2000-3000 hr CFIs
Posted by livethedream03@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 29 comments
The ones who couldn’t land any better job after being a cfi for years, what’s your plan? What do you think you’re lacking and can potentially help you stand out?
Low-Age8594@reddit
If you have 2000-3000 hours and no job offer, maybe it’s a you problem
ItsReallyLebron@reddit
Lol
BeeDubba@reddit
Get more time. Get multi time. Get 135 time. Maybe get military time. Go to conferences. Volunteer. Network.
Gold-Weather_69@reddit
And they’re going to say “oh it’s your failures” blah blah blah
urfavoritemurse@reddit
Multi time. That’s my professional opinion after looking at this sub for the last 3 months. Also I have no idea what I’m talking about and am a lowly PPL(IR).
the_devils_advocates@reddit
Frankly, you seem more in touch than those who are looking for jobs 🤷♂️
Keep it up it will serve you well!
IMainMeg@reddit
I wouldn’t prioritize your opinion on what is in touch
FLyBoY_6@reddit
Everyone saying lack of multi time. I have 2k hours and 600 dual given in twins, all ATP requirements met, ATP-CTP course complete and still haven’t heard from anyone. I’ve been mainly applying at 135s cause we all know how the 121 hiring environment is. It’s brutal out here but just keep flying! The ones that truly have love for the game will get jobs while the rest wash out! My boss asks me everyday when my last day is, until he asks me to leave, ya boy is ripping 8 hour days.
EnthusiasmHuman6413@reddit
I salute you.
saml01@reddit
Not being ugly
dodexahedron@reddit
Oh fudge.
(Only I didnt say fudge. I said THE word. The big one. The queen-mother of dirty words. The F-dash-dash-dash word.)
fgflyer@reddit
PIC turbine time, especially multi, is the “king” of logbooks. However, a decent chunk of PIC multi time in general is strongly preferred and will make your resume stand out, even if it’s piston.
I can guarantee you those 2-3000 hour CFIs that don’t have any job offers either have very little multi time, or they don’t interview well.
dodexahedron@reddit
And there are a small but definitely not insignificant number who have no interest in becoming ATPs and don't make aviation their career in general, but just enjoy flight instructing as a side gig or for other reasons.
Not many people would choose to be career CFIs. At least not if working for someone else, and especially not at a part 61.
Owners are a different story though. That's viable if you are built for both teaching AND the business side of things. But even then, it is a wildly unstable source of income.
LycomingO235@reddit
I know many CFIs that have 2000+ hours that are still waiting that have 100+ multi hours. Some have CJOs but have been waiting for a class for 6+ months.
fgflyer@reddit
If that’s the case that is incredibly unfortunate… some companies, especially 91K/135 companies, from what I’ve heard, won’t even look at you unless you have 300 or more hours of multi time. It’s bad.
Low_Afternoon7514@reddit
I was a 2000 hour cfi. I took a job as an MEI where I got 760 multi engine hours instructing in a little over a year. There is a light at the end of the tunnel brothers. I’m currently about to start sim training at a regional. Advice, never give up.
Low_Afternoon7514@reddit
Not a cadet btw
LycomingO235@reddit
Being in a cadet program.
fortinbrass1993@reddit
How much of a difference does that make? Can you be in a cadet program if you go to 61 school instead of 141?
Are there cadet program that stood out more than others? Thanks!
LycomingO235@reddit
Being in a cadet program is a real advantage. The cadets I knew were getting class dates within a few months of hitting 1500 TT and were prioritized over OTS. They also didn’t seem to need the usual resume boosters (degrees, check airman roles, volunteer work).
Some of them had multiple check ride failures, and one had a deviation on their record, yet they still moved through the hiring process without much delay. On top of that, a few received bonuses for being in the program and didn’t have to pay out of pocket for ATP-CTP, which is easily a $3,500+ benefit.
I also get the sense that airlines may be leaning toward pilots from larger Part 141 program especially university-affiliated schools or places like ATP Flight School, though I don’t have data to support this claim.
Mach_v_manchild@reddit
Honestly answer; connections. You can be at the mins but if the right person walks your resume to the chief pilot personally, the odds increase dramatically.
Bowzy228@reddit
You gotta know somebody that knows somebody that knows somebody. AKA networking
Several-Village5814@reddit
Do these CFIs really exist
CluelessPilot1971@reddit
Aviation is a part-time job for me. I have my main non-aviation job, and I fly part-time part 135 single engine.
At about 1900 hours I decided to get my CFI, which I got at around 2,000 hours. There are no airlines in my future, it's not where I aspire to be and not realistic at my age anyway. Being a 2000-3000 CFI (and my other aviation gigs) are my happy place and my retirement gigs (assuming my medical is here to stay, which is a big assumption for anyone).
Ok_Witness179@reddit
I knew one. No multi or turbine time, and overly picky about what airline he wanted.
No-Cell-8208@reddit
When NK pilots hit the street it’ll be the norm.
Several-Village5814@reddit
NK has been going under for months now. I’ll believe it when I see it
flyingPhi129@reddit
Had an old student that I actually fired, just didn’t do what I asked. Never studied. Kind of a “no it all”. He’s one of these 2000+ hr guys. I know that he’s not getting picked up because the pilots he’s interviewing with don’t want to be next to him on a 3-4 day trip.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
The ones who couldn’t land any better job after being a cfi for years, what’s your plan? What do you think you’re lacking and can potentially help you stand out?
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