Life at TK?
 

So, I'm 1.5 years along and considering exploring options to compete for a PI slot. I'd love to hear the good, bad, and in-between about life at TK.

I just read section 23 of the UPA... and I've talked with folks that have done it years ago... but wondering what the forum has to say about what it looks like now. I'm currently on the 737 now at a very junior base, and would have an outside shot of getting into Denver with this current vacancy bid as a reserve pilot... but interested in the PI route as well. Would plan to live in Denver area if it works out.

Advice on putting together a competitive package, likelihood of getting hired, life at TK, QOL, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks!

ps: Advice I've gotten so far included volunteering in my local flight office in order to get a good rec from my chief pilot, and stopping by TK to introduce myself to the fleet team and let them know I'm interested.

Goodluck to you! Never a bad thing to add to your professional skills and experience.

To get into TK means you will instruct in sims and that means you must have previous instructor experience. Typically the PIs are chosen from individuals with either military or civilian Instructor/evaluator experience.

The TK gig is a good one because people rarely leave on their own accord. I recently ran into a pilot I know who was hired from the military directly into the PI position and after 20 something years is now just becoming a 737 line Captain. He was a 747 PI all those years, and yes, never flew domestic.

Go after it!

I instructed at TK from 2001 to 2008 with multiple surpluses back to the line during that time. Long story short I came back to TK in 2015 as 76T instructor and am currently teaching on the 777.

Likelihood of getting hired;

Truthfully, it’s extremly competitive. The last time the 737 fleet hired there were nearly 300 applicants for the 17 slots available. I recommended a buddy who was a previous air force instructor. He didn’t even get an interview. No sugar coating at all here, it’s extremly difficult to get in the door now days, even if you are extremly well qualified.

Life at TK;
When you have motivated well prepared students the job is enjoyable and rewarding. When you’ve got ****ed off, self entitled, drama queens the job gets more difficult. (Yes I am referring to some select 400 turds here.) I’ll just say that you’ll ether learn good people skills and when to let it go and when to stomp with both feet or you won’t last long in this job. Most of your students are great. The 10% who aren’t take up a lot of your time and emotional capital unfortunately.

QOL at TK;
So one thing to understand is that you are going to be working more days at TK than you would on the line. Work days can be nice easy 12:00 briefs or they can be miserable multiple 04:00’s in a row and a 20:00 the next day or visa versa. During the winter training rush you will get worn out, it is extremly busy this time of the year and the sims are only shut down between 02:00 and 06:00 and you’ll be working both sides of the clock a lot.

We get 13 days off a month. You’ve got to fly a minimum of 36 days a year. So most guys on the NB fleets break it into 3 fly days a month. The WB guys either do 3 fly days per month or 6 every other month.


At TK the slow training months are the summertime so more vacation gets allotted in the summer.

Overall I usually get the days off that I want. I always get summer vacation and TK is closed for thanksgiving day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day so you are always going to have those off. I’m about 50% seniority on my fleet.

What other specific questions can I answer for you?

36 Fly Days for Wide Body. Airbus and 737 fleet schedules 30 Fly Days per year.

Thank you. :) I forgot that the 737/320 guys have fewer fly days.

As far as QOL from above, IMO if you live in Denver, TK is a pretty good lifestyle. If you commute not so much.

Thanks!
 

Awesome insights... much appreciated. I'll get my resume updated and see what happens.

Do you actually like it though? Besides holidays off. Just curious, seems like it would get terribly boring, plus only 13 days off you are working more then line guys. I get that some guys like to instruct, but hours in the back of that box seems mind numbing to me. I’ve had some great instructors over the years at CAL and now UAL, but I always thought that job would have a high burnout rate. Glad some guys really put their hearts into it, I’ve had some really good instructors over the years. I’m curious too, do you actually make more or less then you would on the line?

It’s the FTC....the proper nomenclature will more likely impress them during your interview

i remember some PI's down in Houston who could teach doctoral callouts but only elementary systems applications. Proper nomenclature indeed...... until impact.