so here's the deal.. I have my commercial pilot's license and I'm trying to find out the best way to work my way into a regional airline. I currently work for a major Canadian airline as a flight attendant supervisor, and recently they've decided to launch a new regional airline with a Launch date of roughly 18 months.. and a two year roll out plan. Ideally I'd like to keep my foot in the door. Here are my options as I see them:

1) The school I got my commercial license in Calgary is willing to train me as an Instructor and take me on.. Benefit is I get a discount on my training and I'd be able to keep my flight attending job. Con is the weather isn't always the best so experience may be slower

2) I've done some investigating into becoming an instructor at a school in Victoria .. Benefit is the weather is better, they are connected to a university program and I would still be able to keep my flight attending job. Con is, I'd have to move and the costs associated, as well as me not being familiar with the school and airspace.

3) Go for broke... Get a loan from the bank of parents, finish my multi - IFR license and look for a flying job. I've heard rumblings of movement in low time hiring companies no guarantees' but it would get me going. Either way, I would have to get the multi - IFR license and the experience would seem more suited to getting that regional job. Con is I'd have to quit my flight attending job, and barely be able to make ends meet to say nothing for a mountain of debt.

Also of note: The instructor route would give me more command time, which would open more doors for me in the long term with the regional airline’s career progression. The go for broke option wouldn’t give me the command time, but it would give me the experience a regional airline would look for.

What path do you think seems to make most sense?

 

You need to be building flight hours. Get a flying job and build time until you have enough experience to get hired at a regional. If you have to get your CFI in order to get a flying job then go get the CFI.

Also, you need to meet the minimums so you will need a commercial, Multi and instrument. As for what CFI job to go for. Go to the one that you can become a Multi engine instructor someday because Multi time helps big time when applying for regionals.