500 TT CFII debating switching jobs
01-27-2019, 12:44 PM
#1
On Reserve
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Feb 2017
Posts: 19
500 TT CFII debating switching jobs
So, I'm a 500+ TT with my CFII and will have my multi soon.
I'm currently instructing for a school and averaging between 40-60 hours a month.
My question: Is it worth it to try and switch to a cargo op like Ameriflight or some surveying company to get to my ATP mins faster (1250 for me), or should I just stick it out and instruct until i'm there?
I'm not particularly keen on spending another 1-2 years instructing before making it to the regionals.
My goal is simply to make it to the airlines as fast as possible and i'm thinking it might be faster to switch to some job that can promise ~80/month.
Any insight or advice is appreciated. Thank you.
I'm currently instructing for a school and averaging between 40-60 hours a month.
My question: Is it worth it to try and switch to a cargo op like Ameriflight or some surveying company to get to my ATP mins faster (1250 for me), or should I just stick it out and instruct until i'm there?
I'm not particularly keen on spending another 1-2 years instructing before making it to the regionals.
My goal is simply to make it to the airlines as fast as possible and i'm thinking it might be faster to switch to some job that can promise ~80/month.
Any insight or advice is appreciated. Thank you.
01-27-2019, 12:49 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 509
I think Ameriflight has a training contract? So, you’d have to fly right seat and then go left seat. Maybe not so in the 120? I’m sure you’d have about a billion other low time guys trying for the same seat in the 120 if so. I’ll sum up the replies to come, stick it out, keep instructing and be ready to study when you get the time.
01-27-2019, 01:15 PM
#3
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 39
I was in your boat at 500tt. I went the survey route which led to other opportunities too. It could be faster or slower just depends on a lot of outside factors like weather, project availability, aircraft maintenance etc.
There are a lot of factors to determine if changing to survey or staying instructing is a good choice. All those factors deal with your personal preference.
For me, I met a lot of good and not so good people had some great experiences and learned a lot. So for me it was worth it.
There are a lot of factors to determine if changing to survey or staying instructing is a good choice. All those factors deal with your personal preference.
For me, I met a lot of good and not so good people had some great experiences and learned a lot. So for me it was worth it.
01-27-2019, 03:33 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Position: Right Seat
Posts: 300
Started surveying in October with 510TT. I am at 810TT now.
I got 40 hours in 4 days in October for the hurricane in Florida..... However I got the short straw and got tossed into Ohio all of December and only got ~30 hours that month. The same month another pilot got 170 hours because he was in New Mexico.
If you want to stick around at home and chug along, instruct.
If you want to drop everything and live out of a hotel and 3 bags for 8 months, survey.
If your goal is airlines and no other type of flying, then go the fastest route. If you want to experience everything and pick what you like the best, apply for all jobs, and do vertical or lateral moves up.
I got 40 hours in 4 days in October for the hurricane in Florida..... However I got the short straw and got tossed into Ohio all of December and only got ~30 hours that month. The same month another pilot got 170 hours because he was in New Mexico.
If you want to stick around at home and chug along, instruct.
If you want to drop everything and live out of a hotel and 3 bags for 8 months, survey.
If your goal is airlines and no other type of flying, then go the fastest route. If you want to experience everything and pick what you like the best, apply for all jobs, and do vertical or lateral moves up.
01-28-2019, 05:48 AM
#5
What's a weekend?
Joined APC: Dec 2017
Position: Widget FO
Posts: 457
I switched jobs at 900 hours (I am a 1,500 guy) and am sitting right seat for a bit until I hit 1,200 hours. I wanted the experience and training of what it would be like in a crew environment and understanding things like flows, SOP's, etc. It also gave me an opportunity to upgrade to captain as 1,200 and get some experience as a decision maker. I was a CFI and CFII at a flight school that was headed in a different direction then I originally thought it would. I enjoyed the switch but I did it for different reasons then hours. I enjoy this lifestyle flying the same amount of hours with much more days off and much nicer aircraft.
01-28-2019, 05:54 AM
#6
All is fine at .79
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: Paahlot
Posts: 4,082
If you can get more IR and ME students then stick with current job till you hit around a 1000 then go find a multi engine job for the next 500.
ME instruction is the most dangerous form of flight instruction but it will teach you to be a hawk.
You will demonstrate engine failures after lift-off till you can do them in your sleep.
I’ve had an engine failure after lift off in a light twin and I thank my multi engine instructing for the safe outcome.
Qualifying for the next step doesn’t mean you’re ready for the next step.
Big difference.
While it’s story telling time my first ME student started heading for the weeds and we ended up doing a very late go around with a touch and go on one wheel and the rest of the airplane out over the grass.
Student 0- MEI 1
ME instruction is the most dangerous form of flight instruction but it will teach you to be a hawk.
You will demonstrate engine failures after lift-off till you can do them in your sleep.
I’ve had an engine failure after lift off in a light twin and I thank my multi engine instructing for the safe outcome.
Qualifying for the next step doesn’t mean you’re ready for the next step.
Big difference.
While it’s story telling time my first ME student started heading for the weeds and we ended up doing a very late go around with a touch and go on one wheel and the rest of the airplane out over the grass.
Student 0- MEI 1
01-28-2019, 06:14 AM
#7
On Reserve
Joined APC: Dec 2018
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by Luewk
So, I'm a 500+ TT with my CFII and will have my multi soon.
I'm currently instructing for a school and averaging between 40-60 hours a month.
My question: Is it worth it to try and switch to a cargo op like Ameriflight or some surveying company to get to my ATP mins faster (1250 for me), or should I just stick it out and instruct until i'm there?
I'm not particularly keen on spending another 1-2 years instructing before making it to the regionals.
My goal is simply to make it to the airlines as fast as possible and i'm thinking it might be faster to switch to some job that can promise ~80/month.
Any insight or advice is appreciated. Thank you.
I'm currently instructing for a school and averaging between 40-60 hours a month.
My question: Is it worth it to try and switch to a cargo op like Ameriflight or some surveying company to get to my ATP mins faster (1250 for me), or should I just stick it out and instruct until i'm there?
I'm not particularly keen on spending another 1-2 years instructing before making it to the regionals.
My goal is simply to make it to the airlines as fast as possible and i'm thinking it might be faster to switch to some job that can promise ~80/month.
Any insight or advice is appreciated. Thank you.
let me know how it goes with you.
01-28-2019, 06:24 AM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2017
Posts: 509
The switch to 135 at 1200 is great experience! Just stay focused on your goals and personal preferences. However, it will not speed things up. You might even like it though and stick around to get 1-2000hrs PIC time in something like a Metro, KA or 1900
01-28-2019, 03:41 PM
#9
All is fine at .79
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: Paahlot
Posts: 4,082
Originally Posted by letstalk
Dude,I am in the same boat as you.been thinking about doing the same.been thinking about switching.i am currently a Cfi,cfii & an MEI. With most of my instructing being done in the multi because I am the only MEI in my school.chief pilot with over 20,000 flight hours does not want to deal with any multi or flying related stuff,so I take all the multi student.but at the same time, I am really thinking of switching.i have over 300 hours of multi time now and 700+ TT.
let me know how it goes with you.
let me know how it goes with you.
You’re already getting all the ME time with only 700 TT.
01-28-2019, 06:55 PM
#10
On Reserve
Joined APC: Dec 2018
Posts: 21
Originally Posted by TiredSoul
Don’t get greedy.
You’re already getting all the ME time with only 700 TT.
You’re already getting all the ME time with only 700 TT.
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