Are there any options for TK Instructors to move into a non-seniority list instructor position should the need arise for either medical reasons, age-out, or just not wanting to fiy the line anymore?

No, but they can stay active teaching for 12 months after losing medical before being forced onto LTD. All Flight Instructors are active seniority list pilots who also fly at least a few days a month.

The Ground Instructors do hire an occasional retire line pilot, but they aren’t on seniority list.

Bringing this thread back from the dead a bit, but it seemed the best place to ask:

Are there ways for FOs to get involved in the training department other than sim instructing, or is TK the only route?

TK is the training department. There are some other areas of the building you can work other than just instructing though. Jobs get posted through the HR site that are open for pilots to apply.

do you first and foremost enjoy teaching. If you have any doubts, not the right job….

I agree..

however-

You were hired to be a Professional Airline Pilot, How about being that for 2-3 years (2 full seasons of line flying) before taking a stint at teaching?!
Then, use your fly days to ACTUALLY fly! Don’t spend half the time deadheading to and fro.
If you need to deadhead- you’re welcome to sit in my cockpit jumpseat so you see what we are actually doing out there!

If you’re new here.. please read this and think hard before your next step~

Motch

Ok, thanks! Is that to say they're all in Denver and not anywhere else?

That's the sort of thing I could see being interested in at some point, but I don't think a move to Denver is in the cards for me.

Yes.

filler

TK guys&gals are supposed to give up a contractual & negotiated first class deadhead, to ride a jumpseat? That’s a tall ask if the dh is on a 737!

Haha! We should never be giving up DHs to ride jumpseats.