Anything other than flight instructing?
11-16-2009 | 12:21 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 315
Likes: 0
From: 757 right seat
So here is the deal, I have almost 2000 hours and 1600-1700 duel given. I love to fly, but I am completely burned out on instructing. Watching students try to maintain heading and altitude while hanging the airplane on the prop during slow flight in 115 degree Arizona heat, trying to impress upon my 12th instrument student how to select and execute a proper hold entry, and dealing with the stress and annoyance of endless stagechecks and checkrides (particularly when students fail) is taking it's toll on me.
To make matters worse, I work at a sweat shop, 4 flights a day equates to 12 hours, or more at work, and now they are starting to demand instructors come in on their days off if quotas are not met regardless of whether it is thru any fault of our own. I make a lower middle class salary with benefits, although a large chunk of that goes to student loans, but I'm miserable.
Like I said, I love to fly, and it's hard to see myself doing anything else, but I am having serious thoughts of just leaving the industry. I'm only 24 and never thought I would be this burned out and miserable this early in my career.
No airline seems to be hiring, in fact I'm not sure I could even find another instructor job if I lost this one, but I really need to get out of instructing, and into some sort of transport operation, 121, 135, corporate or fractional, in this country or just about any other. Is there anything out there?
To make matters worse, I work at a sweat shop, 4 flights a day equates to 12 hours, or more at work, and now they are starting to demand instructors come in on their days off if quotas are not met regardless of whether it is thru any fault of our own. I make a lower middle class salary with benefits, although a large chunk of that goes to student loans, but I'm miserable.
Like I said, I love to fly, and it's hard to see myself doing anything else, but I am having serious thoughts of just leaving the industry. I'm only 24 and never thought I would be this burned out and miserable this early in my career.
No airline seems to be hiring, in fact I'm not sure I could even find another instructor job if I lost this one, but I really need to get out of instructing, and into some sort of transport operation, 121, 135, corporate or fractional, in this country or just about any other. Is there anything out there?
11-16-2009 | 12:45 PM
#42
Line Holder
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: EMB 145 CA/FO
Find a job flying for the UN. You have the rest of your career to fly a jet from Chicago to Toledo. Go fly around the world with the UN. Another alternative would be join the Military or the Guard. Visit an AF Guard base near you and apply. Nothing in the airline industry will be changing much in the next 3-5 years. Why not fly around the world for the UN or the AF?
If you need help finding a job with the UN PM me.
If you need help finding a job with the UN PM me.
11-16-2009 | 05:49 PM
#44
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,168
Likes: 0
From: Reclined
What's wrong with instructing?
I have a friend who gets $1,000 a day plus expenses to teach.
If you are havign a hard time instructing then I'd say you are your own worst enemy.
Go get yourself a type in a Mustang, or Pheanom, or SimCom certified in the TBM850 or PC12. There are hundreds and hundreds of owners who need 25-50 hours per their insurance Co. before going to SimCom... they also need IPC's, BFR's and some just like having a pro sitting next to them.
Does my friend fly everyday of the month; nope. But he does manage to make about 7k a month working less days than I do. He also spent quite a bit of time calling insurance companies, printing cards and brochures and selling himself as a turbine instructor that specializes in the TBM700/750. Most of his jobs have been either insurance company referal, or owners group referals.
So, if your stuggling as a CFI, look in the mirror. The CFI ticket is litterally a ticket to make what you can out of it yourself.
I have a friend who gets $1,000 a day plus expenses to teach.
If you are havign a hard time instructing then I'd say you are your own worst enemy.
Go get yourself a type in a Mustang, or Pheanom, or SimCom certified in the TBM850 or PC12. There are hundreds and hundreds of owners who need 25-50 hours per their insurance Co. before going to SimCom... they also need IPC's, BFR's and some just like having a pro sitting next to them.
Does my friend fly everyday of the month; nope. But he does manage to make about 7k a month working less days than I do. He also spent quite a bit of time calling insurance companies, printing cards and brochures and selling himself as a turbine instructor that specializes in the TBM700/750. Most of his jobs have been either insurance company referal, or owners group referals.
So, if your stuggling as a CFI, look in the mirror. The CFI ticket is litterally a ticket to make what you can out of it yourself.
11-17-2009 | 01:37 PM
#46
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 276
Likes: 0
What's wrong with instructing?
I have a friend who gets $1,000 a day plus expenses to teach.
If you are havign a hard time instructing then I'd say you are your own worst enemy.
Go get yourself a type in a Mustang, or Pheanom, or SimCom certified in the TBM850 or PC12. There are hundreds and hundreds of owners who need 25-50 hours per their insurance Co. before going to SimCom... they also need IPC's, BFR's and some just like having a pro sitting next to them.
Does my friend fly everyday of the month; nope. But he does manage to make about 7k a month working less days than I do. He also spent quite a bit of time calling insurance companies, printing cards and brochures and selling himself as a turbine instructor that specializes in the TBM700/750. Most of his jobs have been either insurance company referal, or owners group referals.
So, if your stuggling as a CFI, look in the mirror. The CFI ticket is litterally a ticket to make what you can out of it yourself.
I have a friend who gets $1,000 a day plus expenses to teach.
