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Old 09-12-2010 | 08:18 PM
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rickair7777
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From: Engines Turn or People Swim
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Originally Posted by nimdabew
My issue is how would this look like to a potential employeer?
Good question. The time will count, but bottom line is that someone who was employed as a CFI or professional pilot would be more competitive. The problem with recreational flying is that it's usually easy to make a go/no-go decision...you don't have conflicting priorities from the boss, customer, etc.

But since you will probably need 1000-1500+ hours to get an airline job anyway...you might as well go for it. As long as you have a good amount of professional flying on top of the rental time you should not have any employer issues.

But expect to be queried about it...

- They will wonder if you falsified the whole thing...keep meticulous records, including hotel, gas, food receipts and take them to any interview. Photos of the trip would be good too.

- Fatigue. They might suspect that such a trip would be so fatiguing as to be reckless. Have a plan to prevent fatigue, and be prepared to explain it.

- They may also wonder if you are a spoiled rich kid...they probably won't ask about the financing, so you should somehow work into the conversation how you had to scrimp, save, beg, and borrow to afford it.

The good news is that most pilots will find such a "road trip" intriguing...it will make a good conversation topic once you establish that it was legit.


Originally Posted by nimdabew
I know the average pilot does not accumulate 400 hours in a three month period unless they are flying the line for an overstretched regional, or maybe do what I plan on doing.
Even the worst regionals could not come anywhere near 400 hours in three months...legal max would be 300.
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