Advice-Pilot with 750tt and 150 multi

[Superpilot92]

I am currently flight instructing and hold my CFI/CFII/MEI. I have been instructing for alittle under a year. Does anyone know of a company or place I can go work and build alittle bit more TT and Multi-engine time. I Have 750tt and 150 multi and its not that I dont like instructing but I want to get out there and do something different. There is only so much stalls and steep turns one person likes to do especially in Texas. I am ready for some real world flying. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[mmmdonut]

Do you have any interest in working for the regionals? They are hiring people with your hours.(and less)

 

[Superpilot92]

I have already put in application for XJET. Waiting on the call. I know a few people working there and in the training center. It is my under standing that they are on hold for phone calls till Jan. I really want to work at XJET, I interned there and would love to go back and work on the line. I am really hoping on a phone call soon.

 

[scubabri]

Personally, I say teach for another few months and then go find a 135 job and build experience up. If you are young, don't be in a hurry to get to a regional. Just because they are hiring at low time doesn't mean it's your best choice or a good idea.

When I had your time, which wasn't to long ago, I didn't know how much I had to learn, now that I have more time under my belt, I realize how much I still have to learn and how important that is when it comes down to you to make a life or death decision.

At this point in my career, I don't see how I could have gone directly to a regional, and been able to learn all of the stuff I've learned by flying skydivers, delivering aircraft, being a flight instructor and currently flying 135 charter.

There is a lot of stuff to learn, your best way to learn it is going to be out there flying in diverse conditions.

Build up your multi time, and go fly cargo or 135 charter for a year or so and then go try a regional.

If the regionals are stable, they'll be there when you have the experience built up, if they are not stable, probably better to be at a 135 job flying as a captain than to be furloughed.

Right now, the regionals pay carp, you might want to also think about working cargo or charter, saving up some cash to pad your lifestyle for a couple years whenever you do go to a regional.

The other thing to consider is why you became a pilot. As I look forward to the rest of my career, I realize that some of the best flying I am doing is right now. I wake up and can't wait to go to work and fly. Granted, I've got a pretty cool 135 gig, but I've heard from other senior types that some of the most fun they had was building time flying cargo or whatever.

When you get to the regional, you won't be the master of your ship for a very long time, that means something to me

good luck

sb

 

[Superpilot92]

I am about to turn 24 and I have a wife and a baby due in March. So i think that the regionals are where i need to go. The lifestyle for me would be alittle bit easier. Since i interned there I have at least one foot in the door so to speak. I think flight instructing is a great way to build experiance however there is a point when it seems the learning has been done. I have learned alot in the past year instructing all types of students Private, inst, comm, multi but when the majority of your flying is out in the same practice area and shooting the same approaches everyday i dont feel that i am learning as much as i would flying 135 or 121 regionals. I know that if given the opportunity to fly with XJET i would work hard and continue to learn even after flying on the line. I have already made it through the systems course there when i was interning so i know i can do that and i feel that from the many Instrument students and multi students i have taught i know my IFR proceedures. I would love to go fly 135 but most companies want the IFR 135 mins which i dont have. I have been turned down from those for not having the requierments.

 

[generaltso]

I am about to turn 24 and I have a wife and a baby due in March. So i think that the regionals are where i need to go.

Sorry dude, but that is one of the saddest, most naive statements I have ever seen on this board. Period.

 

[Superpilot92]

I know way to many people whom have gone off and flown cargo and they are never home. are working more than regional pilots are and you know what, i would much rather make alittle less if i get to see my family a little bit more. Nieve, maybe so. But i am young and trying to make something of my self and if i can bypass flying night cargo and never seeing my family than i am going to do it. For a guy my age the regionals dont look bad to me, I have a long career ahead of me to figure out the rest. XJET is a good company to be with and especially to start with. I am blessed to be in the situation i am in. You know what 3 years ago there werent jobs PERIOD and now i have the opportunity to at least have a job with a good company which is growing and not downsizing. I hope XJET calls me.

 

[generaltso]

XJET is a good company to be with and especially to start with.

I can't stand all the bright eyed bushy tailed 500 hour wonders that are coming out of the wood work. People get so excited about flying a nice looking jet and how nice they will look with stripes.

Let me ask you this... how do you know X-jet is a good company and a good place to work? Because some excited new hires told you? Talk to me half way through your first year when you are applying for a second job with Home Depot in order to feed your family.

 

[Art Vandalay]

I completely agree with the general. These are some of the most naive comments I have ever seen. Life at a regional does not allow you to be home, see your family, etc. I decided to try that route (XJET) until I realized that I was going to be nowhere near my home. The junior base at XJET is CLE. You will make 19,000 dollars your first year and will have to live in Cleveland. (most likely) Working for a 135 operator WILL allow you to be home every night, and I am sure there is one at your airport, so you can stay where you are.

By the way, why is it you act as if you are in a different situation than any of us who CFI'd to build hours? We all were frustrated with the same mistakes, same approaches, same scenery, etc. If you are a decent CFI, you shoud be logging AT LEAST 100 hours/month, especially in Texas.

By the way, can you please tell us AGAIN that you intern'ed at Express Jet?


Art Vandalay, Vandalay Industries

 

[Superpilot92]

Look you guys are getting me all wrong. You get so defensive about a young guy wanting to get a job somewhere. I enjoy instructing but if givent the opportunity to advance anyone would be dumb not to take it. I do fly alot instructing here and i make less than 15000 a year doing it. I know that XJET has its problems and so does every other aviation company. I am paying my dues and i will continue doing so until i get something bigger. If i am given the opportunity to move forward in my career i am going to do so. Whats so wrong with a young guy who still enjoys flying and cant wait to get to where you guys are at. Thanks for the advice guys. I am working my up the food chain just like everyone else should.