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Old 11-15-2009 | 12:45 PM
  #37  
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NoStep
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From: Missionary
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Originally Posted by V1Rotate
So here is the deal, I have almost 2000 hours and 1600-1700 duel given. I love to fly, but I am completely burned out on instructing. Watching students try to maintain heading and altitude while hanging the airplane on the prop during slow flight in 115 degree Arizona heat, trying to impress upon my 12th instrument student how to select and execute a proper hold entry, and dealing with the stress and annoyance of endless stagechecks and checkrides (particularly when students fail) is taking it's toll on me.

To make matters worse, I work at a sweat shop, 4 flights a day equates to 12 hours, or more at work, and now they are starting to demand instructors come in on their days off if quotas are not met regardless of whether it is thru any fault of our own. I make a lower middle class salary with benefits, although a large chunk of that goes to student loans, but I'm miserable.

Like I said, I love to fly, and it's hard to see myself doing anything else, but I am having serious thoughts of just leaving the industry. I'm only 24 and never thought I would be this burned out and miserable this early in my career.

No airline seems to be hiring, in fact I'm not sure I could even find another instructor job if I lost this one, but I really need to get out of instructing, and into some sort of transport operation, 121, 135, corporate or fractional, in this country or just about any other. Is there anything out there?
So you want to be an airline pilot? No offense, but you already HAVE an airline lifestyle. 115degree heat with no APU, stress of endless checkrides, 4 flights a day for 12 hours of work, sitting around the airport on your days off, lower-middle class pay with student loans, and early burn-out! That sums it up pretty well, only you get to see exotic places like Cleveland, Fargo, and Midland Odessa at the regionals (we have all-u-can-eat cookie snacks and sodas too).

Don't mean to be Debbie-Downer here, but hey, you're employed in a lousy time for aviation. It may not seem like it, but you're blessed.
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