Originally Posted by
BenS
Ace,
As I have been reading your post, there is just so much I see that I really feel the need to address even though I probably shouldn't.
First, the "having a plan B sir" quote really bugs me. How can someone with 300 hours total time talk down to anybody in aviation? Second, save the expectaction that people refer to you by your "hip" name until after you actually make it somewhere in aviation.
Okay, petty stuff aside. Look, I do want to congradulate you on the cpl and it sounds like you've managed to do so without debt. That is a HUGE financial plus in this industry. It seems to me like you want to get into aviation doing anything but instructing. That strikes a personal cord with me. I got into aviation not long ago and I wanted to do cfi work for as short a time as possible, all I wanted was airline and I didn't want anything to get into my way. I've been a flight instructor for a year now and must say I love it. I'd say take instructing for now and make it a passion for you like aviation was when you were new. If you can't have fun doing cfi work, when would you ever? In a jet watching the autopilot fly? Second if you do take cfi, give your students your best. You received good instruction from your instructors, I assume, therefore pass that knowledge on to the pilots you will be working with down the road. But if not cfi, I really do wish you the best of luck in whatever time building part 91 ops.
Fast foreward now to being a year in as a cfi. I am at about a thousand total and 50 multi (because I'm at a 172 only flight school), looking for work when you don't know anybody in this industry is not easy. If it is going to be about the money to you, then fine, that it can be. But at my school here there is a cfi that I work with now who has been at this school since I've started. Every flight instructor who was here when he was has moved to other jobs, but all he does is gripe about money. He may have 2000 hours total, but he still can't find a job that pays what "he's worth". So be very careful with the money issue, it is a very dangerous pit to fall into. Training contracts shouldn't be looked at as a penalty for quitting, just look at them as getting a very big and helpful career rating at a steep discount (or possibly free). You paid how much to get everything you have, what is a few thousand more to hold a type rating that makes you MUCH more valuable as an employee?
Lastly, I'm not going to lay into you about passing on job offers you had in the past. Not because you asked us not to, but only because whats passed has passed and there is no point in dwelling on it. But in aviation, look around. See what offers are to be had. Just remember who you work for is a business deal, they're going to lay an offer and it may not be exactly what you want. But sometime soon (don't pass on too many offers, never know when there won't be any more to come your way), sometime soon, swallow your pride and take an offer that is "close enough" to what you're looking for.
I don't know why having a plan b would bug you in anyway, as it's a very logical statement. I don't know of many people who don't have a plan B when it comes to doing anything in life. Take college for instance, people usually have a specific major in college, whether it be in business,psychology etc. People may minor, in liberal arts, marketing,etc. Reason being, say you worked for a law-firm and they went under. Maybe you can't get a job right away, well hey, maybe I can make use of this marketing degree. You have a plan b for the "what if's" in life. In this case, what if instructing isn't right for me? What if my funding gets stopped? In this case my funding got stopped and couldn't continue with my CFI courses.
As for my "hip" name...Years, before I got into aviation, I used to break dance, I do all sorts of dance and still do today. I was called Ace by many because firstly my real name was a bit hard to pronounce by many, although it is quite simple imo, and firstly "Ace Boogie" was the name given to me by my dance partners and friends alike.I've had the name "Ace" for 10 years and it stuck with me . Every real street dancer is a given a name if you knew the history, but maybe you don't so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. So next time before telling me what I should do, don't be so quick to judge.
As for me talking down to somebody.I wasn't talking down, merely disagreeing with the previous statement for the need to CFI before I further my aviation career. If I need to do it, I will do it with no complaints. But in this case like I stated before, funding stopped. Luckily for me, I've been dedicated into finding a job flying and been putting in resumes and making myself known. I've networked with many and I've been blessed with some good people that fortunately know people and have the opportunity to get my foot in the door.
As for job offers, I've had some, and I'm a calculated thinker.I'm not the type to put all my eggs in the same basket and think everything will be fine.I am currently training for a company that wants to use me as we speak and fortunate that I have been granted the opportunity.
I appreciate your congratulatory remarks. I also appreciate your advice and opinions on the situation at hand. I'd write more, but I just got home for flying, and quite frankly I would just like to put my feet up before I'm back at it in the morning. All the best and I wish you success for your future.