Lost my instructor to Mesa
 

I was sort of in shock when I heard that my instructor for the last several years, one who I use for recurrency work and such, was in Arizona for training with Mesa. I knew I had not seen his car at the FBO over the last few weeks.

Now, this is a fellow who probably exceeded their base hiring minimums by a factor of at least 10. Thousands of hours in the log book, including hundreds of MEL, MU2 time, part 135 work, etc. He's also 50 years old. I guess age 65 retirement will work well for him.

Bottom line: He just couldn't make ends meet by instructing any more.

I called him up as soon as I heard the news last night and wished him well.

I told him to get the job, build up the hours, and once he has enough turbine PIC time to give me a call, and I'll have my captain friend at Southwest walk in his resume! :)

It must just depend on where you're instructing. I was a full time instructor in California until recently and I was doing fairly well. I flew 1100 hours in 12 months, plus some ground instruction, and I think my hourly wage was probably above most first year regional FOs.

Actually, I could never understand why everyone seems to be in such a rush to get out of instructing. I can't speak for the situation elsewhere, but it's been pretty good to me. Maybe I'm just spoiled teaching where I do.

Also, can you have your captain friend at Southwest walk in my resume, too?
I'll hook you up with a BFR or something.

I wonder if he got a street Capt job?

Keep in mind, Training out here in Cali (At least the southern part) almost never gets cancelled due to weather. I've been flying out of KTRM and KPSP and we've only called it off twice due to wind. Closer to LA the wind isn't really as much of a factor so I would be willing to bet you could instruct 360 days a year. Elsewhere in the country I would assume that instructing becomes a somewhat seasonal job.

I did very well instructing. Just wanted to make the next move in life. Now I make half of what I did then but we'll see.

I figured it out. He read that 100K+ at Mesa thread.

I'll have to get my app in.