First off I would adviSe you to learn the difference between the word adviSe and adviCe. That is my first bit of adviCe.

Seriously though, the CFII MEI is the route I'd take. I would move to be near the busiest flight school in the nation and get hired there. My goal would be to log over 5 hours per day and get in to multi engine instruction ASAP. Preferably this flight school would have some sort of charter department that would give you the opportunity to sit Rt. seat in something larger.

Do this for a year and you will learn more than you ever though possible. By the end of the year you will be ready for your ATP. If you get hired somewhere in the mean time so much the better. If not you will certainly be competitive with the ATP.

If you are not willing to move somewhere to get the experience necessary to get the airline job you want then you are not a good candidate for an airline career because in an airline career, you will move several time before settling down.

Oh, one more thing, 52K a year sucks. We've had this discussion before so there is no need for some of you to chime in on how full of it I am. All I know is anything less than 150k/yr in your 40s and you can plan on having a very meager retirement.

 

You're making the right choice to get CFI/II/MEI.

I can't speak much for the other guys that went through the Jet courses and are senior to me. However, the ASA recruiter was very correct in saying that timing is everything.

I have a few friends that recently applied to a few regionals, ASA is one of them. They all had around 500-700TT and between 50-100ME. They all received calls back from every airline they applied to except for ASA. I also applied to the same airlines about a week or two later. In those two weeks, the ATA/Aloha/Skybus closures happened, oil passed $115 a barrel, etc. I applied with 1000TT and 50ME and got called back by only Eagle and ASA. I was lucky and got my stuff finished as fast as possible and have both interviews. Eagle gave me a training date, and ASA's interview is coming in about a week and a half. Now for the bad part:

I have seen people drop thousands on getting that last 50 multi and burn bridges at their current employer with the mindset of "I'll get a Regional job with my 400/50, so I'm not going to be productive." These same people are starting to get turned down on their applications, and they are realizing that they don't have a job to go to. If they would have scored a CFI instead of cruising in a multi, they could at least have a flying job. And having a flying job building hours AND getting paid is always better than paying for time. Not to mention you learn A LOT from it. Its also a very rewarding career.

A CFI means a Plan B. And if you always have a plan to follow, your time will continue increasing, and you will always have opportunities.

Good luck!

 

First of all, I would "Advice" you to learn the difference between hire and hired. I'll put it in the suggestion box to spell check before I submit any other post. Thanks.

Secondly, I did not relinquish the info regarding my salary so that you could brag about your $150k job. But, since you so adamantly brought up how pathetic my $55k/yr Fireman job is, I'll tell you the rest of the story. I also work part-time as a Paramedic= $45k/yr. My wife is a professional Systems Administrator = $80k/yr. That totals $180k per year. According to you, I guess I could retire on that.

Unfortunately, like the others in this group, we do not yet have that sweet $150k/yr MD-80 seat. Unless you know something we dont, looks like we will have to settle for the $24k/yr salary with the regionals. There goes my full-time salary, and my part-time salary. Now perhaps you understand my pain..

 

Thanks Gchamp,
Great advise!!

Wd

 

OK. You caught me. It's been fixed to hired. BTW spell check won't work as advice and advise are both spelled correctly. You're using the words incorrectly and it reflects badly on you. Don't take it so personally.

Secondly, 180k/yr is fine. Make that for 20 years and you can retire comfortably. I'm not bragging about my 150. It used to be 190 before the pay cuts. I hate making only 150. In my view a MD-80 capt should be upwards of 250. That is what is was when I started this career (in today's dollars) and that is what I expected. All I can do now is fight for pay restoration but that is another subject.

You are very fortunate your wife can provide some good support while you chase the dream. Is she willing to move? Can she make that kind of money if you move? It sounds like you could be both a CFI and a part time paramedic. Is that realistic? If so you have the tools to be on your way.

 

There. Fixed!

 

I am in the same situation as Vector and appreciate not only the question, which I think the CFI route already made more sense (simply put, how can you turn down knowledge), but the information that you all have provided as to how the industry is panning out.

A question(s) I have to you out there that are and have been in the industry for a while...where do you all see the VLJ's going in the industry? Is that the up and coming avenue for smaller companies and from your knowledge, what type of experience do they look for? I know of at least one company down in Florida who is using the Eclipse as an air taxi service. I am just curious because being out of the industry, it seems difficult to find much out about that sector of aviation? Truthfully, I would much rather be a truck driver than a taxi driver (that goes out to all of you freight jockeys out there), but it may be a way to build turbine time after teaching for a while.

 

Hey Mike,
Sorry, I vented my frustration via a reply in this forum. This is neither the place nor the objective of this forum. Sorry again.

Actually, things may not be as bad as they seem. I plan to do what you mentioned, except better. I will keep my full-time Firefighter job, and instruct on my off days. Afterall, I only work 1 out of every 3 days.

This hurdle merely altered my plans a bit, but hopefully I'll be much better, and it will be cheaper in the long run.

Oh, by the way...Yes, my wonderful wife is incredible! She is willing to move and do whatever means necessary to help me with my goals. It would be impossible otherwise... Thanks G!!

Wd