PFT My Bags Are Packed

[flyifrvfr]

I just had to chime in with my thoughts of PFT. I just became a CFI and I'm currently unemployed. My goal is to fly for a fractional or charter company. I have never been interested in flying for regionals or any type of airline but I would never put out money above and beyond what I have already put out to get to this level. If a person has a undeniable desire to fly for a living don't limit yourself to an airline. For some unknown reason a large majority of pilots believe the only job worth having is an airline pilot. While I have nothing against the airlines, pilots shouldn't limit themselves to just one area of flying. People seem to not see the writing on the wall, salarys for airline pilots are steadily falling while managers salarys continue to grow. Pilots are similar to truck drivers in the sense that recievers of cargo would treat truckers better if truckers refused to go to problem recievers. Pilots could do a complete industry strike and show the airlines that without pilots the airplanes stay parked. Before anyone says I'm nuts, I already know that this will never happen because there are people who will not only do the job for free, but will pay to be considered for the job. The airline situation will never improve or return to the way it used to be. Salarys will continue to get cut and unions will be forced to rewrite contracts. Airlines are using 9-11 as the excuse for this but the problems were there before 9-11 and I see no improvement in the future. I as a truck driver make a good living, I worked for 5 months last year and made $30,000. Had I worked through the year into the busy time of year I would have made $65,000 per year and home everynight. I turned my back on the trucking industry because I have a desire to fly but don't have the patience to go through the same thing I went through as a trucker. You need experience to get a job but how do you get experience if no one will hire you. Fly the cargo at night which most people seem to not want to do and get the multi-pic time. After doing this (paying your dues) You will look better to an employer because you didn't pay for your job with money but hard work sweat and hopefully not alot of tears.

 

[Satan]

right on, brotha

bring the capitalist pigs to their knees

 

[urflyingme?!]

what was the point there?
are you goin to PFT?
anywho, I think truck drivers are cool, kinda wanna be one. But only if I get to wear a faded orange puffy vest...(no offense i really would)

 

[GogglesPisano]

Ever hear of a paragraph?

 

[labbats]

I appreciate your sentiment, but after reading these boards for a while, I've seen this same topic posted daily for months. Enough already, we all know.

As for the title, what did that have to do with anything you wrote?

 

[bart]

I as a truck driver make a good living, I worked for 5 months last year and made $30,000. Had I worked through the year into the busy time of year I would have made $65,000 per year and home everynight.

And you gave that up for basically the same job at 1/4 of the pay?

I guess an airplane is sexier and has a lot more cool guages and stuff...

 

[Caveman]

"I just became a CFI and I'm currently unemployed."

It's probably best to wait until you've worked in the industry before making any "I'll never do this, never do that" statements.

How much are you going to charge for your services as a CFI? Even as an independent CFI you'll be lucky to pocket $30 an hour. Chances are you'll work for someone else and get maybe $12-15. BTW, in either case you'll be lucky to get 20 hours a week of actual billed time. Do the math, $600 a week tops (in reality there is no chance of that when you start out) or on the low end considerably less than $200 a week.

After 2 -3 years of that you'll be ready to fly just about anything that's bigger and faster, doesn't include students, and has more than 1 engine and you'll willingly do it for peanuts. That is, if you are still around.

I wish you well, really I do. I honestly hope you succeed. It is a bit offensive when someone with no time and no experience pontificates on how it should be done. The industry is what it is and I recommend to anyone just starting not to expect too much for the first few years. IMO it is worth the time and effort though. Good luck to you.

 

[aviatrix]

At 400 hours in this industry it's nice to see you can orchestrate your own destiny. Dont be dissapointed when, years later, it turns out to be 100% different from your original plans!
Be flexible!
(See ya in the cockpit at one of those lowly regionals! Bye!)

 

[wil]

Welcome aboard. I hope your career moves in the direction of your desires. Many times it does not. Don't sell out and work hard. Sounds like you know what to do. All the best-

 

[Gulfstream 200]

really. relax.

unemployed?

Didn't you just get your CFI 4 or 5 days ago??

give yourself a little more time there Sparky and see if you feel the same way!!!

right or wrong, there are MANY ways to get to good jobs (NOT charter jobs - those shouldn't be goals)

- the point is just to get there and enjoy it.

 

[flyifrvfr]

"I just became a CFI and I'm currently unemployed."

It's probably best to wait until you've worked in the industry before making any "I'll never do this, never do that" statements.

How much are you going to charge for your services as a CFI? Even as an independent CFI you'll be lucky to pocket $30 an hour. Chances are you'll work for someone else and get maybe $12-15. BTW, in either case you'll be lucky to get 20 hours a week of actual billed time. Do the math, $600 a week tops (in reality there is no chance of that when you start out) or on the low end considerably less than $200 a week.

After 2 -3 years of that you'll be ready to fly just about anything that's bigger and faster, doesn't include students, and has more than 1 engine and you'll willingly do it for peanuts. That is, if you are still around.

I wish you well, really I do. I honestly hope you succeed. It is a bit offensive when someone with no time and no experience pontificates on how it should be done. The industry is what it is and I recommend to anyone just starting not to expect too much for the first few years. IMO it is worth the time and effort though. Good luck to you.

