Originally Posted by
ACEAV8R
Again, I am a new to the site and I just wanted to get some insight on starting a regional career. At the way things are going, it is almost pointless to be a CFI unless you just want to be one. Before, it was almost a "must" in order to build time. Regionals are hiring right down to multi/comm. My question is, are pilots that don't do the CFI thing setting themselves up for failure? Experience would always play on their side but are they respected and given the same opportunities as those that did? It seems like alot of the older pilots are against those that get their ratings and jump into the flight deck(low patience with IOE, etc). I am at the point to either go one way or the other and I thought it would be better to just get my seniority and experience at the same time. Please give honest opinions but also be professional.
Thanks in advanced.
Just because the airlines are not requiring anything more than a wet commercial multi certificate doesn't mean thats the experience they want. They are extremely desparate. From your point of view, the question becomes "well, if I do instruct, how do I know when Im ready to apply?" And I would say thats a difficult question to answer. But I would say look at the kind of experience you have after getting the bare bones minimums. Do you have any real PIC time, other than what you can legally log while recieving dual? Do you have actual instrument time? Do you have a good grasp on the ATC system in the IFR departure, enroute and terminal environments and do you know how to communicate acurately and quickly with ATC? This is the kind of experience you want a sufficient amount of before going to the airlines. Keep in mind, once you have that commercial certificate, you are instantly allowed to fly for hire. The airlines will hire you with the understanding that you are capable of dealing with everything that comes along with that, especially in the IFR environment and they do not spend any time re-teaching that stuff to you. Evaluate your experience honestly and choose wisely. Good luck!