If you are havign a hard time instructing then I'd say you are your own worst enemy.
Go get yourself a type in a Mustang, or Pheanom, or SimCom certified in the TBM850 or PC12. There are hundreds and hundreds of owners who need 25-50 hours per their insurance Co. before going to SimCom... they also need IPC's, BFR's and some just like having a pro sitting next to them.
Does my friend fly everyday of the month; nope. But he does manage to make about 7k a month working less days than I do. He also spent quite a bit of time calling insurance companies, printing cards and brochures and selling himself as a turbine instructor that specializes in the TBM700/750. Most of his jobs have been either insurance company referal, or owners group referals.
So, if your stuggling as a CFI, look in the mirror. The CFI ticket is litterally a ticket to make what you can out of it yourself.
11-17-2009 | 04:12 PM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
I would say not to take your schedule for granted. I was on top of the world flight instructing in the summertime, with 80 hours or so a month. Now I'm lucky to fly 5 hours a week! I live in a much more seasonal climate, as opposed to AZ, which stays sunny all year.
Be thankful that you're staying busy and building flight time. Just the way I should be thankful that I even have a CFI job even if its not getting me as much flight time as I'd like.
Basically, there is always going to be someone envious of what you do, so be appreciative that someone would like your job. Could be a fresh CFI unable to find work, or maybe a burnt-out, furloughed regional pilot wishing to teach again. Or perhaps me, since I would die for more students.
Be thankful that you're staying busy and building flight time. Just the way I should be thankful that I even have a CFI job even if its not getting me as much flight time as I'd like.
Basically, there is always going to be someone envious of what you do, so be appreciative that someone would like your job. Could be a fresh CFI unable to find work, or maybe a burnt-out, furloughed regional pilot wishing to teach again. Or perhaps me, since I would die for more students.
11-17-2009 | 06:00 PM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Student Pilot
hey V1Rotate,
maxforwardspeed beat me to it, but I was also going to suggest trying to get on with a reserves or guard unit. You have a good amount of flight experience so that will show your dedication to aviation. It's not a superquick or easy process to get a pilot slot, but if you try hard enough you could probably find a unit that will hire you. And once that happens, you will have so much to look forward to that your daily crappy CFI life wont matter much anymore
Or you're still young enough that you can get on with a unit as a loadmaster or navigator and try to work yourself up that way.
maxforwardspeed beat me to it, but I was also going to suggest trying to get on with a reserves or guard unit. You have a good amount of flight experience so that will show your dedication to aviation. It's not a superquick or easy process to get a pilot slot, but if you try hard enough you could probably find a unit that will hire you. And once that happens, you will have so much to look forward to that your daily crappy CFI life wont matter much anymore
Or you're still young enough that you can get on with a unit as a loadmaster or navigator and try to work yourself up that way.
11-17-2009 | 06:16 PM
#49
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 590
Likes: 0
From: 737
So here is the deal, I have almost 2000 hours and 1600-1700 duel given. I love to fly, but I am completely burned out on instructing. Watching students try to maintain heading and altitude while hanging the airplane on the prop during slow flight in 115 degree Arizona heat, trying to impress upon my 12th instrument student how to select and execute a proper hold entry, and dealing with the stress and annoyance of endless stagechecks and checkrides (particularly when students fail) is taking it's toll on me.
To make matters worse, I work at a sweat shop, 4 flights a day equates to 12 hours, or more at work, and now they are starting to demand instructors come in on their days off if quotas are not met regardless of whether it is thru any fault of our own. I make a lower middle class salary with benefits, although a large chunk of that goes to student loans, but I'm miserable.
Like I said, I love to fly, and it's hard to see myself doing anything else, but I am having serious thoughts of just leaving the industry. I'm only 24 and never thought I would be this burned out and miserable this early in my career.
No airline seems to be hiring, in fact I'm not sure I could even find another instructor job if I lost this one, but I really need to get out of instructing, and into some sort of transport operation, 121, 135, corporate or fractional, in this country or just about any other. Is there anything out there?
To make matters worse, I work at a sweat shop, 4 flights a day equates to 12 hours, or more at work, and now they are starting to demand instructors come in on their days off if quotas are not met regardless of whether it is thru any fault of our own. I make a lower middle class salary with benefits, although a large chunk of that goes to student loans, but I'm miserable.
Like I said, I love to fly, and it's hard to see myself doing anything else, but I am having serious thoughts of just leaving the industry. I'm only 24 and never thought I would be this burned out and miserable this early in my career.
No airline seems to be hiring, in fact I'm not sure I could even find another instructor job if I lost this one, but I really need to get out of instructing, and into some sort of transport operation, 121, 135, corporate or fractional, in this country or just about any other. Is there anything out there?
You are paying your dues....and you will pay some more...it all comes from the top...yes sh!t rolls downhill and you are getting some...even at your level. Try being furloughed like some of the folks on here....
11-17-2009 | 07:27 PM
#50
On Reserve
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: EMB FO
After being with the regional for little over a year, rsv the whole time, and having my based changed twice, I wasn't too sad to get furloughed. I was ready to go back to instructing for a break... after six months of instructing I'm ready to go back on rsv. It all gets old after awhile.
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