Thoughts on flight school not letting me switch CFIs?
Posted by FigureSeveral9026@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 36 comments
Curious as I just had a meeting with my school about switching instructors, and they wouldn’t allow it. Their reasoning was essentially for “character building”, I didn’t pushback as I felt I didn’t really have a choice once they made their decision- In hindsight I probably should have protested harder.
But just curious if any of y’all have any experiences with a flight school doing this, and if this is just a huge red flag and I should continue training elsewhere.
My reason for the switch was excessive profanity during lessons and I just do not get along with the guy, pretty cut and dry.
Anyways it’s gonna be a really awkward lesson tomorrow..
SSMDive@reddit
If I could not change instructors, I’d change flight schools.
They work for you.
mtconnol@reddit
You wouldn’t accept an incorrect meal at a restaurant for $30 (if they brought you the wrong thing)….so why would you accept a shit sandwich you’re paying $300-$500 dollars for each flight?
You’re the customer. Take it elsewhere.
oh_helloghost@reddit
You’re being verbally abused by your instructor. Why are you paying them?
Demand a change or tell them you’ll take your business elsewhere.
CorporalCrash@reddit
Switch schools
Prof_Slappopotamus@reddit
Stop paying and go somewhere else.
ltcterry@reddit
This is silly. You are the customer. They are a service provider. It’s not military flight training - and I wouldn’t be surprised if a genuine personality clash got you a switch there.
I’d cancel the lesson. And investigate other options. And you have options.
ATrainDerailReturns@reddit
If you can’t switch CFIs tell them then you will be switching schools
TravelerMSY@reddit
I would switch. It’s usually cringe to tell your professor that you pay their salary or whatever, but in this case, I believe it is your only option.
Square_Ad8756@reddit
It shouldn’t be cringe worthy to tell someone that you demand a quality education. Teachers of all sort deserve more respect in our society but flight schools and higher education institutions need to understand that students are paying customers who deserve a quality product.
BrtFrkwr@reddit
Please name the school. Let others be pre-warned.
tallsmileswolf@reddit
Just asking the question... Are you reading, studying and/or practising on your own before your flight session?
FigureSeveral9026@reddit (OP)
Of course, my ground knowledge is solid- my flights just have not been clicking.
Accomplished_Beat418@reddit
Which elements of the flight? What parts are you missing? How does your CFI react when you miss them? How do you react to that?
keepitreasonable@reddit
Lame - switch schools!
320sim@reddit
I feel like a lot of schools forget that you are a high paying customer of the business
HateJobLoveManU@reddit
Really. And what do they care so much for anyways?
unbelver@reddit
The only remotely defensible excuse the school has is if all the other instructors are fully booked. But still, if it's that bad, you can just say "I can wait for another instructor's schedule to open up."
cptnpiccard@reddit
"You can change my instructors, or I can change my school. Your pick."
fallingfaster345@reddit
Wtf, you are the customer. Demand a new CFI if it’s not a good fit.
fungus909@reddit
Go to a new school.
If you’re stuck in a 141 with a loan. Start recording their misconduct so you have evidence for your lawyer.
Rush_1_1@reddit
Excessive profanity? I feel like that's a weak reason, but very bad chemistry is a good one.
FigureSeveral9026@reddit (OP)
Sorry could have provided more context. Most recent example, I was yelled and cursed at during an approach in hard IMC. Didn’t like that. It’s been a reoccurring issue as well
Rush_1_1@reddit
Ah okay yeah fair enough.
AeroTiu@reddit
I cant believe people still think it is acceptable to yell at students, what are you achieving with this attitude. Leave if you can or state to someone higher than him that you are not happy with this kind of behavior.
FigureSeveral9026@reddit (OP)
It’s so ridiculous because everyone at the school likes him, the head of the school didn’t even believe me that this was happening. I literally feel so gaslighted, I was starting to think this was behavior was normal
definedsam@reddit
Oof. Disregard what I said, that is ridiculous and extremely unprofessional. I figured you meant in just casual conversation. Yeesh.. If you really like the school itself you can insist on another instructor one more time, if you're met with the same response then LEAVE
happy_llama__@reddit
Yeah that sucks. It’s super different someone using profanity and someone cussing you out. That sucks.
VanDenBroeck@reddit
It’s your money. Spend it elsewhere.
pilot152026@reddit
I’d switch schools immediately
MultiMillionMiler@reddit
Switch schools, I'm currently thinking of doing the same thing, (not that my guy is bad just I think I might click better with a different guy at my school). A professional CFI should understand that. Anxiety/awkwardness will definitely interfere with training/retaining everything well from the lesson. You are the customer shelling out thousands of dollars, flight school's still getting paid, and if you do better with a better CFI and end up passing checkrides more frequently/sooner..etc. that reflects good on them.
definedsam@reddit
Yep just go to another part 61 and continue where you left off. The "excessive profanity" part is very silly though lol
EnthusiasmHuman6413@reddit
Leave
shrunkenhead041@reddit
If this is a Part 61 school and you haven't prepaid a bunch of money, you can easily vote with your feet. You are the customer. "Builds character" is bullshit, and an entirely unprofessional response.
japanfrog@reddit
What kind of program are you in? If a regular 61, just leave. There are plenty of schools that will gladly take your money. Also is this on a scholarship?
shadowalker125@reddit
your the customer, if they wont let you switch instructors (which is bullshit), then just switch schools.
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Curious as I just had a meeting with my school about switching instructors, and they wouldn’t allow it. Their reasoning was essentially for “character building”, I didn’t pushback as I felt I didn’t really have a choice once they made their decision- In hindsight I probably should have protested harder.
But just curious if any of y’all have any experiences with a flight school doing this, and if this is just a huge red flag and I should continue training elsewhere.
My reason for the switch was excessive profanity during lessons and I just do not get along with the guy, pretty cut and dry.
Anyways it’s gonna be a really awkward lesson tomorrow..
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