Input on job decision
Thank you for reading and any input. I am a fairly new CFI with about 320TT with the ability to get my R-ATP, and I currently work for a part 61 flight school that also is involved with 141 training. I currently work around 65-70 hour per month (billed), with about 25-35 hours of that being flight time. I get to make my schedule, and I love what I do. I am the sole CFI at my location, which is nice as I get to manage a little of the daily operations. Some cons would be no guarantee pay, students, or flight hours. Pros are having the ability to be the boss with my schedule to fit in with my other things.
The company I work for has tentatively offered me a position as a CFI at one of our 141 locations (same commute) that has an overflow of students. I would likely be averaging 80-100 hours of flight time there, with mandatory 40 hours per week (Ground/Flight/SIM/preflight/post brief). I would somewhat be in control of my schedule, with the occasional Saturday when weather is bad during the week. Pay is salary, with my current job I can work about 21 hours per week and make the exact same as I would with this new position. Pros for this job is the guarantee pay, students, and flight hours. Cons are more work, less $ per hour, and less flexibility.
My dilemma is this, my wife and I are currently expecting our first baby boy in May. I currently am finishing my BA in aviation online. I also have a small side gig, I have figured out that I could make the new position work, but it will be tight. Is taking on more work, worth the possibility that the industry will recover by the time I have the hours. Or am I getting hours "too quickly for the current industry" to reap the benefits. Would having 1200 hours TT be helpful to get into some heavier metal in the next 12 months.
I have been thinking If I took this new position I could have a lot more hours in 12 calendar months than I could have with my current job, which maybe could get me into a new position flying some heavier metal. Or I could potentially be in a better position with more hours when the next hiring wave begins.
Looking for some input, wisdom, and advice.