When am I suppose to be rewarded?
 

As everyone here knows I'm a CFI. I'm starting at the bottom and working my way up.... There is a guy I know from college, we use to be friends, he went to the gulfstream academy(his parents have money so it was just a shortcut for him). I found out he's sitting at ExpressJet now. We prettymuch graduated at the same time. I could be at EXJ now (supposidly) so this really isn't about that. So if I'm able to get on with the company he'll be senior to me and one day I could end up his FO.

Believe it or not the decisions I've made regarding flying have in large part been based on the recomendations of those here because obviously there are many older and wiser. I've always been told how going to a school like Gulfstream is a BAD decision that could follow me forever. I've also been told the same about working for companies like GoJets ect. and of course I will never work for them. So since I'm putting in my dues as a CFI and not taking this short easier route of going to Gulfstream academy when will I be rewared? What job will I get over him because I didn't go there? When will I be considered more senior? Due to how regionals are hiring it really doesn't seem that anything is going to catch up to him or others like him. Just wondering what difference if any there will be in our futures since I put in my dues and worked hard while he took the short cuts.

I remember when you were looking for a CFI job...You did the right thing.

Some people are born with the option of using their parents money. That's life.

Trust me when I saw you have to make a very important decision - will you become bitter about his success or will you concentrate on living your life and making your way in this world on your own?


-LAFF

I guess the overall aim of the post is that regionals ect. aren't as selective as they use to be. So is there really any downside to someone going to one of those places if they can afford it?

There are always going to be people in your peer group that will go different routes and get ahead of you in seniority and pay. That's just life and happens in every field. You can't be bitter about it or dwell on it.

In my opinion, if me and /or my family is aboard, I'd rather have the guy who flew in all kinds of equipment in all kinds of weather (paying his dues) up front pushing the buttons rather than the guy who took the shortcuts to get there. I'll take experience over parents money any day. Keep up the good work.

I'll second the experience thing.

but does anyone take that into account anymore when hiring. If I have the same hours ect as you would I be a better candidate for a position from the airlines standpoint?

Hard Truth
 

It makes for a good story but the hard truth is that no one cares how you got there. In fact if you had a shorter path to the regionals and did not take it you could be considered to be less than enthusiastic about your career. There is supposed to be a sense of urgency upon your part and taking the long road gives the opposite message. The airlines like youth success and not ten year FO's or middle aged regional airline captains. The hiring boom in the regionals will not last forever. Seniority is everything. The hero and zero are often separated be only a handful of seniority numbers. I would write the check if I were you.

Besides, flying an airliner has little to do with touch and goes in a Cessna 152. You are building great experience if you intend to be a life long flight instructor, but not to be an airline pilot.

SkyHigh

The question isn't about who the passengers would rather have flying them. What matters is who the employers would likely hire. If there's no difference between him and the zero-to-hero in the employer's eyes, then that sure becomes a tempting solution to entry-level career issues.

What are your times like duck?