How long will the hiring boom last?

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Hey,

Without a doubt, I think that a person should get their CFI, CFII, MEI. This is a good backup to have as well as a good way to build your time. Some of my friends didn't want to do it and once they started teaching, they loved it. As far as if the trend will continue. Well, we are at 100% in our training department right now and they are looking for at least for two classes of 20 each month. They can't seem to get that many pilots. Most of the classes do vary in size from the mid teens to MAYBE in the 20's (if they're lucky).

Now, do I have my instructor's ticket? No, but someday I would like to. I'm one of those guys that everyone seems to bash here that did get hired on with the low time and the RJ course. (We are all not that bad as some people make us out to be :). It was a better option for me to get there quickly since I have a wife and two kids to support - well three soon. It also helped that I knew someone at the airline that I work for now.

Does that make me less of a pilot that I didn't get my instructor's ticket? I don't think so since I was able to get through the airline training and get my SIC type. I had the lowest time in my class but I have to say that two guys with the highest time (one had >1500 and the other over a 1000 hours) did not make it through the training. Some people could handle the strain that's involved in the whole airline training and some can't, regardless of time. I will not say that I'm a better pilot than those two individuals who didn't make it because I'm still learning and I know throughout my career that will be the case.

On a side note, I live in Montgomery county and did my private at Hortman. Good luck with everything.
 
ross9238 said:
Hey,

Without a doubt, I think that a person should get their CFI, CFII, MEI. This is a good backup to have as well as a good way to build your time. Some of my friends didn't want to do it and once they started teaching, they loved it. As far as if the trend will continue. Well, we are at 100% in our training department right now and they are looking for at least for two classes of 20 each month. They can't seem to get that many pilots. Most of the classes do vary in size from the mid teens to MAYBE in the 20's (if they're lucky).

Now, do I have my instructor's ticket? No, but someday I would like to. I'm one of those guys that everyone seems to bash here that did get hired on with the low time and the RJ course. (We are all not that bad as some people make us out to be :). It was a better option for me to get there quickly since I have a wife and two kids to support - well three soon. It also helped that I knew someone at the airline that I work for now.

Does that make me less of a pilot that I didn't get my instructor's ticket? I don't think so since I was able to get through the airline training and get my SIC type. I had the lowest time in my class but I have to say that two guys with the highest time (one had >1500 and the other over a 1000 hours) did not make it through the training. Some people could handle the strain that's involved in the whole airline training and some can't, regardless of time. I will not say that I'm a better pilot than those two individuals who didn't make it because I'm still learning and I know throughout my career that will be the case.

On a side note, I live in Montgomery county and did my private at Hortman. Good luck with everything.
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Where did you end up going after Hortman and who do you fly with now, if you don't mind me asking?
 
I've only flown with a couple of captains who were not (and never had been) CFIs. They weren't lacking because of it. If you have no desire to become a CFI - Don't! Being a CFI can be very rewarding (it was for me) but I had too many students transfer who had instructors who were just building time and did not instruct well.

As for the 'pilot shortage', even with a 'recession' I think we'll continue to see pilot hiring.
 
Matt13C said:
Some say to bypass getting my CFI, CFII and MEI in favor of just getting up to 500TT 50ME and get on with a regional. But if there is a downturn and the newbies get furloughed I am left with no way of making an income.
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Some people also recommend sleeping with hookers, smoking crack and all sorts of other really exciting things...

To skip the CFI stage of LEARNING to be a pilot would be a mistake..

What regional is hiring at 500 and 50?
 
Tram said:
Some people also recommend sleeping with hookers, smoking crack and all sorts of other really exciting things...

To skip the CFI stage of LEARNING to be a pilot would be a mistake..

What regional is hiring at 500 and 50?
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HA HA, well generally the people telling me to sleep with hookers and smoke crack are standing on a corner in rags. The people who have been saying to skip the CFI were people who themselves were pilots or CFI(I) and MEI's.

Comair and Express Jet both have 600TT/100ME as their mins. Mesa is 500/100, American Eagle is Accepting 400/50 but would prefer 500/100. ASA is 500/50 or lower if you have "jet training" and Republic if 500/50 from certain schools.
 
Matt13C said:
The people who have been saying to skip the CFI were people who themselves were pilots or CFI(I) and MEI's.
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For what it's worth..

I know a guy who was at an interview with a major..

Interview Panel - "You have a fairly impressive resume, however, we noticed you don't have a CFI.... Why not?"

Him - "Well, I didn't think teaching was really my nitch.. I felt I applied myself better as a pilot.."

Interview Panel - "So, you don't like to teach?"

Him - "No, not really.. I'm more of a doer than a teacher.."

