career advice

[trestles]

I know this is another career advice question, and I've pretty much made up my mind about leaving NWA, but was wondering what some of the more experienced regional pilots had to say about this (the grass is always greener.....). I am a ground instructor at NWA and was hired into the Aircrew Training Instructor (ATI) program, meaning that after 3 years of ground instructing, I would have the opportunity to become a line pilot at NWA. ) This program is definitely controversial, I know, and understand that if you want to fly airplanes, you have to get out and fly as much as possible and pay your dues--there's no easy way. However, this program has been around in various forms at NWA in the past, and the success rate has been questionable.) Having been out of aviation for a while, and making a compromise with the wife, I took the opportunity and was, of course, highly disappointed in the entire program. It is made up mostly of young, cocky "professional" flight school grads who average under a thousand hours--all GA--and think that the regionals/freight dog life is below them. Most have very little time in the last few years and think that when they go to the line they'll have no problems. I myself have under a thousand hours and all of it is GA, and know I need more experience in the real world. I did get a type rating out of the program, but I know it's worthless b/c I have no time in type. I have tons of sim time and instruct in the fixed-base sims, but, again, no real experience, which is worthless outside of this NWA program. There have been in the past people with less than 500 hours go to the line at NWA in the DC-9 and A320 and make fools of themselves, and some made it, some didn't, depending on the attitude. The program is highly political and I spend most of my time flipping through powerpoint presentations or doing the same old profiles in the fixed-base sim. And, since we're expected to put in a full work week, flight instructing on the side is difficult, and there are rules about "instructing on company time." We know have over 900 pilots on furlough and I am looking at about 4-5 years before I get my shot anyway. Enough of my rant, the question is, given the situation, I definitely want to leave and flight instruct full time. Some think I'm nuts b/c I already have an "in" at a major, and if I leave, they might hold grudges, but I think the program is full of so much B.S. and uncertainly that I'm willing to take my chances. In fact, we just had a job opening and over 100 people applied b/c the company gives them the "carrot" at the end of a very, very long stick. Am I doing the right thing by leaving?

 

[Flyforyou]

Tough call... I almost took that carrot back at ERAU. I just couldn't see spending all that time getting certificates and education only to NOT be in the cockpit flying something. My advise, get out and start flying something, and go from there. There are lots of places to go(according to Kit Darby's emails), and you shouldn't have a problem getting on somewhere. Good luck!

P.S. If your initials are C.N., give an old room-mate a call...

 

[Mel Sharples]

Sounds like you already know the answer.

If you want to fly, go instruct and get yourself a full-time flying job. If just having a job in aviation is good enough, stay where you are.

With all those guys on furlough it's going to be a while before you get on as a pilot at NWA. I know a couple of people who went through that program at NWA and got bent over in a major way. I think that whole deal is a shady way to get cheap instructors. No offense... I'm sure your good at what you do but it's a lot cheaper to hire low-time GA guys than full-time airline guys. Just my opinion.

Remember, no matter where you go it's going to be a LONG TIME until you move up the ladder. But if flying is your goal, I'd go try and find a full-time flying job or at least try to instruct more on your off days if that's possible.

The industry sucks right now but it is getting better. Good luck with your decision no matter what it is!

 

[KingAirKiddo]

Just off the cuff Ii'd say that you should definitely leave and begin building flight time and experience. I would also leave as tactfully as possible (i.e. give proper notice, etc.) and do your absolute best to not burn the proverbial bridge.

I think you've gained some priceless knowlege and insight in this position which will help you immensely later on, but right now it is probably best not to put all your eggs in that basket.

That's my $.02, worth exactly what you paid for it Best of luck with your decision.

KAK

 

[Checknsix]

Well,

First recommendation would be to try to do some additional instructing at PanAm. Unless the policies have changed, NWA allowed you to work for both...as long as it didn't interfere. Start doing some ground instructing or Oral reviews. The bucks aren't too bad. You might just find they will value your skills enough to make you a sim instructor for FBS...maybe even buy your type for doing full motion rides.

If you have been hanging around the facility for that long, then you know that most of the other ATI's before you have jobs at some of the other companies that train at that facility. Not always an aspiring pilot's first choice, but they will give you a break on hours and background if you come with a good rep from the school. Work those relationships with the companies doing business there. The old adage of "....it's who you know", are very true in this business.

Sign me, been there, done that.

Checknsix

 

[c152]

Become a Doctor!

 

[username]

become a piano player in a whore house.