Suggestions from the experienced pilots

[larry]

I’d like to get some ideas…

My goal is to fly for a Regional (Comair or ASA but I’m not going to be too picky) or fractional program such as NetJets.

My credentials are Commercial ASMEL, CFII (MEI check ride is next Saturday)
600TT 200Dual 30Multi
I also have a BA and I’m working on my Masters in Information Technology.

Obviously I need some flight time. I know I will have to move as our local FBO doesn’t offer much opportunity. Where would you more experienced guys suggest I go? I’m looking into teaching at the Comair Academy or maybe ATP, but I have a feeling they hire graduates only.

 

[Timebuilder]

Don't count on ATP. I talked with Jim Koziarsky a couple of times in the past year and a half. He says he'll "keep the resume on file".

You could call Karen at Comair and ask about your plan.

Maybe someone else will have an idea.

 

[Fr8Dog]

Ok I may not be that expierenced, but I will try and help anyway. You are most likely going to have to flight instruct for a while to build up your total time and multi time so try and find a flight school where you can move up as you build your time. I am not sure where you are located so that will have something to do with what you can find and if you are willing to move. You should be able to find a flight school in your area that has a charter department that is owned by the same company or at least in the same building, or on the same field so you can make contacts for future employment. Look around for the places that do training from private thorough multi and also have senecas, aztecs, twin cessnas, ect that you can move into when you get your hours built up. A lot of what you want to do will depend on weather you have a family or not, how willing they are to move, and if you want to move or not. If you live near a large 141 school such as American Fliers, All ATP's, or any of the other ones that could be a choice for you. I liked the small 61 school better since you can make more of your own choices on lesson plans, and to do what you feel your student needs. That was my decision though, just do what feels right to you. If you would give us your family situation and location maybe some other people could give you more info on places around your area. I can't, nor can anyone else on here tell you what is right for you since you will have to make that decision on your own, but this is a good place to get everyone elses opions.

 

[bobbysamd]

Instructing

Ditto the above.

It never hurts to apply. Try calling the gal at Comair as Timebuilder suggested. The worst she can say is "no." You will be no worse off than before and you might be surprised.

It blows my mind to see this, but ERAU in Prescott is advertising for instructors. Riddle is a good place to hang your hat for awhile. Here's a link to the listing . You may be a little light in instructing hours, but, once again, it never hurts to apply.

Pass your MEI and then print up a ream of resumes. Then, spam the universe with them together with cover letters. Then, spam them again. It might take some time, but someone will give you a chance. Once you get that chance, your foot will be in the door.

Good luck with your plans.

 

[172driver]

You can call Comair but it won't help. Sorry to bear bad news. We are currently hiring into a pool and the CFI program is packed. Graduates only and even they must wait at least two months, soon to be longer. With Comair (the airline) being one of the only airlines hiring, people are leaving their FBO's and 141 schools and flocking to the academy for their CFI/II in hopes of the CFI job and guaranteed airline interview.

Imagine how you would feel if you paid $50K for your ratings at Comair and an outsider got the CFI job before you. Not exactly good advertising to new prospects. Won't happen. Look for an FBO with a twin such as the one you're training at now. Good luck.

 

[Flymach2]

Hi...

I agree with 172Driver. Not too long ago Comair Academy would consider outside CFI applicants but they needed to have at least 500 hours of dual given. As recent as a year ago, they were sending new CFI hires to another campus because of no room at the Sanford location.

Basically it's supply and demand....and as we know, right now demand for CFI's is relatively low. Keep pounding the pavement...something will come up. Have you tried ERAU? I've heard they're looking for a few instructors.

Good luck...

 

[AZaviator]

Flymach2 beat me to the punch. Try ERAU. I've seen on several websites that ERAU is hiring for both their Prescott and Daytona campuses.

Also Pan Am in Ft. Pierce, Florida is hiring CFIs for some sort of program with international students from KLM.

If possible I would also recommend looking into flight schools with charter departments. It could mean a possibility of flying charter after putting some time in with the company.

Good luck.

 

[LR25]

Hey Larry,

Heres a different light on the subject.

Look around at some freight dog operators; DC-3's, Barons, BE-18's, anything that is hualing boxes. You can sit in the right seat and build some time and if you have any other talents that might help the company out they may utilize you in other capacities to to earn money.

Crazier things have happened than hiring low time pilots just to sit in the right seat of an airplane.

At a place I was flying Lears, we had a few guys that were CFI's hire into a Learjet, some with a 1000 TT or less and low total ME time to.

Granted, things are a little more competitive now than a few years ago, but it never hurts to look, you might be suprised.

I remember when I was scrounging around for my first real job, I drove across many neighboring states with a sectional and a road map, I didnt have nothing to lose except gas in my car.

Good luck in what ever you decide.

 

[Flightjock30]

Timebuilder,
I refer private pilots to ATPs all the time. Do you know personally that many airlines "look down" upon them and do not like to hire pilots who attended there? Just curious, cause I hope Im not referring pilots to the wrong school!

