CFI?
 

Hello I'm currently 17 and heading to my last year of hs, I've been looking toward some flight schools around Florida. Since I'm taking the cheapest way to become an airline pilot and hopefully start flying for a regional once I get my college degree and training done. Do you need the CFI and CF MEI certification to fly for an airline or can you just get the normal certifications such as PPL , instrument ratings , commercial and multi engine ? And build time just flying? I'm just wondering because the flight school I got recommended to only has those main courses (faapilottraining) in Miami. Thank you very much.

I don't think it's a condition to have the FI to apply, but it is important for increasing your hours of flights and for gaining some experience..

So they don't ask you if your a cfi when u apply for a regional ? I'm just wondering because I heard you can build your hours just flying since Instructing is a pain.

Look directly the website of Regionals.. But i'm sure not they don't ask that

You need to meet certain requirements such as 500 xcountry hours, 100 night etc for your ATP..The most common way to do this while getting paid is instructing. Unless you have money to burn, getting to 1500 out of pocket would be very expensive. CFIing also provides valuable learning opportunities that you prob wouldn't get doing other type of flying.

To answer your question. NO you do not "need" your CFI to get hired.