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LouieP · April 11th, 2006, 20:37

Sounds like a tough decision but for me (currently CFI'in) it seems like the grass is always greener on the other side. There are going to be pros and cons on both sides. If I was a student at ATP and had the chance to work there as a CFI I would take it in a heart beat. I say that because I'm on the other side of the coin teaching for an FBO with a 141 program, all single engine. Up here in Upstate NY multi time is damn near impossible to get unless you go out and pay for it. Although ATP might not pay much for their instructors the multi time is priceless. Up here in the Northeast you can split time to build your multi up for around $8k. It might be tough to tackle that on CFI pay or for some people its just another loan on top of the ones they already have from school or coming up through their ratings. As for the pay while teaching, don't let that make your decision because as a CFI you really aren't going to make a substantial amount of money anyway. For most of us we are there to build experience to move on (while still making a 100% effort) and in most cases after a year of teaching full time the pay won't really matter as much. Another plus for you regarding ATP is you came up through your ratings there and you know how they operate. This will most likely make your life easier and a more effective teacher at first. In my honest opinion, if you take the FBO job, don't go in there with the mindsight that you might be able to bail at 600 hours if you do the RJ program or something similar to it. When I first started teaching thats what I had in mind. But you get to 600 so fast that when it comes you feel like making the push to 1000+ will open up many more doors for you. Besides who knows what will really happen with future hiring. Sorry for being so long winded here.... but good luck in your decision making, its a tough one. And CONGRATS on becoming a CFI. The best thing about being a CFI is the respect that goes with it. Enjoy it.

April 11th, 2006, 20:37	#2
LouieP Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 112	Sounds like a tough decision but for me (currently CFI'in) it seems like the grass is always greener on the other side. There are going to be pros and cons on both sides. If I was a student at ATP and had the chance to work there as a CFI I would take it in a heart beat. I say that because I'm on the other side of the coin teaching for an FBO with a 141 program, all single engine. Up here in Upstate NY multi time is damn near impossible to get unless you go out and pay for it. Although ATP might not pay much for their instructors the multi time is priceless. Up here in the Northeast you can split time to build your multi up for around $8k. It might be tough to tackle that on CFI pay or for some people its just another loan on top of the ones they already have from school or coming up through their ratings. As for the pay while teaching, don't let that make your decision because as a CFI you really aren't going to make a substantial amount of money anyway. For most of us we are there to build experience to move on (while still making a 100% effort) and in most cases after a year of teaching full time the pay won't really matter as much. Another plus for you regarding ATP is you came up through your ratings there and you know how they operate. This will most likely make your life easier and a more effective teacher at first. In my honest opinion, if you take the FBO job, don't go in there with the mindsight that you might be able to bail at 600 hours if you do the RJ program or something similar to it. When I first started teaching thats what I had in mind. But you get to 600 so fast that when it comes you feel like making the push to 1000+ will open up many more doors for you. Besides who knows what will really happen with future hiring. Sorry for being so long winded here.... but good luck in your decision making, its a tough one. And CONGRATS on becoming a CFI. The best thing about being a CFI is the respect that goes with it. Enjoy it.