It's scenario time

[Iceman21]

Hypothetical situation

What would you do?

1st the notes.
You are married, have kids, plenty of debt. You are a CFI that is working part time because the money you make as a CFI can't put money in the gas tank, let alone pay the rent. Second job is a janitor job, making okay dough. Enough to pay the rent and a few bills, but no debt.

Here are your choices:

1. Grunt it out on the 3 year plan to the airlines, or 135 job.

2. Stay with janitor job and freelance part time until the student base gets large enough to support you full time.

3. Take those real estate classes you were thinking about taking, leave the janitor job, and freelance part time with the flexibility of your real estate job.

 

[rumpletumbler]

I hear there is a place called Gulfstream Academy where you can buy a job as a brain surgeon. Its it its startup phase, they found out they could do it with pilots so they just expanded. I can't recall the cost to be a brain surgeon......anyone?.....anyone?

 

[M&Maviation]

I thought this was a forum where people could get some constructive answers on topics, instead of condescending answers

Maybe I was wrong

 

[troy]

I am a struggling CFI, in college and married. I have a full time job as a mechanic. This is the way, the "true" way to get to the top. Only if you have alot of money can you "cut in line" and buy your way up. You spent alot of money on your ratings, why throw them away? Just look for all the flight time you can get and climb the ladder. Good luck.

 

[Iceman21]

If I wanted to "buy my way to the top" I would be there already.

You and I are alot alike troy. I am not sure you are married and have kids, but I too am a struggling CFI, have 2 jobs and am getting into school part time.

I have some options in front of me the have the potential to change my quaility of life at this point, and I am in the process of weighing all of them.

 

[pilotyip]

Stay in the Janitor job

If it pays well enough to let you build time, stay in it. Real Estate has no guarantee of income, particularity for a new person coming in. Building up a bunch of full time students also has a degree of risk that threatens a steady flow of income. Get your 1200 hours for 135 IFR PIC and look for a job that will build PIC.

 

[Iceman21]

That is another part of the problem.

Where I am at now, I am not building any hours. I have flown about 5 hours in the past 30 days.

I understand that Real Estate has no guarantee of income, but I would be making more money than I would be if I was instructing at the place I am at now. I could keep the other job while I am taking the classes and on the off chance that I had a student fall into my lap on the weekend, than great.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

Hypothetical situation

What would you do?

1st the notes.
You are married, have kids, plenty of debt. You are a CFI that is working part time because the money you make as a CFI can't put money in the gas tank, let alone pay the rent. Second job is a janitor job, making okay dough. Enough to pay the rent and a few bills, but no debt.

Here are your choices:

1. Grunt it out on the 3 year plan to the airlines, or 135 job.

2. Stay with janitor job and freelance part time until the student base gets large enough to support you full time.

3. Take those real estate classes you were thinking about taking, leave the janitor job, and freelance part time with the flexibility of your real estate job.

Option 4

You're already married with children, working two jobs, one as a CFI and the other as a janitor. Let's face it, the only action you are probably getting is from yourself, so why not make some money from it.

 

[hawkerguy]

SM, you are a dork.

 

[M&Maviation]

.....

 

[old_av8er]

Hang in there

You did not say how much CFI time you have but I have always felt that the first 500 hours of instruction was the period when YOU have the opportunity to learn to fly. Keep with the CFI as hard as it is and get those hours. Buying your way up is not the way to go cause you will lack the foundation for future oppotunities that will come up.

The job with the broom does let you have a steady flow of income. While the Real Estate job sounds like more money, the reality is that you cannot expect to make any real money for another year. I have made a lot of money in real estate but only as a buyer and seller. (90K last year) Realestate sales is some thing to consider when you have a job what lets you devote time to learning those skills.

Good luck, you have a hard time ahead but you can make it.

 

[Iceman21]

old av8er, thanks for the encouragement. I will not give up on the CFI thing, I am just considering a change in the medium in which I do it.

I am at 500 total time and just about 200 dual given now, so I know I have a lot more learning to do myself. Please keep in mind I have never made any mention of going somewhere and buying time. I am not sure where people have gotten that idea. I have enough debt as it is, and I will not bring myself to spend money at a place like GLA, no matter how quick it is.

 

[Dr Pokenhiemer]

I went through a career change a few years ago. Got out of the Army in '99 after 12 years because the airlines were wide open. Started instructing in 2000, sleeping on a cot in my office 4 nights a week because it was close to 3 hour drive to get to work. Due to 9/11, I had to stay with that longer than I originally intended to. Did that until I got on with a cargo company in 2002. I was married at the time and fortunately my wife supported my efforts because we knew it would pay off one day. Stay focused on your goal and do what it takes to get there.

Good luck!