Airline Pilot Central Forums - Flight Instructor as a Career?

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I'd say CFI, so you can start to get paid to build flight time and experience.

Definitely makes sense. How is it flying for UPS?

No complaints. click on the link at the bottom of my sig line for more info.

Quote:

Originally Posted by de727ups (Post 363505)

click on the link at the bottom of my sig line for more info.

Very Inspirational. ;)

Build some experience and try for Flight Safety or Simuflite in the sims. They pay pretty well, if you can get in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swass (Post 366629)

Build some experience and try for Flight Safety or Simuflite in the sims. They pay pretty well, if you can get in.

ditto. I work for a smaller 142 training center. I make 70,000 + per year, home every night, and some days are only two hours long! You only know you're sked one week in advance where I work however. On the flip side, there are some weeks you are there everyday. When you're off, you're off!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otto123 (Post 363484)

Thank you everyone for your responses and advice. I am truly as confused as when I started, LOL. Just kidding.

It seems that like any other job, you have to apply yourself to make a good go of it. I understand that and have no issues with that.

I guess your responses lead me to another aspect to ask since I haven't been working in the aviation industry.

Obviously building time and getting multiple ratings, along with learning the nuances of aviation is a good thing that can be attributed to instructing; what I was wondering is if most of you acquired your current jobs through either people you met while instructing, or through networking while instructing? Is it the practice of pumping out resumes and time/rating information to different aviation employers in hopes you get return calls? Did most of you walk your resumes in to meet face to face the first time? I have heard that this industry is a huge "who you know" industry. Have any of you worked with a mentor as you have built time? Is there any benefit to working with a mentor in the airline industry?

Again, thanks for your advice.

Also, thank you for the link to the story of your career progression...very interesting read that brings up another question.

For someone such as myself getting ready to finish up my commercial, which is more valuable right out of the box, a commercial multi or the CFI?

Every job I have ever gotten in aviation was a result of someone I knew in advance, mostly from CFI days. Networking is important, but more so for later on in your career...very few people get major airline jobs without an inside recomendation.

When the entry-level pilot supply is low, which has been the case recently, you can often get a CFI, 135, or regional job without knowing anyone. For small companies, walking into their office might pay off.

www.ifta.aero

Great place to work! starting pay of almost 50K first year, free full benefits as well. you'll see some lifers there with good experience and stories, things never get old. They feed you everyday with an on-site cafeteria for $3. if you're looking into a career CFI gig, this is a great one! I only left because i didn't want to instruct forever, i may regret that down the road here...

pm me if you have more questions

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swass (Post 366629)

Build some experience and try for Flight Safety or Simuflite in the sims. They pay pretty well, if you can get in.

Excellent suggestion... I work part-time for SimuFlite and fly the line full time. Greatest gig in the world!