JamesNoBrakes

You think hell is hot...wait till you get in a parked plane in Phoenix in the middle of a summer day.

JohnnyG

Most schools only hire 'part time' because they won't give you benefits, or they just consider you a contract employee.

Schools like transpac give you the chance to easily exceed regional pay, and them some.

Pick a name brand school to instruct at, and pick one with a pipeline.

mjssoar

I've been working at Transpac for about 6 months now and would be happy to talk with you. PM me and I will give you my phone number.

The position absolutely will not be part time at Transpac for long. basically, the next time a class starts (every few weeks) you will be assigned 4-5 students and will work more than you could ever want. You can always pick up randoms on your weekends if you want more flight time! Though you won't get paid any more for doing that.

I instructed at a very small school and a local FBO for about a year before Transpac, and there are advantages to each situation.

Transpac
-Steady flight hours: 80-100 per month
-Steady pay: Salary
-Large fleet: Few cancelled missions due to resource availability
-Amazing flying weather
-Great dispatch and scheduling: In my mind the biggest advantage of working here
-Networking: Previous hiring relationship with all the regional carriers, pipeline with Eagle and Skywest, and CFIs leaving to the regionals all the time
-Advancement: if your goal is to stick around and such you can do Ok here

Independent
-Set your own schedule: a double edged sword as you don't get paid to be a scheduler and dispatcher
-Higher hourly pay

Transpac as well as other flight schools have been discussed a lot on the forums and a quick search can reveal some information. A lot of things have changed here in the last few years though, so read older stuff with a grain of salt.

Ultimately it depends on your goals. If you want to go to the regionals Transpac (or other "name brand" school) is probably the fastest way to get there.

JohnnyG

..............and have a professional experience Flight Instructing. When you teach professionally oriented students, it's very different than teaching around the FBO, and far more beneficial.

SkylaneRG

Except transpac has air conditioned airplanes!! They watch the rest of us sweat for hours.

mjssoar

Again, depends on your goals.

I miss sharing the fun of GA aviation with my FBO students. Some people never get that. Its pretty fun flying low and slow to some cool little airport, getting the crew car and eating lunch in town, talking to the locals in the hanger and coming home at sunset.

The professional attitude of the school definitely has it's advantages, and its disadvantages (paperwork, for one)

Rasta Flyer

Pilot mills are great because they keep you working constantly. Your flight times will increase quicker, but they pay crap. The part 61 schools I worked at paid up to $40/hr and most times I made a living and paid the rent. Try NS aviation here in S. Florida, great environment and boss; I heard last week they needed more CFI's.

Anywhere you consider applying/working, simple ask the guys what they've been netting and make a financial plan to make due on that or less. As far as relationship issues stopping you, don't let them.

GOOD LUCK ON THAT CHECKRIDE! Just be cool, and do what your CFI has prepped you for.