sandrich

Just finished my CFI-A and II. Probably spent $6,000 on both...I am a low time pilot (lower than all regional minimums) however I was just offered an interview at a small regional (not going to say the name, as it may cause flame) *cough* Gulfstream *cough*. I understand the company is turning around, or so they claim, and no longer run a pay-to-fly. I'm not starting this thread for people to bash Gulfstream, share their beliefs, etc. All I want to know is...do I pursue instructing for, lets say a year, and head to the "better" paying regionals and sit right seat chasing an upgrade? Do I pursue instructing for, lets say two years, and find a 135/frac job flying corporate? Or do I pursue Gulfstream, suck it up for a few years where I can hopefully log Turbine PIC time sooner than most other regionals (or so i've been told) and go to greener pastures...I know this is a loaded question, but think of it as more of a WWYD scenario...I have no wife(s), kids, dogs, etc tied to me right now. Just a huge student loan payment...

HSLD

I'd say that multi-turbine time would be a better way to build time than working as a single engine CFI. You've done your homework on Gulfstream's history and reputation, although they are out of Bankruptcy, the academy is closed, and they have aircraft on order (Saab 340s).

The new owners, Victory Park Capital, own some well known brands and appear to have the cash to keep Gulfstream operating.

Victory Park Completes Acquisition of Gulfstream International Group, Inc. | News & Press Releases | Victory Park Capital

That said, they start at $19/hr, which is not quite poverty, but after taxes it'll be close.

http://aspe.hhs.gov/poverty/11poverty.shtml

BeardedFlyer

Just curious, what kind of times did you need to get looked at?

Cruz5350

You're an easy year and a half out from upgrading, the hardest part is asking yourself that with your low time are you ready for an airline?

sandrich

I'd like to think so...I know most people on this forum will probably laugh at this, but I graduated from Florida Tech and have had some exposure to airline operations, systems, etc. I've learned some ERJ flows and profiles, took a full semester course on ERJ systems, earned a 121 Dispatch certification. What classes I take means nothing in the airlines...I'd like to think it has more to do with the individual person. I think I can do it. I'm a fast learner, and I've been a 400 passenger ferry Captain since I was 19 (currently going on 23) so I like to think I can handle the responsibility, I hope.

JamesNoBrakes

Are you going to go be able to go from Gulfstream to a major airline? Most likely not, they won't need pilots for a long time, and when they do there'll be so many more qualified pilots. I'd say go for a regional that you can grow into and that at worst case, could become your career. You can enjoy a lot more fun time instructing and some instruction gigs can pay some decent money these days, then you'll be competative for any regional you want, and while you might get turbine or turbine PIC at Gulfstream, realize that in the last 10 years, maybe longer, no one has worked at regional for a "year or two" and then went to a major airline.

I don't think that "greener" pasture exists if you're thinking of major airlines.

BUT, and this a big one, there are MANY opportunities out there, government, fractional and corporate (like you are discussing) and so on. Maybe if that's what you want to do, then go for it. Just don't commit yourself to the major-airline IMO.

sandrich

James, thanks for the input. As nice as it would be to just do a year or two and go to the majors, I understand thats simply not the reality of the situation anymore. I do, however, have 2 family members at one of the majors (wont say who) They claim they can help me out if I just get the hours, but I'm not holding my breath. I'm currently in Long Island, and it seems like there are a lot of flying opportunities here (corporate, frac, part 91, etc). I would just rather not instruct for the next 2 years, especially during the winters. But hey, everyones gotta do what they gotta do...besides, I dont think I can live off of $19 per hour when I can just mooch off my parents a little longer :-)

Wingtips

^^short term this answer is good, but in the long term, more people make out by getting their time and going on to at least a J6 or Atlas. Better to spend 3 to 5 years at Gulfstream and goto an Atlas of J6 possibly by then a real major airline, then go build time for a year hoping that hiring is still going on in a year...which means you might have to wait another year or two, to go to a skywest, wait 4 years to upgrade, then spend 2 more years, then suddenly be 35 and not wanting to leave that 80k+ paycheck to chase that real dream of a major...fwiw

sandrich

By Atlas you mean the Cargo carrier? And by J6 you mean...

DirectTo

I was curious what he meant, so I checked airline codes...and J6 is:
Larry's Flying Service

I'm guessing that's not what he was going for.

Multi is definitely more 'valuable' than single time in the long run. If you could get through training and survive on their wages for a year or two, it mightn't be a bad gig. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; you have to weigh the options to see what you're comfortable with doing.

And random tangent - if you do go there, 135, wherever, always keep that CFI current. Never know when you could need or want it.