mcartier713

i'm not trying to get out of CFI'ing... i think it would be a blast. i'm just trying to think of ways to get through all this faster. everyone has their mixed opinions. some say get there as quick as you can regardless as to the quality of ur flying/training. while others say that if you spend that extra year more you'll be a better pilot in the long run. i just can't decide which route would be better for me to take, so im kind of weighing both options.

mcartier713

plus, i was just thinking.. isn't turbine (turbo-prop) SIC a little bit more valuable than mostly single engine PIC time?

ryane946

You would think so. However, the fact is you will need 1500PIC to upgrade at just about every regional. SIC time only counts for 1/2 an hour for every hour you have. Therefore, piston PIC is twice as valuable as turbine SIC.

Here is an excerpt from the regional board about pilots going to airlines at 250TT. Read on.
This sums it up.
You initially think you are taking a shortcut, but as I explained above, it will actually take you longer to become captain, AND THAT IS WHAT MATTERS!!! Plus, the problem with chasing a quick upgrade at a crappy regional is what happens if hiring slows down. The only certainty in the airline industry is UNCERTAINTY. If you hold out until you have 1000TT, you can go to a good quality regional. If hiring slows down or you get stuck there, you will be at a decent place for several years. If you chase the low mins at TSA, you may get stuck there for years!!!


I think you know my position. College, CFI (until around 1000TT), then get on with a good regional. I promise it will not only be the fastest, but it will be the best for your overall career.
I hope you make the right decision.

mcartier713

thanks ryane... that post really cleared up a lot of things for me.

so then what all do you benefit from for being a CFII instructor and stuff?

Pilotpip

mcartier,
I've avoided this one for a while but I'll chime back in.

I've been a CFI for about 15 months. I've watched lots of friends make the regional jump with less time than I have. I wasn't ready to make the jump and I like instructing so I decided to do it longer. In the last two weeks I've logged about 10 hours of actual. I'm teaching at a university and have good benefits. It pays the bills, and as soon as I have my MEI I'll be logging more multi too.

Most of my friends have gone to TSA. Most of them have left as soon as they can. While they make a little more than I do, that is gone by the time they buy uniforms, luggage and are gone on 3 and 4 day trips. QOL is important to me and I like having weekends off right now. There is also no way I could afford first year pay for two years (TSA and then somewhere better) so I'm holding out until I have the option of going where I want to.

I've been in the industry working at an FBO for 6 years. Also had a job that had a large customer base of TWA employees. Exposure to 91, 121, 135 and military at all levels from 152s to C-5s it's also allowed me to see the good, bad and ugly sides of aviation. Lots of great advice from a number of pilots and in for the most part, I've learned that doing what works best for you is the route to go. The fastest route isn't the best for long-term in my opinion. Also, friends that didn't finish school usually don't go back after work and family come into the picture. While in the long run you'd better yourself you can't take the hit short term. I'm trying to think big picture and a degree and CFI is the route that will work for me long term.

I have the rest of my life to fly jets back and forth to the same place. I'm going to do it on my terms. Right now I'm enjoying flying some really cool aircraft (Luscombes, G-36s, 210hp 172s and others) and take pride in seeing somebody else's abilities improve because of my knowledge.