Originally Posted by
MobiusOne
Back in November of 07, I obtained my Multi-Commercial add on and I just finished ground school for my CFI 141 training. Only problem is now that I have to come up with close to 12K to obtain my CFI/II certs before I can even get hired at my school that I am doing my training at.
If I hope to get through in any feasible time frame, I will have to pull off a financial miracle, but the problem is that I am already tapped due to my Comm/Multi certifications. I would love to be a CFI, but it seems that I will not be able to financially obtain the training. I'm getting towards the end people, and something needs to happen.
So I was sitting and thinking, why not just send out my resumes to all the regionals now? I understand that the mins are still considerably higher then what I have, but I have the qualifications and I have the training. I'm 25 years old and and Army combat veteran, a clean driving (CDL B Endorsed) and no criminal record. I'm sure that has to count for something, right?
The regionals MUST need pilots, right? Are they going to overlook a potential candidate because he doesn't meet the min's that are already arguably lower then they should?
It's getting tough out there to be a pilot guys. The buy-in is already ludicrously high and unless something drastically changes, I think the student pool is going to dry up real quick. The fuel costs combined with the costs of training are just unrealistically out there for even the most determined student and I wonder if any of the regionals are going to to letting in some of the guys who are in the tail end.
So what do you guys think?
To answer your question, those are ridiculously low times to be even considering sending in your application to a regional. Like the others have said, go to an FBO, get your CFI/II and instruct for a year. Just get away from the academy you're at right now, ASAP. I think we all know which one we're talking about. If you CFI for a year, you'll gain all kinds of experience that will be invaluable. It is an incredible learning tool that will help get you ready for a regional. And that way you can also get some time and hold out for a regional that won't treat you like sh!t. Regardless, I don't know if even the most desperate regionals would hire at those times. Don't worry kid, you've got plenty of time. There will be plenty of jobs out there for the forseeable future.