Take a break or keep building time
06-06-2026 | 01:02 PM
#1
Thread Starter
New Hire
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 1
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Take a break or keep building time
Hello everyone.
Quick background. I’m 34, CFI, CFII with CMEL. I completed primary training since 2024 but haven’t been able to find employment after hundreds of applications, phone calls, emails and showing up in person.
though safety pilot time is looked down upon in the industry, that is the only way I can afford to keep flying/building time without breaking the bank. I’ll be at around 500 hours at some point this summer but like the title says I can no longer afford to keep flying as much as i should after that. Having a family and other responsibilities doesn’t make it any easier either.
now my question is keeping currency (barely) worth it as a potential employer might see it as a red flag or just take a break hoping hiring might get better eventually where i can come back to it? What would be the next smart move?TIA
Quick background. I’m 34, CFI, CFII with CMEL. I completed primary training since 2024 but haven’t been able to find employment after hundreds of applications, phone calls, emails and showing up in person.
though safety pilot time is looked down upon in the industry, that is the only way I can afford to keep flying/building time without breaking the bank. I’ll be at around 500 hours at some point this summer but like the title says I can no longer afford to keep flying as much as i should after that. Having a family and other responsibilities doesn’t make it any easier either.
now my question is keeping currency (barely) worth it as a potential employer might see it as a red flag or just take a break hoping hiring might get better eventually where i can come back to it? What would be the next smart move?TIA
06-06-2026 | 04:21 PM
#2
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,225
Likes: 824
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Currency is lawys better than no currency. Ant type of time is better than no time.
If an opportunity does pop up, you'll need the currency and it look better if you've been flying some all along IMO.
If an opportunity does pop up, you'll need the currency and it look better if you've been flying some all along IMO.
06-07-2026 | 04:49 PM
#3
Line Holder
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 908
Likes: 161
1) agree with rick
2) sorry you’re in this position. The market is really jammed up between 250hrs and RJ FO
3) here’s a rosy but plausible scenario:
a) you find a job soon. It pays poorly and you get 500 hrs/yr
b) you go to a regional in 2029, the year the last baby boomer turns 65.
c) you spend several years as an RJ FO, several as captain and get hired at a major mid 2030’s in your mid 40’s
d) the retirement/hiring wave has passed and hiring is still healthy but it takes 30+ years to really climb the ladder. You spend first half of your major career as nbfo, second half you can be senior nbfo, mid-level nbca or mid level wbfo.
is that appealing? Some people who started not long before you lucked into a rocket ride. That was aberrant and has stopped
2) sorry you’re in this position. The market is really jammed up between 250hrs and RJ FO
3) here’s a rosy but plausible scenario:
a) you find a job soon. It pays poorly and you get 500 hrs/yr
b) you go to a regional in 2029, the year the last baby boomer turns 65.
c) you spend several years as an RJ FO, several as captain and get hired at a major mid 2030’s in your mid 40’s
d) the retirement/hiring wave has passed and hiring is still healthy but it takes 30+ years to really climb the ladder. You spend first half of your major career as nbfo, second half you can be senior nbfo, mid-level nbca or mid level wbfo.
is that appealing? Some people who started not long before you lucked into a rocket ride. That was aberrant and has stopped
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