Originally Posted by
ACEAV8R
You know, I read most threads posted here and there are so many hypocritical comments. We talk about how pilots have to stick together with the brotherhood(and sisterhood) and the ongoing war between pilots and managements, blah, blah, blah. But now, when there are guys who don't have to instruct for 5 years(God forbid) to get into the flight deck trying to start a career for themselves, the whole unified bs blew away with the wind. The point that instructing experience is a common belief to folks is well taken however don't "hate" on the guy(or gal) who didn't have to go through the "CFI experience". The truth of the matter is that if this opportunity was given to the one who had to instruct, chances are they would have jumped all over it. If you feel unsafe, there are more options but keep in mind, the guy with tens of thousands of hours is very much capable of screwing up. My point? Instead of knocking down the newbie in the sky, try to stick to that "we have to stick together" thing that is attempted against management.
**Disclaimer**: This was by no means a flame or an attempt to offend anybody. Just statements of the truth.
A newbie in the sky needs to make sure he gets all the information he can prior to making a big decision. There are many here who've made laterals and a chunk of them who feel they should have never gone to the place they went to before it. People here have worked at Mesa and Trans-States and haven't been very happy there. Why put yourself though that? I've never had a flying job that wasn't great. I loved being a CFI. I made good money, built good honest flight time, and learned a thing or two about teaching. I'm not saying anyone is any less for doing otherwise, but some are advocates of going one direction and I'll be an advocate of going the direction I did. I've been very happy with the route I took. Never any regrets. If I didn't push this direction of thought then a disservice would be done. Most people have a set long term goal and I doubt anywhere in there is to get hired at the worst regional with worst work rules possible, build flight time slowly, making peanuts, then make a lateral move to go down to the bottom of seniority at another regional. Some are simply put in this unfortunate position but there are others who chose it.
There's nothing wrong with everyone arguing on both sides of the fence. You sound like we're doing it to be mean and aren't being unified. We're doing it to make sure the poster fully understands which decision he's about to make. We do it so he can make the decision that will be in his best interest. This isn't us being mean or not unified. We're doing it because we've all been in his position before, have shared his enthusiasm, and want what's best for him. Since we don't know what it is exactly he really wants we can only inform him to our best.
My opinion is flight instruction is one of the most valuable flight experiences you'll have. You'll learn a great deal as well as have a great sense of accomplishment when you see a student grow because of the skills you taught them. You'll also be opened up to many new experiences. If you fly out of an FBO and not a school you'll fly more aircraft and do things you never thought about.... I've flown a T-6, steermans and other biplanes, chased down illegals crossing the border in huskies landing in riverbeds, flown to other countries, several experimentals, etc. all as a cfi which was a big deal then. I don't care what I fly now I still miss the steerman. I think I'll hit that corp duster up this week! If I had just gone "the office" style environment of 121 I never would have had the good times I had then. Now I just hope I can make enough to go do those things again one day!