CFI route

[ShamH85]

I'm working on my instrument at a local flight school and they are willing to hire me to fly pipeline patrol for the same school if I complete my commercial license also with them. I would get paid 20$ an hour and could get 120 hours easily a month and insurance. So I too am considering not going the cfi route since I can get hired after my commercial ticket and then I might try to just buy a share in a twin to build multi-time while living in town and finishing up my bachelors degree and working pipeline. I'm 20, But I am somewhat concerned on if not having my cfi ticket might close some doors for me? My goal is to land a job with a company like skywest after building time flying pipeline.

 

[-Xavier-]

Is there not a way for you to do your CFI and fly some pipeline? Pipeline is a very good way to get lots of hours - especially if they already offered you the job. I would still aim to get the CFI even if you don't use it.

 

[groundpointsix]

Always have a backup. If the pipeline gig works out, you may never need to use the CFI. What if the contract the FBO has with the pipeline company goes away? What if another pilot wrecks the airplane? What if you figure out that the job really isn't what you thought it would be? Besides, instructing isn't that bad. Sometimes it's even fun when you aren't fearing for your life.

Also, make sure there really is a pipeline job for you to have and this isn't just a carrot on a stick to get you to continue training with them. Do they offer this to everyone? Do you know someone personally who was in a position to offer it to you? Not trying to burst your bubble but there are pleanty of schools out there that offer the promise of employment in order to attract business. There are not a lot of companies out there that offer jobs to 60 hour private pilots.

 

[Junkflyer]

Flying the patrols is a good start to building hours especially if you'll get paid more than the regionals. You need to look at what kind of time to get in the future also-the single vfr stuff is okay for maybe a thousand hours. Try to plan ahead for instrument, night cross-country, and multi time building. Don't worry about the cfi, get hours now then quality time later. 135 is also a good way to gain experience.

 

[ShamH85]

Well my local fbo/charter I goto has a huge pipeline divison for central California and the owner guarnteed me a oppurtunity to fly pipeline since they will be expanding and they lose a few pilots a month to better things. So im real glad to get lucky with a good job after comm ticket... but trying to get on with a regional might be a little harde?. plus i get the vibe that you won't be looked at when you send your resume without your cfi ticket?