Interview Panel - "Well, we like to think of our current Captains as instructors, teaching our FO's how to be Captain's one day... "

Him - "Oh.."

Interview Panel - "Yes.. Thank you for your time..."

Now, this is not verbatim, but that is the gist of the story...

Not saying this happens all the time, or often... buuut......
 
Matt, don't listen to all the naysayers that believe that you must get your CFI to be a competent pilot. Besides, the hiring is definitely slowing down. I'm trying to finish up my comm/inst/mel as quickly as possible and will be doing an RJ course to get on with a regional while they are still hiring. I don't want to be a CFI, I want to be an airline pilot.
 
I can see not doing the CFI and going straight to the airlines. But for the love of Pete I just can't see spending the same or more money on a "transition course" in an RJ to go to a regional airline.
 
Well, from my little experience, I fly much better after I start to instruct. :p I still have a lot to learn though.
 
I wouldn't say it's even about flying better or being a better pilot. It's straight up finances. Buy something that will give you a good ROI. A CFI ticket will do that. It gives you options. It gives you a backup in case you lose that sweet job making $20k. You're gambling with that transition course that you'll get hired and make it thru training. FWIW our washout rate is 30% and we have a great training program. If you don't pass, don't get hired, or get furloughed like some of these guys who paid ATP all that money and then went to XJT, you're FUBAR'd.
 
Proud Pilot said:
Matt, don't listen to all the naysayers that believe that you must get your CFI to be a competent pilot. Besides, the hiring is definitely slowing down. I'm trying to finish up my comm/inst/mel as quickly as possible and will be doing an RJ course to get on with a regional while they are still hiring. I don't want to be a CFI, I want to be an airline pilot.
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You are a private pilot with 25 hours so says your profile...With all due respect, why should anyone take advice from you????
 
MikeOH58 said:
You are a private pilot with 25 hours so says your profile...With all due respect, why should anyone take advice from you????
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With all due respect, what makes you an "expert" and what do you do in aviation? As usual, someones legitimacy is measured my the number of flight hours and not by their overall intelligence on the subject matter. You'd be surprised how much I do know even with my limited number of logged hours.
 
I really did not wan this to turn into a debate over what route is the best to getting to the airlines. Everyone knows there are multiple ways and what works for some may not for others.

What I really was curious about was what people currently employed as a pilot, be it regional, major, freight, charter or corporate see the industry doing in the next one to two years. Are there so many guys retiring from the majors that they will continue to siphon off captains from the regionals requiring the regionals to continue their hiring trend. Are you currently experiencing less crowded cabins which could result in less flights meaning possible furloughs in the future? Are the cabins more crowded now than ever before?

I am pretty certain I am going to CFI, for a little anyway, until I can get on with one of the regionals I want. I am not going to jump in with some company because they have the lowest mins, I am more about QOL. I also do not plan on taking a "CRJ course", I do not think they are wrong, I just do not think I need one. Not to be cocky but I think I can read the material provided by my employer prior to my ground school and do just fine. I would rather not pay for something the airline is going to teach me. Ill save my money and treat myself to a few steak dinners during my two years of poverty as a new FO.
 
Proud Pilot said:
As usual, someones legitimacy is measured by the number of flight hours and not by their overall intelligence on the subject matter.
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Umm.. Generally hours equate to experience..



Proud Pilot said:
You'd be surprised how much I do know even with my limited number of logged hours.
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You just demonstrated how much you - know - with this brilliant, wise beyond your years statement:

Proud Pilot said:
I'm trying to finish up my comm/inst/mel as quickly as possible and will be doing an RJ course to get on with a regional while they are still hiring.
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If you truly have 25 hours, please forgive me when I tell you this, but you don't have enough experience to know what you do and do not know...

25 hours.. Wow.. I think that's a new record low for a self proclaimed expert.. Anyone who would take career advice from you is a fool...
 
Matt13C said:
I am more about QOL. I also do not plan on taking a "CRJ course", I do not think they are wrong, I just do not think I need one. Not to be cocky but I think I can read the material provided by my employer prior to my ground school and do just fine. I would rather not pay for something the airline is going to teach me.
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Wow.. Good answer.. :)

Someone has taught you very, very well, young padawan learner!

I didn't want to CFI at all... I am soo glad I did.. I had a blast and learned a tremendous amount about myself and my abilities...
 
Tram said:
Wow.. Good answer.. :)

Someone has taught you very, very well, young padawan learner!

I didn't want to CFI at all... I am soo glad I did.. I had a blast and learned a tremendous amount about myself and my abilities...
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HA Thanks Master. Now don't I get Natalie Portman for being a good student?
 
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