Hello, I'm presently a CFI with DCA thinking that when I got my hours, going on to the regionals. I presently have TT 1300, but just became MEI so ME only 70. I have 700 hours in TAA. But now that it appears that only MESA is hiring (and all indications seem to steer away from there) any thoughts on best course of action? Stay as long as possible as a flight instructor, try to fly checks with someone, Part 135 job???

My goal is to fly passengers in Jet aircraft of some type, but that is beginning to feel far off and out of grasp.

Thanks in advance to anyone that responds.

 

First of all, you are fortunate that you still have a job. With airlines laying off people every day, you would be competing with many others with a lot more time than yourself for scarce jobs. If I were you, I'd keep your instructing job until the tide changes. If that job is not enough to pay the bills, find a second job.

Good things come to those who wait and who do work hard and keep the faith. Use this time to get more time and experience. Also network and meet other pilots and hiring folks. Practice interview skills by going to job fairs. Apply to Mesa and if given an interview, go to it and see how that process works.

Things are bad now everywhere, not just in aviation. But I have hope things will turn around, just don't know when and to what extent. Good luck. I'm sure many others here are dying to give their 2 cents, which is certainly more than my worthless half yuan.

 

Be happy where you are as vagabond said.

I'd stay put, build that multi time and then when the hiring starts again, go with the best option you have for QOL, pay, and so on.

 

Mesaba is currently hiring...

 

I will second Vagabond's "fortunate" statement! Now is the time to hunker down and weather the storm. I would definitely stick things out until you get 100 multi. Following that, evaluate your options and try to make an informed decision. If you get a regional job now, the chance of furlough is pretty high. But the payoff (if things work out) could be great. It just depends on how much risk you want to stomach.

Another option would be a 135 gig. Flight Express is hiring, and you will be a darn sharp pilot after flying single-pilot 135 in a C210. Best of luck in whatever you choose.

 

My question is how much money did you spend to become a CFI with DCA??????

 

And by the way, please don't apply to Mesaba with that attitude. You won't get very far......we fly turboprops and we like 'em.

 

Mesa is the king of SJS!

There are only a tiny number of t-props left...

 

Focus on MEI...when hiring picks up after a slowdown you will probably be looking at 2000-3000 TT and 300-500 ME in order to be competetive initially.

This means MEIs and freight dogs get first crack at getting on the leading edge of the next hiring wave.

 

I second and third what all of the others have said. I would just stick where you are for the time being. You can get on with a freight co. but that could go away in short order and you may not have a MEI job to go back to. This is very poor timing to be a new hire anywhere.

I have just a hair under 2000TT with 1000ME and 700 turbine and I couldnt buy my way into another flying gig right now. I have called about jobs flying cessna 414s and barons and they told me they have resumes on their desks with guys with multiple type ratings and heavy international PIC for a piston prop job. This time last year they would have been calling me offering me the job on a silver platter, those times are LONG gone. Might as well get comfortable where you are and be happy to have a good CFI gig.