Originally Posted by
flyin201
Actually I am an MEI with about 180 multi hours.
I guess my big question would be where to go from here? Ive considered 135, 121, even forest service flying. Ive heard your first job after being a CFI kind of "labels" you as a pilot for the rest of your career and I want to make sure whichever route I decide is going to be the right one.
Is it true that your first job after CFI sets you on a "track" that is hard to get away from?
I wouldn't quite say that, just be aware of the issues involved with each track.
However, your third job should reflect your preferred career path.
After CFI you can do entry-level corporate (king air, light piston twin), 135 night freight, or anything else that gives you more multi, turbine, or larger/faster airplane experience.
From there, if you move into better corporate jobs you could still have a shot at a major airline someday, but the majors will generally give some preference to those with regional 121 experience. That is not hard-and-fast, if you are a great candidate with time in larger bizjets you will be competitive at the majors if that's where you want to go from there. Citation, King Air, Caravan, etc time is not so great for major airlines.
If you go to the regionals instead, you may suffer from a stigma which the corporate pilots call "airline stink". This means that you are used to having everything done for you (Wx, flight plan, fueling, cabin cleaning, passenger interaction, etc). But this is obviously very subjective and 100% avoidable...if you go to a regional stay in close contact with everyone you know in corporate/135. Try to do some part-time 91/135 contract flying if possible. As long as someone sticks up for you when the boss asks about airline stink, you should be OK.
Once you are competitive for regionals and corporate jobs, it would make sense to pick a track. For the foreseeable future you will need more than just CFI ASEL time to go either route...so take whatever opportunity you have to acquire better flight time.