Here in the Northeast a CFI gets $ 20 dollars per hour and a CFII gets $22 to 25 dollars per hour. An Independant CFI gets $40.00 per hour which is what I recently charged an aircraft owner for a BFR. I have no doubt that it will be a long and tough road but I definately won't sell out and PFT. As for the flying for peanuts, I don't know where my career will take me I just know where I want to go and I believe cargo (airnet) or such is in my future.

I can't change the fact that most cargo companies like airnet play on the fact that they are a stepping stone to bigger and better things. The multi time is the gold which is why the pay for this job is quite low. this is just something I will have to adapt to. I mean no offense to anyone but I can't see how paying for a job will help me or the industry.

 

[flyifrvfr]

Ever hear of a paragraph?

Yeah, I have heard of a paragraph. I typed that post late at night and grammer probably wasn't my priority at that moment. In the future I will make sure to make atleast three paragraphs for you and you can grade my spelling, grammer, and structure.

 

[flyifrvfr]

really. relax.

unemployed?

Didn't you just get your CFI 4 or 5 days ago??

give yourself a little more time there Sparky and see if you feel the same way!!!

right or wrong, there are MANY ways to get to good jobs (NOT charter jobs - those shouldn't be goals)

- the point is just to get there and enjoy it.

Charter jobs shouldn't be a goal? Maybe not for you, I however want to fly Fractional or Charter because I want to fly business jets. Flying for fractionals appeals to me because a large portion of the flying is done empty which means no passengers more fun. I don't mind sitting at FBO's while the customer does business, I like not having to do the same thing day after day. I did in fact just earn my CFI 10 days ago, I hope to be employed shortly.

The reason I posted about this is that PFT in my opinion ansd best of knowledge applies to regionals and airlines. There are different types of flying and one shouldn't limit oneself to just the airlines.

 

[flyifrvfr]

what was the point there?
are you goin to PFT?
anywho, I think truck drivers are cool, kinda wanna be one. But only if I get to wear a faded orange puffy vest...(no offense i really would)

No, I'm not going to PFT I spent enough money to become a CFI I have no more money to spend. Do you wanna drive a truck or be a hunter? I have never wore a vest of any color nor a cowboy hat. I didn't wear cowboy boots and I don't own a large belt buckle. I have driven for many companies and one for one of my last jobs I delivered petroleum. My boss didn't want his drivers to wear large belt buckles because if you tripped and fell the large belt buckle could spark and ignite the gasoline.

 

[flyifrvfr]

And you gave that up for basically the same job at 1/4 of the pay?

I guess an airplane is sexier and has a lot more cool guages and stuff...

I couldn't have said it better with less words!!

 

[JetPilot_Mike]

No, I'm not going to PFT

I don't believe any airline is PFT these days. So good attitude, if you were around 5 or 6 years ago. But, way to think ahead. In only 1000 more hours you'll have a tough decision to make.

 

[flyifrvfr]

I have been flying since 1987, it took me so long to get my ratings because I paid for every rating I have. I owe no one money for training and I fit the demographic PFT is targeting. I feel that I have worked too hard for too long to pay for a right seat SIC time. Even if I had the extra money, I have great credit and can easily get a loan for it, I refuse to. I'm 34 and one would think it would be the thing to do but selling out is never an option.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

fractional means most of the flying is done empty huh? more fun? hows that?? gonna roll the ole' citation??

maybe some fractional guys could chime in here..??

looking forward to sitting in the FBO huh? can I just ask....WHY??!!!!





as one who been flying corp for 5 or so years I can tell you there no fun in either dead heads (OK Lear 20s maybe) and it certainly is not fun sitting around KTEB FBOs all day!!! jeeeesus......brings back nightmares of uncomfortable recliners, snooring pilots, smelly bathrooms, old popcorn machines, cell phones constantly ringing, noisy ramps....lots to love!

Archer??? that you my man???

 

[labbats]

Perhaps I should look into fractionals.

I can sleep anywhere, eat anything and am addicted to video games.

Hand me a gameboy and some popcorn, point out the ratty couch and call me F/O.

 

[flyifrvfr]

fractional means most of the flying is done empty huh? more fun? hows that?? gonna roll the ole' citation??

maybe some fractional guys could chime in here..??

looking forward to sitting in the FBO huh? can I just ask....WHY??!!!!





as one who been flying corp for 5 or so years I can tell you there no fun in either dead heads (OK Lear 20s maybe) and it certainly is not fun sitting around KTEB FBOs all day!!! jeeeesus......brings back nightmares of uncomfortable recliners, snooring pilots, smelly bathrooms, old popcorn machines, cell phones constantly ringing, noisy ramps....lots to love!

Archer??? that you my man???

You must be at a crappy FBO. You should try Martin State Airport the leather recliners, always clean bathrooms and friendly counter ladies make this FBO a nice stop. I admit I have never flown a business jet but it seems to me as long as the Captain doesn't mind you could climb like a bat out of hell without passengers complaining. You can fly the little jet like a fighter jet as long as you abide by speed and ATC climb restrictions. I would like to hear from business jet flyers, do you have a little fun when no one is aboard or do you keep it professional.

I see things differently than most people, I like to have fun. I already spend a god awful amount of time at this fbo networking and such. In fact I'm at the FBO right now. I would rather go from fbo to fbo than have to fly multiple legs in a cramped regional jet. I also like the fact that destinations are not known to much ahead of time. I'm single so living by a pager and cell phone won't bother me but I'm getting ahead of myself. I still need to get a CFI job and first student, the rest will take care of it's self.