Where are my unemployed CFI’s at?
Posted by Individual-Elk-6759@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 26 comments
Unemployed now nice November. I did a little independent instruction about 150 hours dual and timebuilt to 825. No multi yet. 1 check failure. R-ATP eligible. How is everyone getting through this period both flying and emotionally? I’ve recently stopped flying two weeks ago. I also pushed my multi add on back to July to take a longer break from aviation. I’m thinking of just time building 20-30 hours a month just to stay proficient. I’m no longer planning on anything anymore nor looking for instruction jobs. Just going to do this for the foreseeable future. The market seems to be getting worse and there’s not way I’d get picked over 2,000 hour CFIs. What’s everyone else doing right now?
EezyBake@reddit
You should 100% stop looking for work and just time build for an indefinite amount of time until United is begging for you to join them. Probably the best plan I’ve ever heard
iPhones_cameras_suck@reddit
I cannot entirely tell if this is sarcasm or not
EezyBake@reddit
It is. I fully relate to the dread of looking for work in an oversaturated environment and being turned down daily, and I get that we're behind 2,000 CFI's in marketability, but I don't support a self defeatist attitude. If OP has a situation where he can time build to 825 and just "no longer plan on anything" and "just stay proficient" then they probably should. One day he'll have the hours but he won't have the attitude to be picked up by a regional or whatever
setthrustpositive@reddit
Have you looked into specific aircraft training like the Bonanza and Cirrus?
I specialized in PA32, C180, and certain experimentals for new owners.
Wandrews123@reddit
Still standing outside Micky D’s waiting for this DoorDash order. Serious. I need $30 more to hit my monthly target (even though it’s the AM, so technically it’s May now). And I didn’t even finish the CFI rating.
No_Chicken9659@reddit
Take a little break if you need it man but don’t stop applying. I am in a weird position right now as a 1500 hour former cfi who can’t get any leads for cfi or jet jobs. I am feeling discouraged too but gotta keep grinding it out cause things will turn around eventually.
Beautiful_Exchange_3@reddit
Offer instruction to private owners at nearby GA airports. Only one cfi at my airport does this, and he’s usually booked, charges $50/hr.
Brendon7358@reddit
Got a job before I even started applying, don’t even have a resume yet.
Went somewhere to work on CFII and they just really liked me. Goes to show how important connections are, and even more importantly blind luck
WhiteoutDota@reddit
Jeez, roughly 4 hours of driving a day?
One_Rip_5535@reddit
I had a job like that when I first started CFI. It was brutal for sure
Educational-Talk2644@reddit
Not me! I’m the chief flight instructor at Embry Diddle Seaplane Base University. I got 3000hr and am going to fly at place for the rest of life. I’m a real winner!
inline_five@reddit
I know you're being sarcastic but I left Riddle in 2003. There were some senior instructors who had 3000+ dual and were instructing in the 1900 sim who basically just gave up on leaving.
They were making more than commuter CAs were at the time and back then it looked really bleak as far as the career goes. Plus Daytona was a pretty low COL area back then.
At least the regionals are hiring still.
imapilotaz@reddit
Youre part of the lost generation too. Im a lil older and it was bad. My CFIs ranged from 1500 hrs to 3000 hrs. My CFI when i got my CFI was pushing 4k hours and FINALLY got a class date as i finished. This generation really doesnt understand how good they have it
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
Haha well that’s good. Glad you like it.
Educational-Talk2644@reddit
Jokes aside man! I’m sure everything is going to work out, just give it time. Aviation can be slow.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
Thank you. I hope so. Right now my aviation “career” is constipated. I need a Laxative and some prune juice 😬
Educational-Talk2644@reddit
If you want I can hire you on as diddle instructor at the seaplane base.
EliteEthos@reddit
The issue with “taking a break” or reducing your flying is that you’re creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Without multi and with super slow gains in hours, you’re not going to improve your marketability.
Look. I know the talk in here about regionals is doom and gloom but there are PLENTY of good jet jobs (again, you’ll need multi) that you can get with some leg work. The quality of your time would go up exponentially with something like that.
If you stop flying, you should have a backup career in the works.
Individual-Elk-6759@reddit (OP)
I’m thinking it may be 8 months to a year and beyond before I find a flying job. I know a lot of jet jobs require 1,300 hours and turbine time. I would do multi time building or MEI but for $14k and little to equal uncertainty I don’t think it’s a wise more. I feel that where I’m at, the best I can do is preform preventative maintenance, like a corvette on a trickle charger in the garage waiting for summer.
EliteEthos@reddit
I had a jet job at 360 hours. I don’t say that to brag. I say that to say that with the right qualifications, finding someone to give you a shot is a possibility. If you completely forego ME, nobody is going to give you a chance even if they want to.
You need to position yourself to actually get the jobs you want. This seems to be the opposite of that. I know it’s tough but the only way through hell is to keep going. If you stop while you’re there, you’ll simply stay there.
Not trying to be cliché but I’m CFI without a job too. Sometimes you need to get creative and find a path forward.
ForearmDeep@reddit
Been in your same spot. A friend of mine told me that aviation rewards the persistent, just keep at and try working any form of job just to keep the income.
I took an aviation related job a little while ago and honestly it’s been a great boost to my spirits. I’m paying out of pocket to build more useful time while I work a job that pays way better than instructing ever did, and because it’s aviation related I have a couple avenues to get back into flying for money when I do.
I think just making sure you don’t let the resume doesn’t get stagnant and the flight gaps don’t get too wide is the biggest thing you can do for yourself right now in these tougher market times
One_Rip_5535@reddit
Getting a degree in psychology with plans to get a masters in transportation planning lol
Bot_Marvin@reddit
A sure fire way to not get hired is to stop applying.
Cparker_11@reddit
In a similar position but about 200 hours behind you. Also R-ATP and teaching independently. It’s tough out here, but just got to stay positive and keep flying. Lots of newly certified CFI’s past few years who stopped flying due to hiring environment. I know it’s easy to get discouraged but I think eventually we’ll get rewarded for continuing to fly and staying proficient. I’ve thought about going back to my FBO job part time to try and network and land a lucky flying gig, but Im not sure yet. Also been applying for all regional cadet programs, but it’s super competitive right now. Just keep your head up!
Top-BrilliantOps@reddit
Basically hibernation. Still flying but just trying to stay positive. Our time will come
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Unemployed now nice November. I did a little independent instruction about 150 hours dual and timebuilt to 825. No multi yet. 1 check failure. R-ATP eligible. How is everyone getting through this period both flying and emotionally? I’ve recently stopped flying two weeks ago. I also pushed my multi add on back to July to take a longer break from aviation. I’m thinking of just time building 20-30 hours a month just to stay proficient. I’m no longer planning on anything anymore nor looking for instruction jobs. Just going to do this for the foreseeable future. The market seems to be getting worse and there’s not way I’d get picked over 2,000 hour CFIs. What’s everyone else doing right now?
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