:

“Wouldn’t it be funny if I just asked for more money?”

As long as you’re respectful and not holding anyone hostage (seriously, don’t do that), the worst you’ll hear is “no.” Even then, management now knows you’re a motivated mechanic who isn’t afraid to speak up. Believe it or not, bosses love initiative like that.

So, if you’re reading this in the break room during a lull in the action, ask yourself:

• Am I happy with what I’m earning?

• Have I shown my employer the full scope of my value?

If the answer’s no, do yourself (and your bank account) a favor: negotiate. The difference between your current paycheck and what you could be earning might be a simple question away.

Stay curious, stay safe, and remember: in this industry—and in life—you get what you negotiate for.