Originally Posted by
aviator1998
Can you shine some light on the process to get into TK? I'm assuming off probation but is that pretty much it? The TK work interests me but it also seems like for someone who has other side hobbies/projects outside of work it may be a better lifestyle to bid reserve if you live in base and try and not fly, although it sounds like staffing is closing the door to that tactic. Can you get more than 12-13 off if you wanted? How many hours are you crediting per month and at what pay rate is TK paid?
You apply online - probably already have most of it done as it was required for new hires to fill out after getting a CJO.
Read section 23 of the contract. TK instructors bid for days off currently using an in house bidding system but are transitioning to PBS shortly. You can’t get extra days off…but working more is always an option. MPG is 90 hours and you earn every penny of it most days. Most instructors feel that PBS is going to be pretty punitive for junior commuters. Locals within 60 minutes of TK are probably living a pretty good life. There is no automated trading system for instructors as trading events right now is at discretion of the company and finding someone else willing to trade. Depending on the commute it is easy to lose several days off per month to accommodate RSV and the UPA commuter policy.
Pay is pretty good for a junior pilot but you have to account for local living expenses which eats into the higher MPG pretty quickly. The first year and any time you are training for an additional qualification is a grind. Most find themselves putting in 2-3x the amount of work relative to the students. You have to learn the briefings…you have to learn the scripts…you have to learn multiple different operating systems for the sims. After that you start learning where all the common mistakes are and what different backgrounds present different challenges. Aka- CRJ and Mil pilots typically struggle with automation. Bus pilots have to learn how to fly again etc.
TK is probably the closest a United pilot may get to being part of a military ready room. You will make friends and see different personalities and teaching styles. You will also run into instructors that have been in TK too long and are phoning in the job.
I’d only take the job right now if you have a passion for teaching or have small kids in the house AND live local. NB CA pay and finding a cheaper place outside some of our other bases is likely going to net the same income and be an easier job. This is why resignations were so high last year and unless they pay folks what they can hold it will be difficult to retain instructors much longer as TUMI 2 or 3 gets negotiated.