Instructing vs. Regionals
 

So we already know that some senior guys at the regionals have the golden handcuffs and can't / won't take the first year pay cut to move on to the majors.
We are now starting to see more flight schools offer pay which far exceeds the regional's year one pay. How many instructors are willing to take a $10,000 pay cut to sit reserve in ORD?

This add form the orange web site.

"CFI in Pensacola FL. Preference will be given to CFII but will consider all applicants. Salary $32,000."

Newsflash: You won't always be on first year pay. And you won't always be on reserve in ORD.

That said, some CFIs might have the golden handcuffs called student loans. In any case, except in certain circumstances (independent CFI with a good book of business) your 5 year earnings at a regional will be much better than as a CFI with more time off, travel, etc.

Added to that: not many airlines beyond the regionals hiring CFIs. Bottom line: think about your career as a whole, not your next paycheck.

If you want to go airline, and have always wanted a career in it....GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Seniority is everything and all your doing is possibly setting yourself to be furloughed one day when your airline lays off 80 guys, and you were the 80th because you hemmed and hawed an extra class date that had you taken you would have been 79th and not furloughed. Lines, reserve, upgrade time..... GO.

Also counter to what others think, I as many others did took a pay cut for our first regional jobs. instructors: Don't think that "sitting reserve in ORD" is something to be embarrassed about. in the end of the day, that person has worldwide free travel, flies for an airline, and is closer to landing a major job than an instructor is no matter how big the instructor's ego is.

In 1998, when I was making $2200 a month instructing, ALL of the regionals paid less for FOs. I asked my fellow instructors basically the same question, "Why should we take a pay cut?" The answer? "The regionals are a quicker path to the majors." Well, maybe for those who chose the right company. I will say that going 135, who paid more than regionals, did not lead to a major for me. YMMV.

Oh, and the sitting reserve in XYZ issue: I would rather be at a second tier company with no commute than a first tier with a crappy commute. I would even look at a third tier if they have a stable (whatever that means) base in your back yard. But that is just me.

The best indicator of someone that has no big picture concept of a career is they get bent out of shape over year 1 pay.

What does CFIing do for an airline career beyond gaining the experience to get hired by a regional airline? Answer: nada.

I made more than $32,000 on first year pay without working any overtime, spent minimal time on reserve and had an extra week off per month compared to the average CFI. (includes 5k bonus and per diem)

135 rarely leads to a major...

Newsflash! Why bother going to the regionals at all? There are plenty of right seat vacancies for Citations, King Airs etc who need a gear swinger. Could contract out on the side while you instruct.

Not true Mr Mustache. I know plenty of guys who instructed, went to Ameriflight, and now fly for Allegiant, Southwest and JetBlue. Not one single hour in the Barbie jet.

Your example is rare. The other side of the spectrum, Great Lakes starts out at $16 an hour, at a 75 hour guarantee that's $14,400 a year base.