I'm looking for some seasoned opinion's about a career path but I'll listen to anyone with a serious answer. I LOVE to fly airplanes. I won't be happy doing anything else, I realise that now at 39 with a wife and 2 boys(10,12). I went and got my comm./ multi/ instr. just before 9/11. and have been a reluctant penguin ever since. flight instuctor pay is for single guys shacking up together, eating ramen noodles and riding a bike to work. I'm sitting at 270 TT 60 ME and really can't afford to make a move in the wrong direction in this new wave of opertunity so, pilots, I want to know what the pro's and con's you've seen in each career path. Lately, flying a twin otter in the Carabean or Alaska has cought my attention. Anyonrein here doing that? If you KNOW someone in these jobs for the more hardy pilot not so concerned with the pay, feeel free to put me in touch with them. thanks, Andrew

 

Just out of curiosity what does your wife do for a living? If she makes decent money you should be able to support yourself and your family (From what I'm told). Also, it helps if the kids are in school. And I also don't know if flying in the Caribean would be ideal for a family. If I'm not mistaken the cost of living down there might be a bit high

Again, this is all from what I've heard from pilots both on this forum and in real life.

 

She is a Domestic Tech (homeschools our boys) but is willing to work P/T.
I was too narrow when I said "Caribean". I meant any remote flying job (ie. Alaska, islands, atolls, foriegn or domestic. We're low maintenance folks.

 

You might want to look at instructing at a 141 school like ALL ATPs. I know guys that are starting day 1 with ZERO flight hours. They send them through Private, Commercial, Multi, INST, and all the way through Single and Multi CFI and CFII. They have Letters of Agreement (LOAs) with regionals, so guys are getting hired with 300 hours or so. Therefore, if they allow you to teach, you could possibly interview within 6 months or so. From there, it just means getting time with a regional and getting the PIC time once you become a captain to qualify for a major. Once your on with a regional, you can usually jumpseat anywhere in the country for free, so commuting wouldn't be cost prohibitive. Your wife will have to work to supplement your income for around 2 years in this case. I would say you could be with a major in 5 years with the way the pilot shortage is approaching. In fact, if you are willing to move, countries like China are hiring everyone that knows which way is up and has a heartbeat. Your kids will be close to college, so it would be you and your wife moving at that point. Anyway, you will sacrifice but it is getting close to too late if you don't start soon.

Good Luck.

 

I forgot to add that Angel Flight is a way to build some time for a little cheaper. I am a pilot at FedEx now, but I have been flying Angel Flights for around 7 years or so. You already exceed the minimums to qualify, and your costs are tax deductible. We rent for each flight because we don't own an airplane, but it is much cheaper if you own. Also, if you know of someone else needing some flight time, you can share costs and logged hours.

 

Here is an email I received today from them. The link should get you more information.


Good news for flight instructors:

Tremendous hiring at the regional airlines has ATP instructors getting jobs faster than ever. Thanks to the faster airline hiring, ATP is offering new incentives to flight instructors who want to work with ATP:

- $500 start bonus
- Free Regional Jet Standards Certification Program ($5,995 value)
- Free Housing in Jacksonville during orientation
- $2,000 per month pay for instructors working in scheduling
- Option to go direct to any of 21 training centers nationwide, without working in Jacksonville

These are just some of the new changes that make instructing at ATP better than anywhere else. You get more multi-engine time faster and airline placement assistance.

Check out the web site for full details at:
<http://www.atpflightschool.com/employment/cfi_jobs.html>

If this email doesn't apply to you, please accept our apologies. We would appreciate it if you would forward this information to anyone you know who might be interested.

Sincerely,

ATP / 800-ALL-ATPS

 

I just recieved a post card from Embry-Riddle in Prescott. CFI's Wanted!

Bachelors / Masters degree tuition free.
Health insurance.
Paid personal leave.
Holiday pay.
Retirement plans.
Airfare and Hotel for interview paid.
$15.77 to $ 22.05/hr.

Do you have your CFI/II? You need to get your time up and this is the traditional way to do it.

 

i never knew penguins were reluctant

 

Oh, they are. Something to do with wearing a tux all the time.

Be careful doing that fun flying you are talking about. Once you start you may not be able to stop. Life is more drab when you are landing on pavement from an autopilot-flown approach.

 

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twin otters, low time, touristy destination