WmuGrad07

Skydive Hastings doesn't really pay you much of anything to fly... I've worked there from 9am till 9pm flew all day and walked away with 75 bucks (pay is $0.60/1000 ft). They'd like for you to have 500tt also. Give it a shot though if you'd like. I'd CFI somewhere if I could.
Good luck.

the King

If you you live near WMU find another airport to hang out at for a while. If you live elsewhere during the summer hit the local airport. Unfortunately, you live most of the year in a pilot-saturated area. The jobs are more scarce because there is more competition. However, if you go anywhere and everywhere that has an airplane, you will run into people who may give you your first break.

fatmike69

I highly doubt it. Most in this situation I think will find another line of work until things start looking up. If I found myself on the street, there is no way I could even afford to go from making $50 per flight hour with benefits, to $7 per hour without benefits, or a guaruntee for that matter. Plus it's just not worth it to subject yourself to it. I think most high timers that end up out of work will probably find some other job to fill in during the downtime, and may not even return at all. Flying is fun, but it's a job, and you've got to be able to make a living at your job.

Careercfi

Thats an interesting viewpoint. Supply and demand could bring the CFI salaries down, just as it brought them up a few months ago during this artificial hype. My guess would have been that younger people with big debt from accelerated airline track flight training (average?) would rather fly than turn around? I may be wrong. I am afraid the industry will get a lot more violent in the future.

USMCFLYR

WOW! That isn't a lot at all. I flew a few months for a Ma-n-Pop skydiving school in C-208s and got paid $10 per load.

USMCFLYR

Pilotpip

You'd be suprised. A lot of these guys getting furloughed don't have the time to go anywhere else and the couple months they instructed don't really impress flight schools. If I were an owner of a school or a chief instructor I wouldn't want the regional guys back because they've already proven they'll bail at the first chance they get to fly a jet.

FrontrangeFlyer

One more idea for the original poster would be glider towing. It typically doesn't pay much but hey, its free hours.
It could also work if you had another job, since a lot of glider clubs operate most on the weekend. If you have your tail wheel checkout they usually don't require many hours.

fatmike69

Problem is that with the massive amounts of debt one incurrs at these flight schools now, that a $7/hr CFI job is not even going to cover the loan payment each month! Not to mention things like food, rent, etc. If salaries continue downward, I fear something like what happened in the housing market could happen. With no jobs available that pay anything decent, people will just default on their loans and fly, or give up the dream and find something that will pay the bills. Kinda like walking away from your house that you owe so much for but can't afford to keep. Could be an interesting situation, but my guess is most will probably walk away from flying, at least until it turns around, but who knows.

Cubdriver

Lately I have been doing this as a hobby. Theres no money in it as you say. The airplanes are high wing 182/185 Cessnas and they are some of the rattiest machines I have ever laid eyes on. I doubt any of them could pass a ramp check. The one I fly has no AI, no DG, no left fuel tank, no compass, no transponder, a flat nose strut, and the right brake is out. There are plenty of unpaid pilots at the field and several of them are retired people. It's great fun towing gliders but it won't help an unemployed pilot.

crewdawg

Your not looking hard enough. I went to a 141 school very similar to yours and know exactly what you mean. Pretty much all the people from my school knew is what everyone else did to get to the airlines. Get your CFI, instruct at your school until you have the hours to go to a regional. Most of them are unwilling or just plain lazy and won't consider anything else. There are plenty of other places that will hire low time guys, you just have to be willing to go to the job. Most people are unwilling to travel off the "normal path, don't be "that guy."

First, stop hanging out at the same airport as 100 other CFI's. If you stay at the same place as your bro's, anything that does come along will get picked apart in seconds. Second, do your own research! It amazed me at the unwillingness of most of my peers at school. They were all to lazy to do their own research. Most were just content with doing whatever everyone else was doing. Third...don't listen to all the naysayers, they will just hold you back. Finally, be willing to move to the job!

Banner Towing - Check out HWO, there are at least 2 operators on the field. I would recommend Van Wagners. Their pay and mx seemed to be better and last time I checked they don't charge you for training. If anyone tries to charge you for training, walk away. OH and stay away from a certain guy in Daytona Beach, I won't mention names on an open forum, if you want more info send me a PM. Remember ALWAYS check your hook!

Sightseeing - Grand Canyon, they are a few operators out there. Had a bud do that and loved it.

Alaska - There are very few operators willing to hire you w/o Alaska time. Go get a job as a CFI first, then make contacts and move on. Most operators won't take you seriously unless you go up and show your face.

Aerial Imaging - I know of a few operators in NY. On the road alot but you get alot of hours.

Freight - There are a few operators out there willing to hire low time guys. Much lower than posted mins. AirNet and Air Cargo Carriers come to mind. You might also check Royal Air Freight, they are based somewhere in MI and seemed to be descent outfit. I talked with one of their pilots once and he loved the job. I'm sure you will hear all your buds put down these companies but doing that type of flying will sharpen your skills and make you a better pilot. I was dead set on going to AirNet but thankfully a better avenue opened up!

Towing Gliders - Cool, but doesn't build time that fast. If anything it would be great to do just to get around gliders and get your rating. That is my first order of business after I get back from training.

Jumpers - Don't know much about that. Had another friend do that, he didn't build a whole lot of time but he was a jumper himself so he loved it.

As far as being a CFI, it was a rewarding job. You will most likely have to do it for a little while as most of these companies require about 500 hours. I did it for about 300 hours and learned more than I would have ever imagined. I'm not saying you will be but, don't be that $hitbag instructor that is there just to get your time and move on. You would be doing a great disservice to your students and yourself. Teach them everything you can and really care about their training.

Finally, If you consider the military......Go Guard, you will thank me later!

Goodluck