The times they are a changin'
American Flyers at Santa Monica is run by a good guy (Marco). You could get your CFI/II for probably $4-5K, and probably get a job there (single engine instruction only). There should be opportunites to work as an MEI in that area also, I think Bracket field has a twin training operation.
Things change quickly in this biz. ADP closed it's doors at Bracket. Heard an unconfirmed rumor that they were opening at Chino. In other news, Marco is now the manager of Supermarine at SMO. Opting to run the jet FBO is probably a wise financial decision. Good for him! He really has a following of loyal friends aquired through many years in the instruction business at SMO.
mcjohn:
I wish you the best of success in your move to LA. I hope you are prepared for the staggering cost of living and the other negative aspects of SoCal life. I presume that since you have been here, seen it and have opted to move here anyway, you have weighed the benefits against the challenges and found that potential opportunity wins the argument. Well, that's what this place was built on.
Van Nuys is the airport for corporate and charter, hands down. There is also plenty of flight instruction going on there and at SMO. It's a tight market for CFIs though. Market is flooded by alot of recent UND and other flight university grads. Still, opportunities exist from time to time as these folks get hired at the commuters. The most persistent and omnipresent seem to fill them. Some flight schools like Justice flight in SMO, give preference to those CFIs who train with them. And he pays better than most.
The traffic watch jobs in LA go to those who are known to present employees. A friend of mine who does this got in through his association with people he met as a flight school desk jockey. Whatever you do, get some kind of aviation job that will put you in contact with the right people. It's not that it's a closed club, just that the people who hire feel more comfortable hiring "known quantities" if they can. And it has to be easy! Often as not, flight schools and other operators will choose the guy who is ready to go to work now (and was introduced) over more qualified people who are not standing right in front of them like you are.
So good luck in your job search. You have been given a couple of good leads in some of the other posts.
Best,
