You never see instructors leave to go elsewhere. When they move on, it's *always* to something bigger and better. We always have bigwigs from different airlines/frax/corporate departments coming through to look at our program. They often hire a few guys on the spot as well.
I had the opportunity last week to talk with the Director of Ops for NetJets Intl. His seniority number is 48 (out of 4500 or so!) He gave me his business card. I don't have anywhere near the mins, but wow, what a networking opportunity!
A few weeks before that, we had a hiring captain, an FO, and a HR rep come visit from ASA. The captain had a meeting with everyone, talked about what line flying is like, what ASA is looking for, what she looks for when she interviews applicants. She then interviewed 10 the next day and offered jobs to 6 of them.
You simply cannot get these type of opportunities at mom & pop FBO (I love M&P fbo's btw) or many other "academy" type schools.
FSI is going to be all over my resume`. I am fully confident that will help me get noticed. Our school has a premiere rep because it offers outstanding training and holds us to high standards. Reputations aren't bought, they are earned. Employers know what it means to be FSI-trained.
All the "extras" (spin/upset recovery, spatial disorientation, CRM, incredible maintenance, a/c availability, BEING TREATED WITH RESPECT AND LIKE A CUSTOMER, incredibly experienced academic instructors, highly trained flight instructors that are STAN'd, great leadership and management, positive friendly atmosphere, corporate culture of professionalism, being owned by Berkshire Hathaway [Warren Buffet is a personal hero of mine], having the best VA representative *anywhere*, having great student advisors, having "The Hawk" around to make you laugh, etc etc etc etc) certainly do add up to a great place to learn and grow as a pilot. Accurate price quotes and student-friendly policies make you feel like an individual and not an account number.
So really, the question is, WHY NOT FlightSafety?
Chunk <---lucky enough to have one of the best instructors at THE best school. Yeah, I'm biased, but I have reason to be.