When should I quit my day job?
 

Hello,

I am starting my CFI training this week with the end goal of making it to the regionals and eventually majors. I am a newly graduated college student with my BS in nursing. My work history is a bit rocky. I held numerous jobs throughout college and have solid references. However, I was fired from my first real job after college during my first 90 days for not passing probation. One week after being let go I was hired at another hospital and I have continued to work there ever since. I have been at my current hospital for 6 months. Assuming I get my CFI in about two months, would quitting a job after 8 months look bad on a resume? I want to work as a CFI full time to build time as quickly as possible, but I also don't want to sabotage my chances of getting hired.

Side note, I have no DUIs or speeding tickets but I do have one checkride failure under my belt (commercial SEL). Assuming I don't pass my CFI the first time around that'd be two check ride failures.

Do any of these issues pose a threat to my future?

Thanks, everyone!

Quitting your job to attend training for a career change is a non-event. Although given the issue with the first nursing job, it wouldn't hurt to have a longer track record of stability in that industry. Might not want it to look like you're running from your troubles.

CFI checkrides are the most forgivable failures. But since you already have one bust, try really hard not to fail any more.

I really don't think you're first non aviation job would not be a issue you explain. I don't even think anyone would ask about it... heck on my interview and application for my employer I never even marked any non aviation jobs.. I just showed the interviewer my other professional resume. After being a cfi for a year you will probably have 2 or three aviation jobs under your belt by doing odd jobs, sky diving, 91 ferry, part 142 sim, etc. You'll have several letters of recommendation as well. Leaving your current job to work. As a CFI is no big deal... all i would want to hear as an interviewer, nursing just isn't for me. A part time per diem nursing job will help supplement income during cfi and regional FO years quite nicely. Nothing wrong with having a side gig.

The regional airlines will only care about aviation jobs, criminal background, check ride failures and ability to fog a mirror. My company will not hire someone with two check ride failures without some sort of help. I am at an AA WO.

Also per federal law, non aviation jobs can not say why you are no longer employed, only confirm dates of work. Aviation jobs are governed under PRIA.

There is nothing to say you have to report your first job either... there is no way for any potential aviation employer to find out.... just saying... if you need any help with employment law, feel free to ask me.

Wow, this is scary. So hypothetically if I don't pass my CFI there's a possibility I won't be able to be hired at an AA WO? I'm open to other regionals but AA WOs are on the top of my list. If it makes a difference, the reason I failed my CSEL was because I forgot to exercise my prop on runup. It was a brain fart due to nerves (I lost my job at hospital #1 about a few days prior).

Having an RN license is like gold, especially if you are wanting to become an airline pilot. You will never go hungry or be broke no matter what happens to the airlines. As far as being fired from a hospital, no worries. Only dates of employment are given by employers. You will be one of the few pilots to go through your career worry free. Most of us have no back up plan like an RN license. What state are you in? NYC and California pay good money to per diem nurses and chances are your regional will have a NYC base. Good luck and feel blessed. I'd love to be in your shoes.

I have one part 91 failure and two 121 unsafe and work for a legacy. Just own your mistakes when interview time comes. Don’t be defensive. Tell them what you did wrong and what you did to fix the situation.

I work in Califoria and make a regional captain salary. I worked hard for my RN license but I do realize I'm lucky to have joined an industry with such good job security. I'm also contemplating grad school. It'd be two years but then I'd be able to work from home (or in a hotel) with a tele-medicine company. However, I don't want to miss the regional airline boom. Aviation has always been my passion and I know I will be a professional pilot in some capacity in the future.

This is encouraging. Thank you.

Your commercial and cfi are almost the same ride.... except it's in the right seat with a little talking...

Use the initial failure as a learning experience... let that learning experience take you through your whole aviation career.

You'll be just fine. Everyone is allowed a false start, or two, or three, in life. Just be honest... never want to be caught being dishonest.