 

[larry]

More

Thanks for all the replys! I'm 27 and married with no kids. My wife is in school until December or April so when she starts working full time we can afford a pay cut for a couple years. Our local operator has no twins for training and no charter operations. So if I wanted to fly a 172 or archer with no chace of flying anything else I'd stay in town, but it seems pretty clear I need to go some place else. Do you guys have a suggestion for an FBO or school in Florida? I'd like to stay in Florida or Georgia, but we are pretty open to moving.

 

[dav8or]

Timebuilder,
I refer private pilots to ATPs all the time. Do you know personally that many airlines "look down" upon them and do not like to hire pilots who attended there? Just curious, cause I hope Im not referring pilots to the wrong school!

Airlines do not "look down " on ATP grads. Chautauqua had a bridge program with them. I don't know if it is still in effect since we are not hiring at this time, but we didn't have a problem with any ATP grads in training that would cause a change. It is still the fastest way to get your ratings, some will argue that faster is not better but timming is everthing in this business.

 

[abenaki]

Have you called ATA at Orlando Exec?

Also, there are plenty of medium sized FBO's out there that have twins for charter and all that.......don't get too focused on those big schools......I find that the smaller operations sometimes offer more opportunities and a lot less competition.

And I agree with the post above re' flying freight, checks, or "rubber dog poop out of Hong Kong".....nothing says that you have to instruct and doing some night freight work will give you invaluable experience......just be bloody awful careful......it can be rough duty.......

I think there is a check hauler out of Orlando Exec.......210's and Barons if memory serves correctly.....Look around there......

 

[pilotyip]

Military?

Have you looked into the military, even Army roto wing, it gives you head of the line status when you are done. Besides it is fun.

 

[dispatchguy]

I jumpseated with a guy not too long ago who's kid flies for Airnet. He had about 350TT, started flying right seat in a Baron, and is now left seat on their Lear.

Granted, its back side of the clock flying, but it could also be a way...

 

[Simon Says]

If you want multi time try Air Desert Pacific in LA. Not much in the money area, but there is a boat load of multi time to have.

 

[bobbysamd]

Some Florida ideas

I'd like to stay in Florida or Georgia, but we are pretty open to moving.

Hop in your car, get on the Turnpike and drive in a resume to FlightSafety Academy in Vero. Yeah, I know they have no openings and primarily hire from within. But, all it takes is a commuter or two to start hiring and pick up its instructors. The pool will dry up and the place will need instructors. I was hired from the outside there eleven years ago.

Then, drive down U.S. 1 to Ft. Pierce and hand-carry a resume to Pan Am. I really don't know much about the place. I've heard negative and positive. It is still a place to apply.

Then, drive up I-95 to Daytona to ERAU. ERAU in Daytona is running ads for instructors. Riddle is not the perfect place at which to work, but it certainly is far from the worst. Ask for an app.

Once again, good luck with your job search.

 

[larry]

Well that was kind of my plan. I've been to ATA in Orlando and I can't say I was terribly impressed. Do you think its worth a drive to Vero to hand the resume in person or will mail suffice? I mailed one to Pan AM and I never even got a rejection letter!

Anybody participated in the airnet SIC program. Yes I did a search, yes I know there 1000 posts on airnet. No I did not see much from someone in the program that details how much pic multi time they got per month. The pay is horrible, but its at least some pay, its all multi time, and after a year or two I figure I'd have a sporting chance at a regional or fractional.

 

[bobbysamd]

Hand-delivery of materials

I think it is worth it anytime you can hand-deliver something, even if you can't get past the receptionist. Do it enough times, politely, and you will be remembered. Maybe you can ask demurely if you might have a minute with the Chief Pilot. The worst you can be told is "no." So, once more, you are no worse off than you were before.

Maybe you might have better luck with Pan Am by hand-delivery. These places gets tons of mail, which probably gets tossed by the wayside. Hand-delivery might find its way to the Chief Instructor's desk sooner.

Some people suggest that when you hand-deliver materials that you should dress as if you were attending an interview and absolutely no worse than a good shirt and slacks. I think there's a great deal of merit in that suggestion. You never know if you might find yourself sitting in the hotseat across the desk from the hiring authority. Better to be prepared than not.

Once more, best of luck with your efforts.

 

[darien]

ditto from above

Part of my job is sales and i've never had a positive feeling about mailing something , but i've had feelingsof elation just dropping paperwork into the hands of the recipient At least they will know you really exist and they may rember you It's not everyday that they get someone from a far that drops off a resume Tip mention the distance you've traveled while trying to get past the secretary great luck to ya

 

[jaybird]

AirNet SIC

I was an SIC. The pay really isn't that bad. I know I made more as an SIC then some first year regional FO's. I talked with another former SIC who said he made more than some of our prop captains. You can live almost anywhere (aircraft and load permitting), and it was the best experience I could've ever dreamed of.

I usually switched legs with the captains (unless I got a lazy one and they had me fly the whole thing while they slept ). By the time your year is up you should have at least 800-1,000 multi-pic, unless you get a C208. So I don't worry about the PIC thing too much. I did log the legs I did as PIC though. You also get to ferry planes which is no doubt PIC.