You might consider looking for a job instructing at one of those schools in CA or AZ that train foreign pilots. One in Bakersfield has been advertising a salary in the high 40's, weekends off, and full benefits. This would be a great place to weather the current hiring freeze.

As you gain experience, you might want to consider going to a fractional instead of an airline. After talking to a couple of fractional pilots lately, I get the impression their business hasn't slowed a whole lot (yet). You may very well have the hours to apply at a fractional by the time airlines start hiring again.

Also, somebody earlier mentioned ultralights. There are a couple of schools in CA that make great money providing instruction with light sport aircraft. With fuel and other costs rising rapidly, I'll bet this will be one of the fastest growing segments of GA in the years ahead. It might be a good place to get in on the ground floor.

There's still plenty of opportunity out there. It might not be in the right seat of a jet, but chances are you'll be getting paid better and having more fun!

 

Wait tables.

Back in 2002 you were HAPPY to have a CFI job that you flew more than 10 hours a month. I cfi'd for three years and then flew freight for two, then got to slide into a semi clean CRJ once I had 3000tt. You can now do it too....you can be just like me.

 

Thats what I'm saying, everyone bashes me for what I said in my original post , and yes I dreamed of jets when I was instructing , but , reality was, I was aware I would need a couple thousand hrs. to even get considered at a regional. you had to pay your dues and work your way up.

 

EXACTLY ...

 

Hey I help out whenever I can.

 

If you're going to instruct then I would definately go somewhere where you can make money...florida and az come to mind... I liked instructing it just didn't have enough growth potential for me. I got hired just before the boom stopped so in that way I got lucky... but if I had to go back to instructing it wouldn't be the end of my world, but I certainly wouldn't work for 16k a year.

 

OK , I'll tell you hwat to do. First , you have all your ratings and CFI so your off to a good start . Next go find an FBO that has a 135 cert. and get a job instructing there. Now you might have to work lineservice also to supplement your paycheck, but if you want it bad enough buck up and do it. If possible find an FBO with turbine equipment, I live in wisconsin and can think of three right off the top of my head. get to 135 mins and start flying pax and frieght charter for them eventually working up to the turbine stuff. Fly the turbine equip. till you have 5000 hrs (seems to be a magic number) . Then go get a part 91 job and sit back and watch the money roll in.
This is what I did, It took me about 10 years, and yes it sucked at times. But I fly citations for six figures a year now and it was well worth it. Any questions PM me I'll be happy to answer.

 

http://www.ifta.aero/

 

Thats why we aren't respected as professionals now... You think the above progression is "normal?" I thought pilots wanted to bring pay and benefits up across the board, not say "thank God those young guys are gonna have to suffer like I did."

I'd rather instruct my whole career than sit on the right of someone like you...

 

Then Keep flying your Cirrus around and leave the airline flying to us! There are many more of us old dogs out there that grinded out thousands of hours to be competitive for a regional job than the 500 hour newby's out there!