I think I'm expecting a miracle to take place. This thread actually gave me hope! lol.
But in reality...the only reason I want this now is because im young and naive and want to fly jets...not to mention the travel benefits....5 years from now I probably won't want to sit right seat waiting in the never ending line.

 

They do this in Europe too. But I will guarantee you that in most cases the selection process is tough and getting the licenses in some of those so-called 'third world countries' is not easy, like it is in the US. There is no Gleim book you can buy with all the answers. No computerized practice tests you can take until you can pass the real thing.

Don't knock how the rest of the world does it until you have done it their way.

 

If you think that you will make more as a first year FO than CFIing you are an idiot. As an FO you may make more per flight hour, however, sitting on reserve, you get minimum guarentee, usually 70-75 hours per month. That's less than 20/wk. So if you work for 18/hr as an instructor and between flight time and ground lessons cna get paid for 30 hours a week...you are cleaning up compared to being an FO.

Give you a hint, I made 19/hr as an instructor, I make 22/hr now as an FO. I raked in almost twice as much instructing as I do now. There's a LOT more to it than the amount per hour.

 

First year pay is weak anywhere. Depending on the company, second year pay can be a big boost. At Air Wisconsin, second year pay is about 50% more than first year pay. Be sure to check the pay raises based on longevity as part of your research.

Air Wisconsin is a bit meek right now and has not experienced the happy growth of some of the other regionals, but we are better paid than most.

Pay is not everything. Not even close. But make sure you do your research on this issue.

 

How about all the time you spend sitting around the FBO, waiting for the phone to ring? I did quite a bit of that when I was a new instructor.

 

I think we're getting glommed off on the minimums vice being competitive.

The way I see it:

Assumptions: 4 yr degree, starting at age 22 with a comm/inst ticket and about 300hrs, goal is FedEx, Cathay DEFO, UPS, CAL.....

Track 1: CFI'd in college, about 700 C152 PIC at graduation. Kept working as a CFI @ 500hrs/yr, including small amounts of MEI. You'll hit the minimums in 4 years. How long to be competitive for the goal airlines? You have the times, but short of sleeping with a chief/check pilot's dughter, are you going to get the call?

Track 2: Went to a regional at 22. 850 hrs/yr, make capt in 4 years (give or take, but an avg). Two years later you have 1700 turbine 121 PIC (not a requirement, but relevant experience. And if you're smart your network included folks there that can help (like fly lines with commuting FedEx guys that jumpseat in your jet). Are you going to get the call?

Track 3: ROTC pays for college...get released from the military in 10 years with 3000TT and 1500 PIC and a kick a$$ network??

As I see it, track 1 is never going the get the call, unless they go to a regional/135 op to get relevant experience, meet some folks and are able to compete against Mr Track #2.... and he/she's got a 4 year head start......

So, it all depends on where you want to be, the fastest way to get there....

 

[quote=Spongebob;99718]I think we're getting glommed off on the minimums vice being competitive.




Track 1: CFI'd in college, about 700 C152 PIC at graduation. Kept working as a CFI @ 500hrs/yr, including small amounts of MEI. You'll hit the minimums in 4 years.



Plus you'd probably have killed yourself about 2 years ago...

 

Ha...did the CFI thing for a solid two years and nearly DID kill myself by the end (this time without the student's help)!

 

My concern is not whether a 250 hr pilot should apply. My concern is the company hiring them.
I don't blame the pilot, after all if I could have gotten hired by a regional at 250 hrs, then I would have tried.
I believe this is something the pilots union needs to gain scope on in future contracts.

 

This is a good post.

Over at JetCareers they hate sub 500 hour pilots, when they all know they're just trying to move on.