CFIinSanford
New Member
I received my CFII in October and have been invited back to STANDZ class in February. During the break, I decided to test out my certificates at a small FBO. The first three weeks were very slow, a couple of renter checkouts and a BFR. Since then, I have been very busy. In one week I signed up four primary students and did several Discovery flights that I am sure will produce a few more private students.
When I first decided to attend DCA, my commitment included working for the academy. This decision was based on information I received from my recruiter, which included; 80-100 hours per month of flight instruction given, an unlimited supply of students (direct quote), a great work environment, the best training offered in the industry (I do not disagree with this because I am very happy with my training), that I would reach the minimum time requirements for most regional carriers in a shorter time than at any other academy or FBO (less than a year), and that I would have a guaranteed interview with COMAIR and a recommendation from DCA.
However, since "leaving" the academy as a student, and hearing from many current, former, potential, not hired, and "washed out" instructors, I am hearing a very different view of DCA as an employer.
I've always known that I could make more money elsewhere and that I could probably work somewhere else and reach my goal eventually, but I always believed that the trade-off would be an "unlimited supply" of students and that I wouldn't find that at other schools (based on my recruiters "pitch").
What I am hearing is that the 80-100 hours of instruction a month is nowhere near the truth. 20-30 is more accurate. The work environment is very stressful, they sometimes fear for thier job, the hours are long and the rewards non-existent, the guaranteed interview sometimes doesn't come or happens several months after the contract is fulfilled,and so on.
I am getting down to the wire and need to make a decision. Do I take the DCA job and the sacrafices that go with it, or do I stay with the FBO and make more money, actually enjoy the work, and perhaps meet the minimum requirements for interviews in at least the same time period but possibly shorter?
I do not need anyone to make the decision for me, I am a big boy and will be responsible and accountable for my own choices. However, i am seeking advice and opinions from any current, former, potential, and never hired DCA employees and any other CFI's out there that have an opinion.
When I first decided to attend DCA, my commitment included working for the academy. This decision was based on information I received from my recruiter, which included; 80-100 hours per month of flight instruction given, an unlimited supply of students (direct quote), a great work environment, the best training offered in the industry (I do not disagree with this because I am very happy with my training), that I would reach the minimum time requirements for most regional carriers in a shorter time than at any other academy or FBO (less than a year), and that I would have a guaranteed interview with COMAIR and a recommendation from DCA.
However, since "leaving" the academy as a student, and hearing from many current, former, potential, not hired, and "washed out" instructors, I am hearing a very different view of DCA as an employer.
I've always known that I could make more money elsewhere and that I could probably work somewhere else and reach my goal eventually, but I always believed that the trade-off would be an "unlimited supply" of students and that I wouldn't find that at other schools (based on my recruiters "pitch").
What I am hearing is that the 80-100 hours of instruction a month is nowhere near the truth. 20-30 is more accurate. The work environment is very stressful, they sometimes fear for thier job, the hours are long and the rewards non-existent, the guaranteed interview sometimes doesn't come or happens several months after the contract is fulfilled,and so on.
I am getting down to the wire and need to make a decision. Do I take the DCA job and the sacrafices that go with it, or do I stay with the FBO and make more money, actually enjoy the work, and perhaps meet the minimum requirements for interviews in at least the same time period but possibly shorter?
I do not need anyone to make the decision for me, I am a big boy and will be responsible and accountable for my own choices. However, i am seeking advice and opinions from any current, former, potential, and never hired DCA employees and any other CFI's out there that have an opinion.
