FlyingRae

Pros and cons of going to cape Air now at 1100tt. Or sticking out as a CFI and going to a regional at 1500. I’m getting about 50hrs/mo as a CFI making minimal pay.

I’ve got a job offer at a regional already and I’ve also got a job offer with Cape Air.... I can’t decide what’s the best route to Fed Ex.

TIA

AirBear

Does the regional offer any kind of flow-thru to a major airline? If it does then take that job. I could be wrong but I think F/O turbine time is more valuable than single pilot multi piston time.

Toonces

Cape Air doesn’t have a flow thru with JetBlue, but they do have a history of hiring Cape pilots through their gateway program. I know of other Cape pilots who made it here through more circuitous paths. I don’t think Cape Air is a silver bullet to get you to FedEx though.


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ZippyNH

You will be a much better pilot flying the plane everyday, doing 5-7 landings as a Cape Air pilot than as a CFI with 1500 hrs who is rusty after telling other people how to fly....
Yes, you will be a great teacher at 1500 hrs, but you skills will be rusty.
What's faster, who knows, so many factors, but you will learn skills and gain experience that will help you for many years...you might even have some fun....yes being an instructor is Noble, but it rarely pays the bills, and after the first 500-800 hrs, you have learned more than enough to start applying the knowledge.
As to the "value" of single pilot light twin time...well, it is scheduled, and last time I checked, it counts toward the 1000 PIC time needed for 121 captain/pic requirement....
So if you leave after 1000, you COULD be a street captain, or more likely upgrade in a couple of months after you are comfortable after flying the heavier plane.
It's up to you to decide decide if the training contract for a sub 1200 hr pilot (think they MIGHT) makes sense...
Really, at about 1200, so many options open up

Otterbox

Cape Air over CFI then go to a regional/JetBlue when the time comes.

skruts

Isn't Cape not running classes until October? If that is the case, I would stick it out and go to a 121 regional. You'll make more, have a better QoL, and can get hired by FedEx straight from the regional. From Cape Air.... sure it's possible but I wouldn't count on it.

If Cape Air can put you in a class next month and you're willing to dedicate at least a year and a half to them (upgrade @ ATP mins + a year with the $30,000 training bond) then go for it. You'll have a blast there and everyone I've met from Cape enjoys it. But don't count on going to a major straight from there. LCC/ULCC is a real possibility I have heard, however. Also if you already live in a Cape Air base that isn't super senior, that would be a good reason to go there.

If it was me and I was in your shoes, I would go to a regional at 1500. See if you can network at the FBOs and get some right seat time in a citation or learjet as an SIC. With your hours and experience that would be a great way to log a little more time and make some extra money.

VIRotate

You have 1100 hours and are debating between 9K and a regional? Stick it out CFIing another 4 months and go to a regional. You will make more money year 1 and with what, a $30,000 signing bonus?

I flew for Cape. If you went to them as an FO, you would be required to upgrade to captain and then fly for a year minimum as a captain or else owe them 30k. Why would you sign a 30k contract vs. being paid a 30k bonus to fly a jet?

Go fly an airplane that actually has meaningful time (jet 121) while making $45 an hour + 30k in bonuses.