Paying your dues???

killbilly said:
I don't think anyone said it was a shortcut, nor did anyone say instructing was the *only* way.

But there is a reason that instructing does check a lot of boxes, and he did ask for perspectives.

@Maximilian_Jenius - you gotta do what's gonna make *you* happy, man. Or, you and Jason, really. This is very much a decision you guys are going to make together. I hope you understand that sharing the ideas about instruction were meant to give you the perspective you asked for and not a browbeating. You've got some fixed obstacles that are putting some limits on your options, so it's a question of what you're willing to tolerate/afford.
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Obstacles are only as fixed as one allows them to be. :) :) :). If company wants you to have a significant other, they will issue you a significant other. Lol...
 
MikeD said:
Obstacles are only as fixed as one allows them to be. :) :) :). If company wants you to have a significant other, they will issue you a significant other. Lol...
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While I know you know what I meant, I would also submit that you've worked in jobs where you had the appropriate amount of ordinance to remove said obstacle....
 
killbilly said:
While I know you know what I meant, I would also submit that you've worked in jobs where you had the appropriate amount of ordinance to remove said obstacle....
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Your advice was very sound. I only took an opportunity to throw in a movie line where I could :) :)
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
Please, no! Do not force people who don’t want to be CFIs and have no interest in teaching to be CFIs and teachers. I’ve been on the receiving end of that, it isn’t pretty.



Mic drop. I bolded, italicized, and underlined it. That is the ultimate bottom line.
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NO PLEASE...re-read what I wrote.
 
MikeD said:
Your advice was very sound. I only took an opportunity to throw in a movie line where I could :) :)
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I am deeply ashamed that I didn't pick up on that. I am better than that....I still don't know what movie it was....
 
I know their CEO and their ops guys - both good businessmen who've stumbled upon something that works.

That being said, be sure to check out the pilot uniform before you commit :biggrin:
 
Out of curiosity, does anyone consider the relative risks of being a CFI versus right seat in an operation like this? Not thinking so much about safety as much as the number of Kathryn's Report stories I seem to read where a student does something so stupid and at such a level of commitment that the CFI can't act in time. I'd hate to have something like that derail my career.
 
Murdoughnut said:
Out of curiosity, does anyone consider the relative risks of being a CFI versus right seat in an operation like this? Not thinking so much about safety as much as the number of Kathryn's Report stories I seem to read where a student does something so stupid and at such a level of commitment that the CFI can't act in time. I'd hate to have something like that derail my career.
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At those levels of extremes, those are often fatal.

This is why a) CFI insurance is expensive and b) I can't get ANY life insurance that covers CFI activities.
 
Murdoughnut said:
Out of curiosity, does anyone consider the relative risks of being a CFI versus right seat in an operation like this? Not thinking so much about safety as much as the number of Kathryn's Report stories I seem to read where a student does something so stupid and at such a level of commitment that the CFI can't act in time. I'd hate to have something like that derail my career.
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Hah. Wait until you have to teach your kids to drive.

And yes... it's a risk, but a) an instructor with experience will know exactly how far they can let something degrade before having to step in and save the day, b) there are a pretty limited number of things that a student can do that will not be recoverable from, and c) the FAA (and companies doing hiring) have been relatively forgiving of minor bent metal transgressions accumulated during the process of flight instructing if everything else is in order.
 
@Maximilian_Jenius Boutique Air opened their window today for guys at 500 hours. I still feel that guys who go right in to an airline type environment miss out on a lot of PIC (the mentality, not the logbook type) experience, but totally understand that it might not work for you right now. $24/hr with an 80 hour guarantee (and pay for training) is a hell of a lot better than what you were talking about before with SAE.

