Flying is Cool

Amen to that.

ERJ Driver

#1
Actually, coming to Mesa and then leaving in 12 months hurts more than helps the situation here. The training costs incurred are a lot higher than what is recovered by low first-year pay...

#2
I can't understand the thinking here- if you want to flight instruct, then do it. Don't instruct if you are going to suck at it and have your thoughts on just time building. That is unethical to your paying customer-student.

Why would going straight from a CMEL to the right seat of an airliner cause the industry to slide downward into a never ending cycle of low pay??? That makes no sense. Taking the argument in the reverse, by flight instructing before coming to an airline you cause instructor pay to spiral downward in a never ending cycle...

I don't get it.

freezingflyboy

I agree. I did the same thing and didn't leave for the regionals until it was for a place I wanted to go (XJT). Had a lot of friends from CFIing who jumped at the first thing to come along and they are now either here at XJT 6-12 months behind me on the seniority list or at another "top level" regional, again 6-12 months behind the guys who waited a couple months to go there in the first place. Or they are miserable while they stick it out at some of the crummier regionals out there. To each his own.

ExperimentalAB

I can't agree here...Hired on with Trans States at 500TT, built another 200 in the Jet over two months and another 100 in Cubs and Champs on my days off. Came to SkyWest after two months on the line and got hired at 802TT.

I was ahead of all my buddies at Trans States, and I'm ahead of all my buddies thinking of SkyWest. Like most things in life - it all depends upon your situation. There's no "Golden, rule-of-thumb" here!

F35Captain

the best thing to be now is a flight instructor. the demand is high for instructor most 141 college offer free tuition now. look at me i actually turn down a 121 job with only 250 hours just to go back to school. My friend are looking at me like I'm crazy but in the long run it will pay off.

freezingflyboy

Sounds like a hell of deal! Go back to college, CFI, work on your MBA on the side, make as much as you would at a regional while you CFI and kiss the 4am wake up calls GOODBYE!!!

spartanpilot

As a CFII/MEI I feel the need to chime in as well. When you graduate with your CFI license and after the 6- 8 hour Oral and 2-3 hour flight you think you know everything in the FAR/AIM, but until you go to teach your knowledge to someone who has no experience in aviation is when you start to really learn an know what you are talking about. And believe me, flying IFR get really real when you take your student in the clouds the their first time and you realize that in reality you are the on at the controls cause they have the leans and are worthless (because they are just now learning) and cant really help you.

In a way being a CFII or a part 135 cargo pilot is a way of paying your dues and really learning how to become a good safe pilot. I can honestly say that I am greatful for teaching and really learning and knowing my stuff before I go into a regional airline where I have 50+ lives in my hands. That is alot of responsibility. When you are a CFII you can make mistakes and learn form them, but as an FO you are not allowed to have bad days or make mistakes. Yes the captain is there, but he doesnt want to fly with someone who he constantly has to watch and correct because they didnt take the time to get that knowledge behind them.

So I urge you to take the time and get that 700 or more hours of flight time in and go to a place where you will be happy. Being a flight instructor is respectable and very rewarding when your first student solo's and passes their first checkride. With out CFII's we all wouldn't be where we are today and I promise you that it will be well worth it!

captchris

You don't have to trade QOL for quality of time man, that what is wrong with a lot of these crappy companies/contracts out there---people think like this. There are respectable regionals out there that offer a decent compensation package, benefits, etc. You just have to not sell yourself out. At any rate---it beats the good old days at BG

F35Captain

I feel sorry for the the low timer's who go to ATP for 6 month and jump right into the airlines without any college degree. with this industry you never know what could happen the next day and you always need something to fall back on.

ehaeckercfi

AND fly without a FD or an autopilot