Understand. I have seen folks do CFI training in one month, and know of a few schools that do it in two weeks, so there's certainly interesting options out there.

Lanya~ One of Bob's boys. I know that feeling. The island was a blast, but nothing worse than hearing that iConnect beep in the middle of a nap and hearing Donna "Cap the push is starting" haha. Hell on paradise. How's Jamey doing?

All the guys I knew who focused on pay/QOL initially ended up in a much worse position in the end than guys who ripped the band-aid off.

How is Cape Air doing? I'm from the northeast and they're big out there but they've been cutting flights for lack of crews. I'm sure they gotta be hemorrhaging pilots...

2 year $30,000 contract? Eek! Is it prorated at least?

I'm sure in two years there will be plenty of hiring going on. The landscape will probably look different, but the regionals will still be around, and if things keep going like they are going now, they will need pilots bad.

However, you're going to lose out on at least a year of seniority and turbine time. Who knows what that could cost you career-wise. Could be a small speed bump or a major stumbling block down the road.

Regionals will always be there but don't sign a contract, it's not 2010 anymore. Get your hours and then take a look at the industry. Cape air has a lot of ideas that sound cool on paper but in reality aren't that great

If your financial situation won't allow for you to be cfi, don't expect much from cape air. FO pay sucks. You will also get bumped quite often, and will get treated by pax/gate agents/captains like you're a little kid who just wants to go on airplane rides. The contract is not worth it. I can almost guarantee you'll be kicking yourself when you're a year in and stuck in that contract.

You could try Ameriflight for their Brasilia 120! They're always looking FO for those airplanes with the average total time that you have. They do have bases in Puerto Rico BQN flying in the caribbean.

Pipeline
 

Dude... Don't do it. There are literally $hit tons of options out there right now. Sign up for climbto350.com. I was in your shoes with marginally more time than you back in February and found a gig flying pipeline patrol. Ive been averaging 140 hours a month and will be done building time in September. It's not a cool plane (ratty old 172)and there's no CASS but you will make respectable money for this level of the industry (40ish). The flying isn't super fun either most of the time but I am flying an airplane for a living and filling up the logbook quickly without having to babysit anyone. Good luck to you and PM me if you have any questions.

If I were you and I was a few years ago I would go with any job that is a no contract deal. I know way to many people who get f@#$ by those kinds of deals. I mean hell Miami air has a contract that is only 18000 and that is a 737. So them saying 30k I would pass that up without a second thought. And for sure not Miami air either. I have a friend making crap for pay because he wanted to skip the regionals and now he is stuck there.

If I was you I would stay at your tech job and get the money for a cfi and here is why. Let's say you take a job and **** hits the fan and lose it, if you have a cfi license you have options for other work. And if you end up being good friends withe owner or some of your students it will help you get a job quicker. If you also do a cfi license, it will make you a stronger pilot. I did it for 3 years...

Start by reading the books and teach yourself to save some money. When I was teaching new cfis I would have them ride in the back if the student was cool with it for free and get on the job training. Etc there are ways to get the cfi done cheaper and get great experience that help you in the long run.

But again I would not sign a contract for any flying. Not at their pay either...