Regional pilot development program
10-13-2016 | 10:40 PM
#1
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Regional pilot development program
I am a newly minted CFI working at a flight school in the Northwest. Just recently, Horizon set up a recruiting event at my school announcing their brand new "pilot development program." I interviewed for the program and was accepted with the following conditions. I will receive a $7500 signing bonus now and as soon as I reach 1500 hrs I will immediately start working for Horizon with a 2 year obligation. If I am still 18-24 months away from reaching ATP minimums, do you think this is a good thing? I don't feel like I know nearly enough about how things work to make a good decision so I appreciate any advice!
10-13-2016 | 11:34 PM
#2
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Joined: Feb 2016
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I think that would be a terrible idea. If you still have 18-24 months of instructing, who knows what 18-24 months is going to do to this industry. The last thing you want is to be tied to Horizon and there be a 10X better deal for you to take with a different regional when you have your time.
If I were you I would just focus on getting my time and keeping up with the industry, but don't even think about committing yourself down to 1 regional yet. When you are about 6 months from getting your time, that is when I would be seriously considering which regional you would want to go to.
If I were you I would just focus on getting my time and keeping up with the industry, but don't even think about committing yourself down to 1 regional yet. When you are about 6 months from getting your time, that is when I would be seriously considering which regional you would want to go to.
10-14-2016 | 12:35 AM
#4
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Joined: Jun 2016
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Terrible deal. Get your hours first. Then get that or a better offer without the 2 year commitment.
In today's industry I wouldn't commit to anywhere for 2 years.
With where you are for hours, it's way too soon for you to choose an airline. Things in this business change overnight.
In today's industry I wouldn't commit to anywhere for 2 years.
With where you are for hours, it's way too soon for you to choose an airline. Things in this business change overnight.
10-14-2016 | 02:17 AM
#5
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If you are a newly minted CFI I would suggest you do what ever you can to move from a school that only offer 50-60 hours per month. There are several schools that offer 80-100 hours per month.
Then again you might now be mobile.
Then again you might now be mobile.
10-14-2016 | 03:00 AM
#6
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If you did sign the $7500 now because you absolutely needed the money to finish school, you could always go somewhere else later that was offering more money and pay back the $7500 with the larger bonus checks that are being paid out elsewhere. AA wholly owned are paying $20k, so you could pay back the $7500 with that. But, you would burn a bridge before you ever really got in the industry. It is also ethically wrong.
Pedro is right - you can get 80-100 hours a month and get in the game a lot faster.
Pedro is right - you can get 80-100 hours a month and get in the game a lot faster.
10-14-2016 | 03:13 AM
#7
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From: Main Cabin
10-14-2016 | 03:35 AM
#8
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Sounds like you might be at HIO. I suggest do not take the money. Instruct until you've got 500 hours TT then try hard to get a job with a Pictometry vendor. They typically pay a lot better than your gig at HIO and you can build time faster while gaining real-world cross country experience. Then you'll have your pick of regionals and be able to take whatever bonus is offered at the time. My $0.02.
10-14-2016 | 04:31 AM
#9
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Joined: Aug 2014
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From: CR9 CA, FT Minivan Driver
If you did sign the $7500 now because you absolutely needed the money to finish school, you could always go somewhere else later that was offering more money and pay back the $7500 with the larger bonus checks that are being paid out elsewhere. AA wholly owned are paying $20k, so you could pay back the $7500 with that. But, you would burn a bridge before you ever really got in the industry. It is also ethically wrong.
Just enjoy the flying. Focus on honing your craft, while developing the next generation of pilots behind you.
Congrats on starting your career - we're excited for you and hope to have you continue to share your insight and experiences! Good luck!
10-14-2016 | 04:32 AM
#10
Always on vacation
Joined: Jan 2015
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From: CFII/MEI
just look back 3 years ago in this industry... jobs were hard to come by, the pay was in the low 20K across the regional world... Now anywhere you go, you will mostly get a $7500+ signing bonus and a first year off total income in the 50K range, and you need to have a pulse to get hired... Imagine how much can change in the next 2 years... you could be making a really good choice grabbing that $7500, if everything craps out in the near future ( not likely ) or you can be selling yourself short if this pay and signing bonus madness keeps going up, (most likely).
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