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jrh · August 7th, 2007, 04:15

I *love* what is happening these days. Seriously!

With this so-called pilot shortage going on, it's tough for any school to find or retain experienced CFIs. It's fantastic that we're able to laugh at $16/hour as supposed "high pay" nowadays, because a few years ago, that actually would have been competitive.

I see these days as the time for CFIs across the industry to say, "Ummm...thanks, but no thanks," to offers like these. There is no reason a decent CFI should have to work for less than $25/hour anymore. What is the client/flight school going to do? Look for another CFI instead? Ok...go ahead and try--there simply aren't many CFIs out there to pick from.

It feels great to be a valued commodity, rather than just another guy with ten guys in line behind me, ready to take my place if I leave. A few years ago I would have worked for $16/hour not because it's fair, but because I'd know if I turned it down somebody else would have taken it, and I couldn't do better anywhere else. Now the tables have turned. I *could* do better elsewhere, and there *aren't* guys lining up for that sort of pay anymore.

We (CFIs) have a lot of schools over a barrel right now. There's no reason not to take advantage of it and require higher pay. And I'm not even talking about being greedy, or trying to screw over flight schools for no reason. I'm talking about raising our pay to where it should have been all along, but could never be reached because of market forces until now. We can finally make an "above poverty line" living doing this stuff. This is an exciting time for pro CFIs!

August 7th, 2007, 04:15	#4
jrh Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: USA Posts: 1,769	Re: Wow! (OK, a little sarcastic) I love what is happening these days. Seriously! With this so-called pilot shortage going on, it's tough for any school to find or retain experienced CFIs. It's fantastic that we're able to laugh at $16/hour as supposed "high pay" nowadays, because a few years ago, that actually would have been competitive. I see these days as the time for CFIs across the industry to say, "Ummm...thanks, but no thanks," to offers like these. There is no reason a decent CFI should have to work for less than $25/hour anymore. What is the client/flight school going to do? Look for another CFI instead? Ok...go ahead and try--there simply aren't many CFIs out there to pick from. It feels great to be a valued commodity, rather than just another guy with ten guys in line behind me, ready to take my place if I leave. A few years ago I would have worked for $16/hour not because it's fair, but because I'd know if I turned it down somebody else would have taken it, and I couldn't do better anywhere else. Now the tables have turned. I could do better elsewhere, and there aren't guys lining up for that sort of pay anymore. We (CFIs) have a lot of schools over a barrel right now. There's no reason not to take advantage of it and require higher pay. And I'm not even talking about being greedy, or trying to screw over flight schools for no reason. I'm talking about raising our pay to where it should have been all along, but could never be reached because of market forces until now. We can finally make an "above poverty line" living doing this stuff. This is an exciting time for pro CFIs!