Ground Instructor Jobs
 

May sound a bit weird... but is looked down upon by other pilots if a person was to be a ground instructor before being a pilot within the same company? I would assume the salary would be comparable to that of a first year FO but please if I am wrong please correct me. Any thoughts that you might be able to offer I would really appreciate... It seems that with the trend of lower time pilots failing out due to ground school grades, sims, checkrides, etc. that having taught the aircraft previously would offer a person an advantage and allow that person to spend more time on other portions of training. What are your thoughts and reccomendations?

Just a thought...

Some folks may think you don't have any credibility, and will treat you likewise. Its unfortunate, but its the truth. That said, teaching General Subjects and/or Systems will lead you to be more knowledgeable than Average Joe Pilot when/if you make a transition to flying the line.

I know folks that have been hired as ground school instructors but moved to line flying at CHQ and AWAC...I'm sure there are others.

Myself? I can't imagine you would be looked down upon - You've gotta start somewhere with the Company, and a GI is just as respectable as anything IMHO...

That being said, don't go and teach Systems as a GI just because you're nervous about washing-out!! Spend the extra time you need to study and you'll be fine...!

From the Ground Instructor jobs I've seen pay is significantly higher than first year FO. (low to mid 30s)

That is an idea - start with the Company in a better paying position, get over to the Flight Ops side in a year or so, and start flying at 2nd or 3rd year pay! Not to mention the great Lines you'll get from day one!!

Nope. Ground instructors at most companies don't hold seniority numbers, so when you finally do get hired on as a pilot, you'll most likely end up with a pay cut.

I concur.

However line pilots working at least at one regional I am familiar with can be a ground instructor and occasionally fly the line while accruing seniority.