Is becoming a CFI a must?
 

I know most people become CFIs but what other options are there for building quality flight time? I'm looking for an airline job down the road, will they look down on me if I didn't become a CFI?

Thanks

Great Lakes Airlines will hire you with a wet commercial multi with instrument privileges. You just have to make it through their interview process and training which, while very doable, are not easy.

I think I'd rather work for Skywest.

SkyWest will not hire you without ATP mins like Great Lakes will. GL is an alternative to instructing.


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No, they won't. They are hurting for people and it looks like they will be for a while. Time is time to them.

No company -- 121 or 135 -- will "look down on you" if you're not a CFI. The primary advantage to becoming a CFI is that you have to know the material in order to teach it, and, especially for a CFII, it's a lot of the same material you'd be asked on an airline interview. As said before, they're hurting for pilots too much to be snobbish about where the flight time comes from (as long as it's legal).

If you have a connection to a job which is not instructing, and will get you the time/experience you're looking for, go for it. Instructing is just traditionally the easiest way to log time, make a living, network some, and prepare for the interviews.

Some other options are pipeline patrol, traffic watch, skydiving, and some Part 135 operations such as Air Choice One and Cape Air will hire FOs with around 500-700 TT.

You don't need to be a CFI to go airlines. It is just another way to build hours. It probably will help you a little but definitely not a show stopper.

What this guy said.

By not becoming a CFI, you are really cheating yourself from the knowledge and experience.
I didn't want to become a CFI early in my career but I am glad I did.

Becoming a CFI and instructing is just plain good for building your airmanship and judgment as an aviator.

Yes, it is tough, and because of that a lot of pilots want to avoid doing it, but it is worth it in the long run.

Having your CFI (and teaching) will help your piloting knowledge and skills mature. This will certainly come to your benefit when going through airline training, which can be daunting.