It wasn't fair for me to lump ALL CFI experience together as it's very diverse. To clarify, I just don't value MY CFI time.
And that's understandable. I've met several CFIs that seem to have not enjoyed much of their time instructing and say they didn't learn much from it... I enjoyed my time immensely because I had challenging students (MEIs, ATPs, PVT ME, CFIIs) and it forced me to go above and beyond what I think your average "instruct to 1500 hours and move on" flight instructor deals with at one of the pilot mills. I taught in Skymasters, a Tecnam, and even got to hop in a Lockheed Electra. I also taught tail wheel in a MIcco and did some basic aerobatic training in a SuperD. So I had a wide array of great experiences with instructing.
it may not have been obvious, but my entire post was sarcastic.
If you see something, say something!
Yes...
I'm definitely not anti-CFI as I was one for 3 years. Where someone flies as a CFI can cause some negative transfer to single pilot IFR stuff. I taught in NE Ohio so actual IFR happened a lot. Many popular places to CFI and build time would allow for .3 actual IFR experience for the entire year.
For me, the survey job entailed being efficient and had an element of "having to go", so to speak. It was the managing and coordinating everything, by yourself, that was the most challenging. Particularly FBO personel that weren't all that enthusiastic to deal with a 172. Or getting into busy/restricted/prohibited airspace. If that doesn't build up your people and communication skills, I don't know what will. I'll never forget that first day. Fresh from being a hotshot UND and free-lance instructor, showing up in Daytona and being told, "you have an hour to leave for Pittsburgh. I want you there early enough to work the next day". Talk about being tossed out of "the bubble".
For me, the survey job entailed being efficient and had an element of "having to go", so to speak. It was the managing and coordinating everything, by yourself, that was the most challenging. Particularly FBO personel that weren't all that enthusiastic to deal with a 172. Or getting into busy/restricted/prohibited airspace. If that doesn't build up your people and communication skills, I don't know what will. I'll never forget that first day. Fresh from being a hotshot UND and free-lance instructor, showing up in Daytona and being told, "you have an hour to leave for Pittsburgh. I want you there early enough to work the next day". Talk about being tossed out of "the bubble".
Perfect primer for a part 91 corporate or 135 pax job, but it transferred to freight as well. I imagine, it'd be useful in 121. People skills also. You're not just working with strangers, you're LIVING with them for months at a time. Just like freight, survey was an additional and unique perspective outside of the norm. That's a GOOD thing to have. Whatever I guess..
I retract my statement about not valuing my CFI time. That too was another perspective and it taught me patience and acceptance. Which transferred well into being a training captain. One training captain I flew with didn't possess that skill, and to this day, I can't figure out why he wanted to do an arc to ILSs his way so damn bad.
Doubtful, aerial survey conjures up images of mowing the grass in perfect VFR. Yep, the weather is usually clear and a million on a survey day, but the course is 129 feet wide on both sides(ILS is 300 feet wide on each side at the threshold), the altitude is +/-50 feet. That's just the flying. Not to mention all the EXTENSIVE coordination required with ATC, the military, the police/secret service/FBI(SFRA for instance). I've seen first hand what poor "soft skills" do in that situation. You're not working...
Oh, and the 3000 mile cross countries, weather be damned, get there. Even if takes diverting several states/days. Too many other ADM/"CRM"(we weren't IN the same plane but there are still issues) scenarios to list.
I think a show would be just a bunch of behind the scenes interviews of guys expressing how much they HATE the other guy, hangovers, and partying.
I know nothing of the sort! I'm talking inter office drama, maintenance issues, plus the plethora of crews on the road... I think it would be cool. If not for mainstream tv there's a ton of talented photogs and videogs who work for us that could make an equivalent vid. I'm sure it would boost morale. Especially for the FNGs
Don't forget the stale, cold, day old coffee.
I'm pretty sure no one does that anymore. It's hilariously worthless time to. Locking you into that company forever because no one will count a bunch of your time towards a better job. ACE and Ryan hire some pretty low time guys as SIC's on CASAs and 1900s though. Penair has a couple of Saabs under 135.