Boutique Air - Jobs Page

www.boutiqueair.com www.boutiqueair.com
 
Murdoughnut said:
Out of curiosity, does anyone consider the relative risks of being a CFI versus right seat in an operation like this? Not thinking so much about safety as much as the number of Kathryn's Report stories I seem to read where a student does something so stupid and at such a level of commitment that the CFI can't act in time. I'd hate to have something like that derail my career.
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That is certainly something to take inconsideration, but I don’t see that as a risk
 
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Old Pete said:
cake compared to the stuff Boris and his ilk did
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It's worth noting, here, that we didn't have a clue what we were doing. I sure as poop didn't. The value of experience (by which I mean being scared you're going to die) *definitely* isn't (at least for me) in making you less immediately clueless, but it does have a way of habituating you to the fog and tunnel vision. Like, they don't disappear, but you can sort of prioritize them out of the way. For me, being a CFI was my first exposure to things going wrong in a way that wasn't scripted or, you know, pretend. What was I talking about? I dunno, I think being a CFI is cool? *wanders off muttering*
 
I am looking into Boutique Air as it is a way better option than $12/hr. Unfortunately I am a little light on the TT requirement.
 
SAE and Air choice one were still offering those poverty wages during the boom of 2019. It’s not a recent development.
 
Thanks to everyone that replied in this thread. Ask a question, get an answer. But be prepared for the answers that you might receive, even if they're not always what you want to hear. Its always been my MO. I appreciate all the candid and frank post about charting a successful plan and knowing your worth. I've honestly been kind of schizophrenic/bipolar about my path to get to my ultimate destination and needed guidance.

This place is a valued source of experience from valued friendships and mentorships. Its still a bit early, but I'm considering all of my moves in advance to be ready to make the right moves this year when able. Instructing isn't high up on my list, but its still, on the list and if the planets align and I can make it happen and work well for my situation, I'll do it. I'll be applying at some of the places suggested to me in this thread, and I hope to have some news to reports as soon as I hear it. Thanks again all.
 
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BobDDuck said:
@Maximilian_Jenius Boutique Air opened their window today for guys at 500 hours. I still feel that guys who go right in to an airline type environment miss out on a lot of PIC (the mentality, not the logbook type) experience, but totally understand that it might not work for you right now. $24/hr with an 80 hour guarantee (and pay for training) is a hell of a lot better than what you were talking about before with SAE.

Boutique Air - Jobs Page

www.boutiqueair.com www.boutiqueair.com
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Indirect relative of mine worked there. Last year they had issues with not getting pay checks on time, safety stuff, etc. Maybe it has turned around since then, but at the time it was a run, don't walk away job.

@Maximilian_Jenius E-mail that company I've talked with you about before. With regionals starting to hire, maybe their pilots have moved on.
 
Maximilian_Jenius said:
Thanks to everyone that replies in this thread. Ask a question, get an answer. But be prepared for the answers that you might receive, even if they're not always what you want to hear. Is always been my MO. I appreciate all the candid and frank post about charting a successful plan and knowing your worth. I've honestly been kind of schizophrenic/bipolar about my path to get to my ultimate destination and needed guidance.

This place is a valued source of experience from valued friendships and mentorships. Its still a bit early, but I'm considering all of my moves in advance to be ready to make the right moves this year when able. Instructing isn't high up on my list, but its still, on the list and if the planets align and I can make it happen and work well for my situation, I'll do it. I'll be applying at some of the places suggested to me in this thread, and I hope to have some news to reports as soon as I hear it. Thanks again all.
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I know you're looking at this real hard because you're an adult and have to make adult decisions, which is responsible and not just being a 22 year old recent 141 grad with 250 hours "can I haz 737 job now?" Having that life experience is good, and based on the stories you've told here - you'll have no problem in an interview with the TMAAT questions. Boutique, Cape, or cooking meth would be a better option than $12 in a Caravan.

Being low time, networking will be essential to landing anything other than an instructing position. If networking does not pan out initially, you'll have to look at some way to build time. Banner towing, survey, ferry flying.... Beating a dead horse here, but instructing is absolutely the best way to build quality time and experience. You'll be studying regs daily, CRM, ADM, flying with students you can't bid avoid (essential skill later on in a crew environment). Just about every where with good VFR weather is booming with flight training. SoCal, AZ, FL....

Good luck, and don't meow on guard.
 
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