Application questions
 

How can determine my complete driver history for the past 10 years? I know I can get a report from my state and NDR, but are there any other sources? Also, all of my instruction has been as an independent flight instructor (self-employed) for a flying club. When an application asks for a supervisor should I just put self-employed or give the name of a contact that can verify my instructing for this club? I am currently president and was chief flight instructor of this small club. Should I put my title as such, or just as independent flight instructor? Thanks in advance.

I would include your titles. assuming that you have a means of verifying them. Airlines like folks who have demonstrated some leadership and responsibility. Actually many of the folks in your airline ground school will have been 141/135 check airmen or chief pilots. Actually an interviewer might wonder about someone who did 2-4 years as a CFI and never picked up any leadership responsibility...there might have been a reason for that (too lazy or irresponsible).

For self-employed, I would tell them that (since you won't have W-2's). But you will need to provide references who can vouch for your self-employment, and the best person would be the "boss". Airlines understand that many flight school use contractor status simply as an way to avoid taxes.

What if I really was self employed? I spent about a year instructing in a flying club where I would find my own students and instruct them with no oversight. The Club president was aware I was doing flight training and had to OK the students but other than that didn't really care what went on. I can probably put down my students or the club president as a reference. The club president would look better on paper but I guarantee my students would give me a better recommendation since I hardly knew the president.

Which reference are you looking to give and for what purpose?
If for employment reference to prove that you were truly a self-emlpoyed (contract) flight instructor - the president of the club under which you were instructing would be the logical choice.

If looking for personal references about what a great pilot and instructor you are - then of course students would be the preferred reference, though if I were interviewing/hiring, I wouldn't have much use for a student/private pilot's opinion of whether the instructor was a gift to aviation or a ham fisted buffoon. Now references from more experienced pilot's that an instructor might have given BFRs or IPCs too might be a different story.

References can be a tricky thing. It matters much more what the potential employer thinks of them than what the hopeful employee thinks of them.

USMCFLYR