Paying for a job checkride?

Cyper42

Cyper42

Well-Known Member
Hello all.

I applied for a CFI position yesterday and at the end was told that I'd have to pay for some dual time with their Chief CFI to prove " wasn't going to kill their students". Now I expected a checkout, but paying for it surprised me.

I'm about as green as you can get, I've held a CFI less than two weeks and I've got 0 dual given. So is this normal? Or are they trying to scare me off because of my lack of experience?

any input would be helpful.
 
Cyper42 said:
Hello all.

I applied for a CFI position yesterday and at the end was told that I'd have to pay for some dual time with their Chief CFI to prove " wasn't going to kill their students". Now I expected a checkout, but paying for it surprised me.

I'm about as green as you can get, I've held a CFI less than two weeks and I've got 0 dual given. So is this normal? Or are they trying to scare me off because of my lack of experience?

any input would be helpful.
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An interview/evaluation flight seems to be part of the cost of doing business to me...
 
desertdog71 said:
In who's messed up world? Unless you mean the employERs cost of business.

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Yeah that's what I meant. That there's even a question about this shows how much of a messed up industry aviation is...I can just imagine how treating applicants/employees this way would go over in any other industry but aviation: "Thank you for your interest in interviewing at xxx. We charge a non refundable $300 fee for our time during your interview. Also, your compensation will be less than 20k per year and you can expect to work all weekends and most holidays. There are hundreds of applicants for your position, so to screen applicants we require you to pay a fee to enter our hiring pool."
 
^^^ all of the above. This is not normal or accepted as far as I'm concerned..if they are interested in you as an employee, regardless of job type, they front the cost.
 
pwttogfk said:
Yeah that's what I meant. That there's even a question about this shows how much of a messed up industry aviation is...I can just imagine how treating applicants/employees this way would go over in any other industry but aviation: "Thank you for your interest in interviewing at xxx. We charge a non refundable $300 fee for our time during your interview. Also, your compensation will be less than 20k per year and you can expect to work all weekends and most holidays. There are hundreds of applicants for your position, so to screen applicants we require you to pay a fee to enter our hiring pool."
Click to expand...

Hmm ... sounds a lot like AirlineApps.com.
 
Cyper42 said:
So is this normal? Or are they trying to scare me off because of my lack of experience?
Click to expand...

I'd say that the answer to both is no.

Of course, like so many things in life, it really boils down to supply and demand. If they can get a CFI to do that, then they will. If they are desperate for a CFI, they not only won't do that, they'll take you out to dinner afterwards and give you a gift certificate for the gasoline you used driving over to see them. You in turn just need to evaluate how much you want to work there and what other options are available to you.
 
They are trying to take advantage of you.

I'd tell them that you asked a couple of close friends who were CFIs who told you this is not normal. And just to be sure you called a couple schools around the area. And apparently it isn't the norm... So then ask them, "what gives"?

My school pays for all 141 check rides, gives new hires a couple of hours if they need it to feel comfortable in a new aircraft, and even gives good discounts for those who wish to pursue an MEI in our multi. And we get good discounts for renting company aircraft. And I don't think we're anything stellar. Just fair and realistic.

This place sounds like they are trying to take advantage of a new guy who might not know better.
 
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