How to get back in?
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 246
How to get back in?
So after being out for 10 months and not even current, whats the first move?? I dont want to go back to the airlines but, have a possible opportunity to go PT with the last carrier that I flew with prior or possibly instructing? However my CFI has lapsed...
any suggestions??? I know I have to get back into it..
any suggestions??? I know I have to get back into it..
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Admiral
Posts: 726
So after being out for 10 months and not even current, whats the first move?? I dont want to go back to the airlines but, have a possible opportunity to go PT with the last carrier that I flew with prior or possibly instructing? However my CFI has lapsed...
any suggestions??? I know I have to get back into it..
any suggestions??? I know I have to get back into it..
This may be the helpful part:
If I'm not mistaken, completing a checkride towards a CFII or MEI would reactivate your lapsed CFI. If you don't have all of your CFI ratings, that might be something to look into.
#3
Not easy
Step one, Get your CFI back, but don't expect to instruct much. Students are dropping like flies across America. I would get it to knock the rust off and to regain currency.
Step two. Call, friend request or otherwise track down everyone you ever knew who is a working pilot and prospect for jobs.
Step three. Lower your expectations. Part time gigs are hard to find and usually demand the same kind of flexibility that only a full time pilot has. You have to make a living after all. It is difficult to be available when they need you.
Kicking aviation is not fun or easy. You will have frequent relapses. Remind yourself why you left in the first place and ride it out.
Lastly sometimes buying into a plane is the only way to stay somewhat active.
Skyhigh
Step two. Call, friend request or otherwise track down everyone you ever knew who is a working pilot and prospect for jobs.
Step three. Lower your expectations. Part time gigs are hard to find and usually demand the same kind of flexibility that only a full time pilot has. You have to make a living after all. It is difficult to be available when they need you.
Kicking aviation is not fun or easy. You will have frequent relapses. Remind yourself why you left in the first place and ride it out.
Lastly sometimes buying into a plane is the only way to stay somewhat active.
Skyhigh
#4
First off let me start out with some unhelpful nonconstructive criticism (feel free to ignore this part). Why would you ever let your CFI ticket expire after having invested all that time and money into getting it? Especially since keeping CFI credentials active is so easily accomplished. That's something I would never fathom allowing to happen to me.
This may be the helpful part:
If I'm not mistaken, completing a checkride towards a CFII or MEI would reactivate your lapsed CFI. If you don't have all of your CFI ratings, that might be something to look into.
This may be the helpful part:
If I'm not mistaken, completing a checkride towards a CFII or MEI would reactivate your lapsed CFI. If you don't have all of your CFI ratings, that might be something to look into.
#5
So after being out for 10 months and not even current, whats the first move?? I dont want to go back to the airlines but, have a possible opportunity to go PT with the last carrier that I flew with prior or possibly instructing? However my CFI has lapsed...
any suggestions??? I know I have to get back into it..
any suggestions??? I know I have to get back into it..
What kind of carrier were you with 10 months ago? What type of equipment were you flying? PIC or FO? Do you have a commercial certificate or an ATP? Married, kids, single? What are you doing now? etc etc etc
You mention that you don't want to go back to the airlines ... did you resign, terminated, furloughed?
If you were furloughed, you're probably eligible for WIA money (I believe, Workers Investment Act). In my state, you apply for WIA money through the Dept of Labor. You could secure money to pay for that MEI to make your CFI/II current again.
Are you willing / able to move? Have you started sending out resumes?
I am/was kind of in a similar boat. I left an overseas flying job in July thinking I was going to start with a new company in September. 3 days before I was to start, issues arose with the new carrier. Although I do start with a new employer in about a week, since July ... I've been unemployed. I sent out (electronically) 1-4 resumes a day. While being unemployed, I interviewed 4 times and received 4 job offers (I was very fortunate, I admit) .... Although it worked out, I turned down 3 of the 4 offers ... probably not the smartest thing to do but, the trout were biting and the skiing has been above average!
Bottom line .... to get back in .... do whatever it takes! Get current in something and start applying / networking.
Good luck in your job search!
#7
Originally Posted by e5casey:1139096
Skyhigh,
You mentioned students were dropping like flies across the us. Is there any particular reason as to why?
You mentioned students were dropping like flies across the us. Is there any particular reason as to why?
#8
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 246
I was with Cape Air and am local with kids and a wife. While flying, i did the Carib in the winter and the north in the summer. It got to the point at which it was too difficult supporting a family on $18/hr with not too much time at home. I guess overall I am feeling a sort of regret because I invested so much into this and feel an obligation to give back, and I'd hate to waste my investment. Financially, I am a lot better off and my family has me but, I feel that I am missing a part of my life of which at one time, I loved so much. How does one get current again ? Rent a cessna? I am hoping Cape Air will take me back as a PT pilot in the spring... Maybe even doing banners... I dont really have the time or money to obtain a CFI cert again.
#9
Movement
There are several good articles about it going back several years if you were to look. At my home airport a Cessna 152 now rents for $108/hour plus a coming fuel surcharge. Not sustainable at all.
Skyhigh
#10
Not alone
I was with Cape Air and am local with kids and a wife. While flying, i did the Carib in the winter and the north in the summer. It got to the point at which it was too difficult supporting a family on $18/hr with not too much time at home. I guess overall I am feeling a sort of regret because I invested so much into this and feel an obligation to give back, and I'd hate to waste my investment. Financially, I am a lot better off and my family has me but, I feel that I am missing a part of my life of which at one time, I loved so much. How does one get current again ? Rent a cessna? I am hoping Cape Air will take me back as a PT pilot in the spring... Maybe even doing banners... I dont really have the time or money to obtain a CFI cert again.
In my case I have to drive a good distance to a flight school on my day off to sit on a couch waiting for my student to no show or for us to cancel due to weather. A total waste of a day for a few possible hours of dual given. Not worth it. The income did not even cover the gas to get there. I bought a Cessna 150 instead. It is ready when I am without the drive.
Skyhigh
Last edited by SkyHigh; 02-22-2012 at 09:10 AM.
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