CFI Opportunities in TX & AZ

[nufft]

Greetings All,

I am going to be a newly minted CFI here pretty soon, and am interested in moving to TX or AZ. I really would like to get as much info as possible on what the hiring propects are like in these areas in Jan. thru Apr. In TX, I am really focused on the Dallas / Ft. Worth area, but I am flexible. I have no real preferences for AZ. Is there much turn over or hiring in these areas Jan. thru Apr?

In reference to recent postings, are there any schools that I should stay clear of?

Any and all information will be greatly appreciated.

Thanx much,
Nufft.

 

[User546]

I'd stay away for the most part in Arizona. Way too many flight schools and academy's already there. With majority of the schools only hiring their own students, it can be really difficult to find a job out there.

Now Texas is a different story. From what I've been hearing lately, Dallas is a real hot-bed of activity for CFI's looking for a job. The Houston area is another option, although I heard the market isn't as good as Dallas.

As for the "off-seasons" Arizona's off season is typically the summer time (miserably hot, most people dont like to train then) and in Texas it would have to be the winter time (lots of cold, low-overcast days.)

Anyone that knows different, please feel free to correct me.

Good luck on finding a job!

 

[acaTerry]

I agree with User997. The market for any good CFI in AZ has been taken away by the academies.

 

[nufft]

Thank you both very much!!

Is there any where in particular that you would recommend that I start looking in Dallas?

Thanks again

 

[weekendwarrior]

I'm a CFI in the Phoenix area for a part 141/61 school. It is true that the academies here hire alot of instructors, but they usually only hire the ones that attend. The market here isn't as bad as it used to be. With Mesa hiring like mad, CFI's aren't sticking around too much. We get maybe 1 resume/week at our school.

I got the job from the school I trained at, but it was under different ownership. It's all about timing. If the school loses some instructors (we lost 4 in a couple of months) then whoever is coming in the door and is likable with a decent resume, will get hired.

It can't hurt to at least email out the resumes. The adademies aren't stealing as many as you might think.

 

[acaTerry]

Yes they are. I have been a CFI in PHX for 11 years and even the school who I spent many thousands of dollars at will not let me instruct b/c of that darn academy that did not even exist when I started there.

 

[weekendwarrior]

Strange...I didn't have a problem getting a job 2 months ago, nor did the other 4 instructors at my school. And, none of them are from Pan Am or Westwind. It's all timing.

Shouldn't the academy guys be headed for the regionals after they instruct there anyway? What are they doing stealing the FBO jobs? Oh wait, I guess you DON't always get an airline job when you go to those schools!

 

[TEXAN AVIATOR]

Flying around 120hrs a month here in Houston... Just start sending out resumes... In Arizona good luck getting any IMC btw. Expressjet requires it.

 

[pilot_guy]

Houston's a good place to fly!

I would come to Houston, just stay away from Clover Field (now Pearland Regional?!?!). One operator there who's known for shoddy maintenance and trying to force you to fly his junk. He's an airline guy who owns a flight service, and only cares about the money he can make. Basically, the place is a leper colony, with a host of wannabes who don't realize what's going on. They've crashed a few as well due to maintenance as well.

The other FBO on the field isn't too bad though. The owner seems to have recently taken the reigns again and things seem to be improving.

Other than that, try Hobby airport or Ellington Field if you're on the south side of town. Hooks isn't a bad place to start on the northside as well.

 

[nufft]

Thank You All

My thanks to you all for your replies. You have givenme more stuff to ponder. Thanks again.