Originally Posted by
Seven Left
USMC, I'm definitely willing to instruct. Not to toot my own horn, but seeing how I've dealt with other students in my flight school, I think I'd make a pretty good instructor. I think 2000TT to be competitive is a bit of a grim outlook, though (for regionals). Don't get me wrong at all, because I really do appreciate the input. I agree that flight instructors sticking around does a lot of good for students and flight schools, but saying that is much easier when you're already flying something that climbs above 14,000. Bottom line, I took out a $70,000 loan and got into training when the hiring was strong. Have I had to change my expectations? You bet. I just didn't (and still don't) expect to have to flight instruct to the point of getting near 2000 hours to be seriously considered for a job in the right seat. Perhaps I'm optimistic, but I think things will settle down again here real soon. Until then, I'm looking at anything I can do to build time. Thanks again for the input.
In a nutshell, you could aggressively pursue a regional airline job and maybe something will come of it.
In aviation, there's usually a big difference between what we can do and what we should do:
You CAN apply to a regional airline, but you SHOULD get more experience.
You CAN spend money on time building, but you SHOULD find a instructing/commercial job.
You CAN invest in a pay-for-training program, but you SHOULD find a reputable job.
You CAN take a job for less money than your counterparts, when you SHOULD pass on the offer.
My best friend from college left aviation for a couple years and started to get back into his career this past winter. He asked the same question, instruct or time build to a regional?
I'll give you the same advice I gave him, instruct and you will learn more about flying than just being pilot.
Your application should not just be your Total Time, it should also be quality flight time. 800 hours of time building is worthless against 800 of CFI experience. Any airline interview board will tell you that.
Instructing isn't just a road block to your dream job, it teaches you how to work with people at various experience levels. The whole "I don't want to teach because I don't like to teach" attitude won't fly when your a captain at an airline. Majority of Legacy Carriers hire pilots who have worked as instructors because they realize the benefits.
Not to say people who don't instruct won't make it to a Legacy Airline one day, but the person who does instruct will definitely be the stronger candidate.
Don't set the bar for yourself at 2,000 hrs. TT, nobody one here knows what landscape of the industry will look like when your get that time. I'm assuming you got into aviation because you love to fly, instruct build your time and enjoy doing what you love. Instructing might have been some of the more stressful aviation jobs I've had in the past, but it also has been some of the most rewarding and enjoyable experiences I've had in this career.