proskuneho

Hi guys -

How long did you work as a CFI before your first 121/corporate/fractional/whatever job? What hours did you have? I was in aviation management for five years and have been an instructor for a year and a half. I have about 1040 total with 260 multi, and it seems like it might be another 5-10 months before I can move to the next level.

By the way - HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

ExperimentalAB

Three long weeks LoL...but this was over two years ago. Hang in there!

flyboyzz1

never full time...only part time while I was in school...got on at beagle with 1100 and 120. Stayed 8 mnths and got on with SKW with 1400 and maybe 150 CRJ time. Couldn't be happier with the switch. Hang in there man. Make sure you build as much time as possible and meet as many people as you can in the industry so when the time comes you are as prepared as you can be.

proprat

I started instructing May 2002, and landed a check-hauling job May 2003. The job really sucked (I wasn't made to haul checks and body parts), so I went back to instructing from July 2003 till April 2004 where I got both a regional offer and a charter offer. I took the charter option which gave me the exposure to corporate and had the time to do some contract corporate stuff. In November 2006 I moved to a corporate gig.

Oops, forgot the flight times: 1200 for the check job, 1800 for the regional/charter offers, 2500 for the corporate.

UnlimitedAkro

2.5 years of instructing before heading to the airlines. I did CFI, CFII, MEI, and received an ATP before my first airline, and it was the best decision ever. I highly recommened everyone instruct for at the least 6 months before moving into a professional aviation career.

flyguy81

Got hired as CFI Aug 2003 and got hired by the airline April 2005. Started applying for jobs when I reached the 1000/100 minimums in Sept 2004.

Mason32

The current generation really needs to grow up, and stop whining. Historically, most at 121 airlines had well over 2,500 hours TT with their ATP before they ever stepped foot on the flight deck of a regional turboprop... They instructed, flew night charter, traffic reporting, banner towing, jumpers... anything to build time...
Recently we have seen part 121 arline hiring dip as low as 260 hours total time, going right into the right seat of a jet aircraft... These folks were very very very lucky, and they really need to catch up, get with the program, and stop whining.

Oh, since you asked. 2,000/500 ATP-CFI-CFII-MEI before I went to a regional. First flying job... flying traffic reporting. Did CFI stuff part time, mostly for people willing to pay what I charged.... (meaning, I have never ever been the type to give it away for nothing just to log time)... I didn't have anywhere near as many students as the kids flying at the FBO... but I certainly made the same money they did, if not more... and I was teaching in much nicer equipment.

Mason32

Very well said

proskuneho

Nobody whining here. The purpose of this thread is to learn what the road was like for MOST people, NOT just the lucky few who got into the right seat of a jet with 300 TT. As for me, I am thankful for my experiences as a CFI/CFII/MEI, and I know that I still have much to learn.
By the way, how long did it take you? Did you have to walk up-hill both ways barefoot in the snow to get to your CFI job? LOL.

el jefe

Experience can only be gained by flying. You need to experience those "oh sh#t" moments and learn from them.
You need to beg, borrow or steal to get more flying time. Try to fly to as many different airports as you can. Fly into busy airspace as much as you can. Fly IFR as much as you can. Do more than just slow flight in the right seat all day.