Fed up and trying to build time...

[polarbear66]

Thanks to everyone who replied. I will be sending out resumes and we'll see how it goes. It isn't that I hate flight instruction but I have just been chewed up going from school to school. It won't be too bad to have a job where I won't have to say "right rudder" everyday. I will let you know.


Polarbear

 

[Bryan D]

Fly banners, I flew 760 hrs in 7 month's. You get to fly a Super Cub! Sky Signs, Conway SC.

 

[tscarecrow]

I would rather say 'right rudder' all day than 'would you like fries with that?'

 

[fokkers&beer]

I think the banner towing companies in Florida should be starting up for the season. They might be worth looking at.

​

 

[Mtnjam]

Stuck too.

I am on my second CFI job. I left the first one because Maint. was a big issue and I had to remind my boss about being paid. I don't like how flight school's charge 40 dollars an hour and give you 12 or 14. So I moved to the E. coast and now make 20 which isn't too bad for being CFI. Instructing is no fun anymore and I literally have to drag myself to the airport to sit in an airplane to tell people "right rudder" With over 900 hrs. dual given I've pretty much seen all you can see teaching VFR pilots. Instrument students are hard to come by but if you can grab some of them it's quite enjoyable, at least I like it because they already should know "how to fly a plane". Finally with over 1200 hrs. total and over 100 Multi and spending time online applying to regionals I have 2 interviews lined up. One with Eagle next week and Express Jet yet to be determined. I'm waiting on the second call back from them.
You just have to get the 1200 hrs and it's true doors start opening. I just about threw the towel in, but now I'm hanging in there because there really is light at the end of the tunnel, but to prepare for an interview is alot of work. I spend 3 hrs. a day roughly studying, etc.etc..........
Also my theory on skipping around on flight schools isn't too good either especially when you go to make the next move. They will want to know why and want to know if you're going to just build "quality" flight time and then move on immediately to the next best thing

 

[bobbysamd]

MAPD Instructing

Perhaps you need a better instructing gig with more upside. You might look at instructing at Mesa Airlines Pilot Development. I instructed there several years ago. Upsides include working with highly-motivated students, with the major upside being an interview with Mesa Airlines eventually.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

[DX Rick]

Perhaps you need a better instructing gig with more upside. You might look at instructing at Mesa Airlines Pilot Development. I instructed there several years ago. Upsides include working with highly-motivated students, with the major upside being an interview with Mesa Airlines eventually.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

You mention this school in almost every thread......if its so great, why did you leave?

 

[smellthejeta]

Perhaps you need a better instructing gig with more upside. You might look at instructing at Mesa Airlines Pilot Development. I instructed there several years ago. Upsides include working with highly-motivated students, with the major upside being an interview with Mesa Airlines eventually.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

I'm confused. What's the major upside?

 

[bobbysamd]

MAPD et al

You mention this school in almost every thread......if its so great, why did you leave?

I did not care for the place at all as an employer, bearing in mind that this was several years ago. Click here and read why. You'll have to scroll down several posts.

I'm confused. What's the major upside?

Try rereading this link. In a nutshell, the chance to interview for an FO position with Mesa Airlines. In other words, an airline interview.

There are other good flight instructing jobs available, e.g., International Flight Training Center (IFTA) in Bakersfield. I know this place, having visited, applied and lining up an interview, and having a friend who worked there. Equipment, facilities and environment are first class. Students are motivated. Beginning money used to beat commuter wages by more than a mile. Perhaps best of all, instructors are sought-after at IFTA and are treated like professionals. Airline Training Center Arizona in Phoenix is the Lufthansa school and IFTA's direct ancestor. I also know that place, having been offered a job there and having had at least three friends who worked there. Same comments apply.

MAPD, IFTA and ATCA require experience; MAPD a lot less than you might think. Just check them out. There are a few good instructing jobs available.

 

[tangodelta21]

Go tow banners in Florida. Fly all day. Chase girls that are "cutting loose" on vacation all night. And the best part is they go away in a week or two and a new bunch replaces them! I towed in FLL/MIA in '02 and PFN in '03, PFN was the most fun.

 

[bobbysamd]

Banner towing

Go tow banners in Florida. Fly all day. Chase girls that are "cutting loose" on vacation all night. And the best part is they go away in a week or two and a new bunch replaces them! I towed in FLL/MIA in '02 and PFN in '03, PFN was the most fun.

. . . but beware of the sleazoid banner-tow outfits for which you have to P-F-T and not get any work.

 

[rchcfi]

I was at the same point 2 years ago. I was ready to hang it up , but a good friend of mine said "The key is, go somewhere most people wouldn't or couldn't go." Being single (don't know your position) allowed me to explore flying Caravans in South Africa or flying in Alaska. I threw resumes out to just about every Alaskan operator in March and was hired by one in April. I went from 800TT/140ME in Apr '03 to 2050TT/520ME by Apr '04. Now I'm flying Lifeflight in a C414 with an upgrade to a C550 in 6 months.

I won't say I've got the best job now(it's right for where I see my career going), but I sure have more companies beating down my door now than ever. I had to turn down 3 calls for interviews just last week.

Stick it out bud!

Cheers,
RCHCFI