saxman66

I've been CFIing for about 4 months now. Just a little past the 100 dual given mark. Now I got an offer doing aerial surveying starting in October. The pay is much better, I'd build a ton of hours, and its something I wanted to do in the first place before I started CFIing, yet they just weren't hiring. I'm just wondering how it would look to an airline, if I left my current job so soon. (5 months) Like it shows, I can't commit to a job long term or something. The other issue is telling my current Chief pilot. Although it was after I got hired, he asked that we stay at least 8 months to a year. So I want to make sure I leave in good terms. Also would an airline look more highly at a CFI? Although tedious, my skills are forced to be very sharp when teaching. Surveying, I'd have to make sure to keep my instrument skills sharp on those long XC flights. This is an opportunity I don't want to miss, yet I want to make sure I leave here on good terms and make sure future employers look at it as a good choice, and not a "I just wanted to quit being an instructor" type deal.

jacksjj

I'd do the survey gig. Dont burn any bridges, but if you can do it... do it.

rickair7777

Generally at your level a flying job is better for your QOL and may allow you to build time faster, but the CFI thing is better for your career in some ways:
You stay up on the regs & theory
Exposure to more aspects of aviation
Networking

Traffic watch/pipeline folks who do not have a CFI certificate often flunk airline training because they get really rusty on a lot of stuff (not that they even knew half of it to begin with). Since you already have some dual given, the airlines would probably be OK with you. If I were in your shoes, I would probably take the job and do some CFI/MEI on the side to stay in the game.

However you need to carefully judge your current employer as to how he will treat you on future background checks...this is crucial! You are the only one who has an exact feel for the situation. Unfortunately, unscrupulous employers have a lot of coercive power over pilots in this situation. Perhas you could agree to work part-time for him?

undcmsu

You need to move on to the survey gig, IMO. Airlines don't seem to mind a few job changes along the way, it's part of the time-building experience, as long as you don't have a new job 4 times a year. Can you work part-time for your current employer? Or can you find/recommend a fellow CFI to fill your current position? If you find the replacement chances are your boss wouldn't be nearly as upset as you anticipate.

If going to the airlines is what you want you need to get there as fast as possible while building quality time in the process. A fairly large number of new-hires at my company are straight out of instructing and it shows. You could stay and get 1500 dual given, but it'd be one hour repeated 1500 times. The same could be said for the survey job. Regardless of your decision you need to put yourself in the best possible position to be hired at an airline. Stay up on regs and maintain proficiency, not just currency. If you're worried about that part...ask the survey boss if you could bring along a safety pilot once in a while and fly an approach on the way back in or practice whatver. Just my two cents...good luck!

undcmsu

Are you at UND or just a Sioux fan?

ERJ135

Are you doing the survey work for Northern States aviation out of ROC. Have a friend that just hired there. Sounds interesting, and good money.

mccube5

I just got hired with a survey company out of Utica, NY (Landcare Aviation). I too will be starting in October. It was a "pretty tough decision" for me to make, quit my current CFI job or go do this survey job.

I could either keep dealing with the uncertainties of being a CFI: an ever changing schedule that everyday manages to throw curveballs at you with students cancelling and waiting for the guy who's 30 min late, while making crappy money, logging 35-40 hours a month billing 50-60 (which did not put me in a position to make rent and pay bills let forget even eating)

Or i could take this new job: log nearly 100+ hours a month, be on salary, fly all over the country mixing in nearly all types of flying imaginable, and actually fly the airplane.

The surveying seems like a great job for someone in my position both in the short and long term. Im looking forward to what this new job has to offer and think it will be better for me in the long term.

Saxman-which survey company were you talking about?

kansas

Build the most time possible, as quickly as possible. If you can get paid well to do it, even better! But perhaps most importanly...Due to those previously mentioned upcoming background checks...NEVER EVER burn a bridge. This issue depends on your present employer, and how you think they would handle you leaving so soon. Good luck.

dash8301

Do the survey work. I had a freind do that and he thought it was great. I wish I had been able to do something other than CFI when I was building time.

saxman66

Better believe it!


mccube- Guess I'll be seeing you in October! Most likely. I'm going to Landcare as well. Send me a PM.

I talked to the guy about staying proficient. He said they encourage all their pilots to fly IFR while relocating and to shoot approaches even when getting back from our daley routine. My current Chief seems to like me. He sat down with me a while back and gave some pointers to become a better CFI. I certainly want to improve my teaching and believe I have come a long way. I'd be leaving a pretty fun college town too.