CFI to Kalitta?
09-03-2023, 11:55 PM
#11
Line Holder
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: MD11 Gear Jerk
Posts: 49
Truly jaw dropping how things have changed!
09-04-2023, 07:39 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,539
I'll be the unpopular guy: don't skip the regionals. Regional training departments excel at turning 1,500 hour CFIs into regional FOs. Training departments at heavy metal operators turn smaller jet pilots into heavy metal pilots. Not saying you can't make the jump from CFI to heavy metal, but at the regionals you'll get far more cycles in the actual seat to learn your craft, whereas at the big iron shops you could get 2-3 landings a month.
09-04-2023, 07:43 AM
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,213
I'm planning my next career move. I hit my restricted ATP minimums 400 hours ago, but have still been instructing because I enjoy it, am making pretty good money and have a good quality of life. That being said, I plan on moving on to flying jets in early 2024.
The next logical step would be the regionals, but most of them work 4 day trips. I'd rather work 2-3 week trips. I'd also love the chance to fly international trips. Would someone with a CFI background, with only 2000 hours (mostly single engine piston) every have a chance to get hired directly on with Kalitta or a similar company? Or are the regionals still a necessary stepping stone?
The next logical step would be the regionals, but most of them work 4 day trips. I'd rather work 2-3 week trips. I'd also love the chance to fly international trips. Would someone with a CFI background, with only 2000 hours (mostly single engine piston) every have a chance to get hired directly on with Kalitta or a similar company? Or are the regionals still a necessary stepping stone?
09-04-2023, 11:15 AM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2008
Posts: 302
I'll be the unpopular guy: don't skip the regionals. Regional training departments excel at turning 1,500 hour CFIs into regional FOs. Training departments at heavy metal operators turn smaller jet pilots into heavy metal pilots. Not saying you can't make the jump from CFI to heavy metal, but at the regionals you'll get far more cycles in the actual seat to learn your craft, whereas at the big iron shops you could get 2-3 landings a month.
09-04-2023, 12:17 PM
#16
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2022
Position: Cherokee FO
Posts: 33
Besides OTS CFI's going to ABX/ATI and the Atlas 73 program; if you're dead set on K4 you can come in as a Lear/Falcon 20 pilot for K9 and "flow" to K4 two years later, IIRC the Charters operation is week on/week off or 2 on/2 off if that's the schedule you want, if you're trying to stay in YIP/PTK/DTW you can go to USAJet or IFL group and fly MD88's or 727's and try to jump over once you have some jet time
09-04-2023, 06:17 PM
#17
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,254
Speak for yourself if you think you are capable. Don't put words in my mouth; I speak very well for myself.
Dunno-don't care has never flown a 747 or 777 (or 767). (S)he wouldn't know what' (s)he's talking about.
Funny...(s)he claims I'm on her ignore list, but is very concerned about what is said. Go figure.
09-05-2023, 05:32 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,473
The training at Kalitta is fast and furious. It is a stretch to go from flying mostly single engine aircraft to moving in to a widebody that flies worldwide.
It is not an impossible task, but if you are not up for it it will become a training failure which will not be helpful in the future.
It is not an impossible task, but if you are not up for it it will become a training failure which will not be helpful in the future.
09-05-2023, 07:58 PM
#19
New Hire
Joined APC: Oct 2021
Posts: 3
I am so very thankful for my stint in the regionals. However brief, I would not have survived both the type and line training without the experience. In my opinion, nothing sharpens and consolidates your skills like a 5 sector day and I had to lean heavily on this prior experience during my training. I could not have imagined a sucessful outcome for myself trying to learn a complex heavy while still figuring out the 121 (et al) stuff.
Disclaimer, I'm of exactly average ability - so maybe those more capable do find they can do both!
Disclaimer, I'm of exactly average ability - so maybe those more capable do find they can do both!
09-05-2023, 10:05 PM
#20
Line Holder
Joined APC: Nov 2010
Posts: 33
Plus will you be happy here, its not the place for a career starter... we fly 80-100 hrs a month but only land maybe 2 times a month, 4 man crews means you dont actually get stick time which is what you will want and need at this stage in your career.
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