CFI to regional: typical stuff
 

Hello, everyone. I've been reading the forum for a couple years but have never posted. Figured it's time to break the silence and present the issue that so many of you guys and gals have dealt with in the past.

I'm a flight instructor a 141 associated with a university in the Midwest, finishing my degree this May. I've got my apps in with several regionals and meet the mins for XJT, Trans States and ...Eagle. 700TT, 60ME, CFI, CFII, MEI. I've got several friends at Eagle and Pinnacle as well as XJT who went through the same program, served their time instructing, etc.

What advice do you have for someone in my shoes? I have not received any interview offers (probably because I'm not available until May ...graduation, blah blah bah, not to mention the low time) but hope to soon.

Any words of wisdom?

Get 40 more hours of Multi and your phone will probably ring off the hook.

Take the first class offered - get your name on a seniority list somewhere.

Study your ass off, don't party too much, keep your PRIA clean, and do your time. Expect to get furloughed. When you do, don't waste time getting somewhere else (even though it means starting over).

Nobody can really predict this industry...in May we don't know what the hiring situation will look like with any of the regionals. YMMV.

Be very flexible, what may seem like a great airline to go to today, might not be so glamorous down the road. Hopefully, your degree is in something other than aviation science. I made that mistake, and when I was hit with the big F bomb; No one would touch me with a degree thats pretty much useless outside of the flight deck.

Don't go chasing that fast upgrade either, choose a place you can live in the right seat for a few years. Also take into account work rules, min day pay, cancellation/deadhead pay ect... All this matters, especially during the winter months. You'll hear and see guys whining about this career. The bottom line is, if they hate it so much, many would just leave and pursue greener pastures.
Good luck to you, Cheers!

I'm in an almost similar situation as Omnivorous. I have 560TT/53 multi, just my initial CFI, RJ Course. I graduate in November with a BS in Aviation Technology & Management.

I had two interviews last year. I made it through all three rounds at American Eagle but wasn't selected at the end of the day. They went bankrupt anyway... I was hired at another regional last October, but the offer was rescinded two weeks ago because of HR 5900 coming next August. They said I wouldn't have enough hours. So, I'm back to square one.

If I had to pay to get my 100 multi, it would be around $13,000 to get the remaining 40hrs I need. I'm just curious if I could even get a job. That's one heck of an investment, on top of my initial training and my college education. I just want to get up and go to work. I fly when I can and update my airlinapps accordingly. Staying optimistic.

Who rescinded the offer because of HR5900? PSA? I guess they think you won't get 940 hours in 1 year and a half?

Depending on the reserve situation they could be right. I have flown only about 1400 hours while on reserve the last 4 years. Now if I could count deadhead time I'd probably be over 3000 in that time.

Yes, good guess. it was PSA. I really wanted to go there.

Negative. I'm yet another victim of the Professional Pilot degree with a general business minor (not to say it's a bad thing to have). If I'd understood that I could get my ratings through an aviation minor and gotten my degree in Econ when I started college, my answer would be a bit different now.

Sorry to hear that!
I was interested to, but got the thanks but no thanks e-mail (860/50) right away luckily :)
A few months ago they were hiring guys with 300 hours I heard. Go figure!