FlyingCheap

Wow! Makes me wish I was 19 and free to move to AZ. I just started instructing at a nearby school which has 5 instructors already. Two are retired corporate pilots that never seem to come to the airport. One is a full time nurse who has time for only a couple of students. The fourth is a full time fireman who seems to have the most students because he has the most time off from his other job (3 on 4 off or something like that). The fifth instructor is the flight ops mgr. who takes students when he has to. I've had 4 intro flights in the last week and with the cost of training, I'm not sure any of them are likely to follow through with getting a certificate. As far as I can tell, instructing doesn't pay enough to keep most people doing it full time and it's hard for students to want to spend a fortune on certificates and ratings to get a job that keeps them in the poverty level.

But I still love it ... poor or not

de727ups

"how much it cost just to gain those ratings that you're likely never to use after your first 121 job"

I don't know, man. Some of us love aviation. I've been doing 121 since 1988 and have maintained my CFI. During that time I've signed off 50 or so IFR ratins, ran a flying club, and currently own three GA airplanes. For those that love GA, the CFI can really be nice to have.

JetJock16

I’ll always keep my CFI's (CFI, II & MEI) current and I’ll use them whenever possible. Currently I fly for SKW and still instruct at Pan Am in there ACE CR2 FTD as well as pick up when instructors at Glendale Aviation need some time off.

I was speaking for the other side, those who did it as a means to an end. I'm passionate about my profession and will always jump at the chance to mold young eager minds. It also gives me the chance to speak to potential 121 pilots and educate them on life as a career pilot. That way they understand why friends don’t let friends fly for MAG or GO and I try to educate them on unions, there history and our professions future so they can make more educated decisions when the time comes. I try not to be bias and give source so they can continue to read and learn.

I also feel that being an instructor helps prepare for life as CA. After all, airlines are hiring future CA's and in my opinion it's part of a CA's responsibility to help mold the CA of tomorrow.

atpcliff

Hi!

172Capt:
Associating Hilary with Communism is like saying a pig farmer's experience qualifies him to sew prom dresses.

Communism is a utopian ideal that never existed in real life. It was a stupid idea. Communism is also a very conservative idea, as it is old-fashioned and out of style.

Hilary is as Capitalist as can be. Just like the Republicans, she believes in taking donations from big corporations and rich people, and in rewarding them with our public tax dollars.

I hope, if she becomes president, that she would actually try and help out the common "little people" in the US, like all of us pilots, mechanics and flight attendents.

I would prefer to see a ticket of Edwards/Obama or Obama/Edwards. I think Clinton would be somewhat better than Guiliani.

Anyone will be a drastic improvement over GW.

cliff
YIP

Airborne

Good- As I read all these posting about there being CFI shortage, I am finally excited that pilot wages might go up. Pilots are a dime a dozen and unless there truly is a shortage of regional pilots then wages and QOL will continue to get worse. There are so many flight schools out there pumping low time pilots into industry that all airlines realized that they can cut pay and QOL down to the bone because they realize there are 100 more pilots behind them willing to take the job for less pay. Regional are not lowering mins because there is a true shortage, they are lowering the mins because those are the pilots willing to take less pay for more work. Airlines are making pilots dance to there tune and we continue to dance and drink all there Kool Aid. Lets pretend there is a pilot shortage, that would be good too if some of the crappy regional that treat their pilot horrible went of of business sent the message out to the others that they need to take care of there employees or else they may be next. There is no pilot shortage right now. I watch majors turning away qualified pilots by the dozens and low timers are lining up to take a job whomever thay can get a job with. Disagree or not, that is just what I see going on in the industry.

Squawk_5543

Taking my CFII ride on Wed. (Thunderstorms forcast all week ) I'm still keeping you in mind.

TXTECHKA

Good luck, it's not as hard as the initial. I've got another week left at my job here. If somebody shows up in the next week, I can train them in the 310 before I leave and get them on the insurance.

Squawk_5543

LOL...it is the initial.

TXTECHKA

Oh yeah, its gonna suck. The oral is hard, the flight shouldn't be too bad. Where are you taking your checkride at?

Squawk_5543

Fort Worth FSDO. My inspector seems like a pretty decent guy. He gave me the run down on the phone. I don't think he's gonna be one of these 7 hr oral guys....basically said just answer and move on. Doubt we'll get to fly though. How deep did they dive into FOI on yours?