300TT CFII in Florida and still can’t get a CFI job
Posted by Comfortable_Ideal322@reddit | flying | View on Reddit | 20 comments
Hi, yall!
I got my CFII and graduated in 4 yr college in december and have been applying pretty much everywhere since then. Luckily I was able to get a part time ground instructor job, conducting online Zoom ground meetings, but it's not gonna transition into a full time flight instructor. Got around 300 hours total time (no dual), willing to relocate, and I’ve applied not just in Florida but also Alaska, Hawaii, and smaller schools around the country. So far I haven’t even gotten an interview.
As an international student on OPT, my biggest limitation is that I can only work in aviation-related roles directly tied to my training, so I can’t just take another type of job to wait it out. That makes the timeline pressure feel a lot more real while I keep applying.
At this point I’m trying to figure out if the market is just that bad right now for low-time CFIs or if I’m doing something wrong. Most of my applications have been online/email which is around 100+ schools. I’ve also driven and visited multiple flight schools within about a 2-hour radius in person, trying to introduce myself and hand in resumes directly, but still no luck so far.
For instructors who recently got hired with low time:
- How did you actually get your first job?
- Did networking/walk-ins matter more than online applications?
- how did you network?
- Is the market significantly worse than previous years?
Just trying to get a realistic picture of where things stand right now.
Right-Suggestion-667@reddit
It’s likely the OPT visa… not many places outside of like embry-riddle hire those and even then word on the street is in Prescott they don’t wanna hire international students any more and prioritize Americans.
ReadyplayerParzival1@reddit
Prescott isn’t hiring much of anyone rn. They gutted the cfi contract.
Historical-Baby-1364@reddit
300 tt and no dual - and you expect to get a job? The entitlement of it all. Lol. You barely have a qualification.
KBC@reddit
Did you get your ATP in 2021-2023 by chance?
Greedy_Camera_433@reddit
The answer is probably yes. Those are the people that like to pull the ladder out from under them
KBC@reddit
Those are the people that need to talk very nicely on here. Any career/training advice from them is invalid.
noamgboi1@reddit
Unless these fuel prices go back to low, hiring will be bad. Jet fuels are insanely expensive
inline_five@reddit
Lots of people saw the get rich quick youtube videos and jumped on it. People who got into flying in the late 2010s won the lottery. If you got into it when the person bagging your groceries was talking about how easy it is to make 300k as a pilot, you missed the wave.
I graduated in 2003 and only got hired at all the places I CFI'd at (three) because I knew someone there. At least when I was done, in 2005, the regionals were hiring anyone. But pay was $20/hr. Pick your poison.
DefundTheHOA_@reddit
The job market is bad enough for US Citizens and Green Card holders.
Realistically they will probably not hire you unless you get a green card.
ambeingheldhostage@reddit
I feel like the general job market is bad, not just CFIs. I have a 4 year degree from 2022 and ive been hearing non stop the past 4 years across all industries, levels of degrees, and states from other graduating students that the job market id tough.
cptnpiccard@reddit
Could you please describe what you define as "applying"? Because if that entails sending an email with a PDF, I got bad news for you...
BeefyMcPissflaps@reddit
I'll tell you as a chief pilot who gets a half dozen or more applications a week... it's hard right now. Not that you didn't know that, but you don't stand out at 300 hours and a wet CFI. Unfortunately you need to stand out to get a CFI job right now. We've been through this before because this market is crazy cyclical. 2 years ago you could fart a resume on a desk and get a jet job. What a difference 2 years makes. Keep after it. Do something that make you stand out. Or network. The last 4 CFI's I've hired have either done their CFI with me or been part of our flight school throughout their training. Neither of those things are requirements, but it allows me to know who they are, how they teach, integrity, safety, etc before I ever sit down with them.
iridesc3nce@reddit
Sage advice BeefyMcPissflaps.
BeefyMcPissflaps@reddit
This name will follow me around forever. It’s so old at this point.
Worried-Ebb-1699@reddit
You mention 3 regions- Florida, Alaska, Hawaii. I would encourage you to really expand your horizons and explore all markets. The market is saturated with cfi’s and schools have the benefit of choice vs necessity.
Have you considered flying back in your home land?
When you show up are you dressed for business or casual?
Are you going to free conventions like FAPA, or considering paid conferences?
Do keep in mind the market is not only flooded with cfi’s but also ~1,800 or so spirit pilots.
Comfortable_Ideal322@reddit (OP)
Thank you for your comment!
I meant even Alaska and Hawaii! I have sent out resume to diverse states
Most of the airlines back in my homeland requires 1000 tt. So making 1000 hours was my main goal before going back
Suit or at least polo/collared shirt with slacks
I haven’t heard that kind of conventions. Will def look into it!
Bowzy228@reddit
A quick google search will tell you the CFI/low time pilot job market has been pretty much non existent the last 2 years. There an oversupply of applicants and hiring has slowed wayyy down.
My old flight school still has CFIs who reached their ATP mins over a year ago that are still instructing. The school next door to it has hired a new CFI in two years.
Mrs_Fagina@reddit
It’s Bad. Real Bad.
And it’ll be Bad for a while, followed by a period of Bad.
Electrical_Bear1514@reddit
networking and walk ins mattered more for me, online apps were a black hole. hang around the airport, do intros, go to safety seminars, make friends with instructors. also yea, market is insanely crap rn
rFlyingTower@reddit
This is a copy of the original post body for posterity:
Hi, yall!
I got my CFII and graduated in 4 yr college in december and have been applying pretty much everywhere since then. Luckily I was able to get a part time ground instructor job, conducting online Zoom ground meetings, but it's not gonna transition into a full time flight instructor. Got around 300 hours total time (no dual), willing to relocate, and I’ve applied not just in Florida but also Alaska, Hawaii, and smaller schools around the country. So far I haven’t even gotten an interview.
As an international student on OPT, my biggest limitation is that I can only work in aviation-related roles directly tied to my training, so I can’t just take another type of job to wait it out. That makes the timeline pressure feel a lot more real while I keep applying.
At this point I’m trying to figure out if the market is just that bad right now for low-time CFIs or if I’m doing something wrong. Most of my applications have been online/email which is around 100+ schools. I’ve also driven and visited multiple flight schools within about a 2-hour radius in person, trying to introduce myself and hand in resumes directly, but still no luck so far.
For instructors who recently got hired with low time:
Just trying to get a realistic picture of where things stand right now.
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