pscraig
Well-Known Member
I'm at a flight school now, one that has ceased hiring instructors for now so it looks like I will be looking for a job at FBOs when I finish. I have also considered changing to another flight school, one that is less expensive, offers more multi time at a faster pace, but hires a fair number of its graduates. In all cases, my expectation is to find and instruct at an FBO at home-anything better is a bonus. My main question, to those who can answer from experience, is this: If I am a newly minted CFI, and I walk into the chief pilot's office looking for a job, how much will it really matter that I went to a large, well-known academy-type school versus a smaller, less formal Part 61 school? It would seem that this would have the most impact at the beginning of my career, as later jobs will depend on my experience, not where I went to school. I've been to a fair number of places that know what flight school I am attending, and most of the chief pilots I have met give me a business card, a handshake, and suggest I call them when I am done. Am I getting the warm reception because of the uniform I wear and the "known quantity" training it represents, because of my personality and professionalism, or are there other factors? Being in this environment it is difficult to get a perspective from the outside.
I've read through probably hundreds of posts here on Jetcareers and other boards, and have seen both sides: "the airlines like to see a structured training program", and the opposite position that "it does not matter, ratings and time are more important," to the pragmatic "right place, right time, right ratings, right attitude." Is ACA or AirNet or Jones Charter Service really going to care where I went to flight school?
Some of the larger schools, along with some of their students and instructors, maintain that a good flight school adds "resume impact." I'm just trying to judge what that is worth in today's aviation economy where competition for a CFI job can be formidible.
Thanks guys....
I've read through probably hundreds of posts here on Jetcareers and other boards, and have seen both sides: "the airlines like to see a structured training program", and the opposite position that "it does not matter, ratings and time are more important," to the pragmatic "right place, right time, right ratings, right attitude." Is ACA or AirNet or Jones Charter Service really going to care where I went to flight school?
Some of the larger schools, along with some of their students and instructors, maintain that a good flight school adds "resume impact." I'm just trying to judge what that is worth in today's aviation economy where competition for a CFI job can be formidible.
Thanks guys....