CFI Vs. Banner Towing

[luvz2fli]

I'd like to know from everybody out there what you guys think about in this matchup. I have been looking for jobs and might possibly have one being a CFI in the near future, but at the place I applied I have to wait for someone to leave. I also have a good shot at a banner job and I'd probably be able to start the banner job before the CFI one. I have a hard time throwing down my money for their endorsement though. I've heard it's a very reputable outfit though.

My thing is, what do airlines think of CFI time vs. something like banner time? I hear CFI is "quality" time and that banner towing isn't or whatever. I do not know if that is true or not. Also how do you build your time for 135 besides total? How have banner guys built up their multi time?

 

[MICK]

I would say the CFI time looks better than Banner time. I also think that you learn a lot from teaching......I did. I cant speak for banner towing, never did it.

Just my two cents and 22 years in the biz.

Mick

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

How have banner guys built up their multi time?

pay for it???

or you could just get your MEI and teach

 

[luvz2fli]

pay for it???

or you could just get your MEI and teach

I'd have no problem doing that. The thing is, if I do the banner job, that plus the move takes all of my money away. I'd be living paycheck to paycheck until I could save enough.

 

[bigbenno]

I did the banner tow thing over the CFI thing. I currently fly for a regional airline. Banner towing gets really old, really fast! The only part that is excting is the pick up, and the drop. You will get really good at maneuvering during very slow flight operations doing banner towing. It honestly isnt the safest job, if you make a mistake, you will end up in the ground or in some trees. When I interviewed the pilots interviewing me asked about my towing, and I just explained that I
· Provided safe and efficient banner operations seven days a week
· Positive attitude and work ethic towards banner operations under stressful flight conditions
· Responsible for the safe operation of five aircraft throughout time period listed above
· Special emphasis on safety at critical altitudes and airspeeds
I dont think that banner towing will be a disadvantage for you when it comes to you moving on in your career.

 

[troy]

. I have a hard time throwing down my money for their endorsement though. I've heard it's a very reputable outfit though.

There is a banner towing endoresement?

Go with the CFI route, you will learn more.

 

[Ill Mitch]

Do both. As for paying for an endorsement, you know there is no banner endorsement.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

This is like the ERAU or UND guys asking what elective they should take in order to improve thier chances at getting hired....

In reality.... look at the total picture and make a choice. Once you decide what to do.. do it better than anyone...

 

[NJA bound]

I also have a good shot at a banner job and I'd probably be able to start the banner job before the CFI one. I have a hard time throwing down my money for their endorsement though. I've heard it's a very reputable outfit though.

No reputable banner towing outfit would lie and tell you that there is an endorsement required to tow banners, don't believe anything that person tells you. Banner towing is a fun way to build time, but do a lot of research on the company you choose to tow for, this is the WWW you can find a ton of information about any company, www.google.com you can find about anything you want.

 

[Vladimir Lenin]

I'd have no problem doing that. The thing is, if I do the banner job, that plus the move takes all of my money away. I'd be living paycheck to paycheck until I could save enough.

then no multi for you :crying:

 

[John2375]

I did the banner tow thing over the CFI thing. I currently fly for a regional airline. Banner towing gets really old, really fast! The only part that is excting is the pick up, and the drop. You will get really good at maneuvering during very slow flight operations doing banner towing. It honestly isnt the safest job, if you make a mistake, you will end up in the ground or in some trees. When I interviewed the pilots interviewing me asked about my towing, and I just explained that I
· Provided safe and efficient banner operations seven days a week
· Positive attitude and work ethic towards banner operations under stressful flight conditions
· Responsible for the safe operation of five aircraft throughout time period listed above
· Special emphasis on safety at critical altitudes and airspeeds
I dont think that banner towing will be a disadvantage for you when it comes to you moving on in your career.

Just curious - how did you build enough multi-time to get hired at the reginoal you're at? What were your hours like when that happened?

 

[cezzna]

Be a CFI. The untold story of being a CFI or a teacher of anything is that you are in reality really teaching yourself. If you have any ethics whatsoever you will try to teach to the best of your ability and this requires that YOU really know your stuff. You will do alot of research about questions asked of you. Questions you would not come up with on your own. You will learn to think how other people think and explain things in different ways so different people will "get it". All the while, you learn to think, present, and interpret differently. Your people skills should improve, and you will learn to get along with people who you like and don't like. This is a VERY important skill to have and will do more for your career than you can imagine now. You don't want to be a one-dimensional regional junk FO with an inflated EGO and a track record of taking the path of least resistance. You could learn alot banner towing, I've never done it, but I'm guessing after a couple of months the learning would really taper off and the boredom would set in. You can't ever stop striving to learn or you just won't be very good.

My two cents