There is lots of truth, here. However, it starts, even before you make it to the Regionals. The true front line right now, if anyone chooses to fight, is the CFIs. Without them, the whole thing burns down. I am hopefull that for the first time in recent history, people will start to realize this. After all, who is going to train all of these 250hr "wonderkidz".

I chose not to take a "short cut", and have built 1500 hours as a CFI in the last two years. I refused to work for Mesa, BlowJets, or TSA. (No I'm not an idiot, but there were some false promises made by my employer about opportunities for multi-time, and I got a few false sarts)

Two years ago, I waited to get on with the local FBO, as they paid $20 hr, when the local "pilot factories" paid about $10/hr. I refused to work for that Sh**t.

I left the local FBO, when they started making us pay for our own health insurance. In a polite way (yes, I'll still get a good reference), I said F**ck you, if this is the value you think I add to the company.

I then went to work, localy, for a UK based "Airline School", training for JAA licenses, starting at $30K/yr with benefits, bonuses and regular raises.

When I left that job (today was my last day), to go to ExpressJet, the starting pay was just increased to $40K/yr, and productivity bonuses increased significantly, up to about $8K/yr. They have lost 4 instructors, in 3 weeks, and are desparate for new ones.

I used to feel like an idiot, climbing out of a Warrior, wearing eppulates. When I realized that, if I stayed, I would make 2.5 times what I will make as a 1st year FO on the ERJ, and that I was wearing a company provided uniform, vs paying $750.00 for it at XJT, I thought maybe I should wear them into the grocery store, on the way home.

Realizing that very few of us, here, want to be CFIs, forever.... if you're going to do the job, do it well. Insist on a competetive wage. Don't ***** yourself out for nothing, take the time to learn a few things along the way, and then go to work for a quality airline, when you ae ready. If you are free-lancing you should be getting at least $50/hr, with the liablility you face, and the training you have behind you. I have found that if you are good at what you do, the word gets out, people will glady pay it.

I don't mean to sound like a marxist, but, If ALPA had any sense, they would try to organize CFIs. The only chance this industry has to be even a shadow of it's former self, is when the Regionals and Flight Schools have to start competing to attract qualified (in this day and age) pilots. A supply and demand issue is brewing...we need to capialize on it, now.

 

Well you are first year so yeah you wont make 40k, and I work at Expressjet not Pinnacle............................ If your second year how the hell did you only make 23 so far?

 

I am humbled and honored, gentlemen. Keep the blue up and the master cautions off.

 

I've been saying that ALPA needs to send an entry-level membership card and newsletter to every pilot that earns a CPL. The list is easy enough to get.

 

You have my best wishes and hopes. It would be great if you would fly me to Europe one day.

SkyHigh

 

I would advocate that entirely. I might even kick in a little bit of money to help it happen.

On a related topic. I recently spoke with the DPE who is a regualr at my flight school. He made a comment on CPL's recently that hit home how bad it is going to get in the future. He said that 5 years ago, even with 9/11 he was doing 30-40 CPL's a year. He says he doesn't have to use one hand to count how many he has done in the past 12 calendar months. Other DPE's say about the same. Gear up, its going to get worse.

 

jbond and saab: I work at express with saab and for first year i will be around 34 grand gross and i didnt go crazy with open time. I enjoy my time off way too much and averaged about 85 hours or so a month. there are first year fo's here who get close to 40 first year. and can get into the 50's on second year pay.

 

Thanks Sky! I'd like to do the Caribbean runs on the A300 but if and when they get rid of those, I'll go to the 777 or 787 and fly you to Europe then.

 

Where did you get that ever so accurate crystal ball of yours? I need to get me one of those.

Please.

 

Hey brotha, I hope to make around 50 next year I live in Base so if its not a weekend Ill pick stuff up for the cash, especially in the winter, not much going on anyway, however I keep hearing EWR is in for deep deep SH*T, I hope the lines dont look like CLE's in a year, but I guess only time will telly, as long as I can hold a relief line Ill be happy, the next headeache will be picking which base i will have to commute to to upgrade