Instructing @ specific location & loan ?'s

[maschmi2]

Hey everyone,

I've tried searching for answers to my own question with no avail. If these are repetitive questions and you can direct me to the answer, please do so. I'm sure I could easily call and get answers, but I've been overseas for a while now and will be for a bit longer.

Assuming one gets hired as an instructor after training, what is the chance of receiving a specified location? I have family right near the Manassas location. If there are other instructors with open availability that have been waiting longer than I have for a location, and a position opens up in Manassas, will they have priority because they've been waiting the longest and are willing to go anywhere? Or, will I get priority for having requested that specific location? If not, I could be waiting for a very long time, and might as well pay less and spend a couple years in Fort Pierce. I mean, the only reason I'd pay more is to be near home.

My last question has to do with the loan. First, what is the difference between the Key Loan and the Sallie Mae loan? From the website, I don't really see a difference. Lastly, say after flight school I decide to go back and get my masters degree, will the loan payment be deferred while I'm in school?

OK, I think that's all I got everyone. I hope someone has the energy to help me out!

Thanks!

[BobDDuck]

Ah... the famous "will I be able to instruct where ever question". In short, yes you will be able to instruct where you want. However, it could be an very long time getting there. Early on in your new hire class you will be able to choose where you want to go (generally people make several choices). Like everything else aviation related it is based off of seniority by hire class and then age. So, if there are 8 people in your class and you are the oldest then everything (for the most part) is just peachy. However, if you are younger then it may not be so good. Also, keep in mind, there may be people already in the office that want the location you want and they will get preference for it (even if it may not be there first choice but they DO have it listed as a possibility). Likewise people that put down "anything with housing" will generaly get preference over somebody junior to them even if that person specificly asked for that location. Also, instructors already in the field sometimes move around and they are senior to the new hires as well. Something else to keep in mind is the rate of replacement may not be all that fast. There are 3 (I think) instructors at KHEF right now. Until they get really busy there or one of those instructors moves on they won't be adding anybody. So if two days before you get into the office somebody goes out there as a replacment it may be a while before somebody else leaves. Heavy stuff.

As to the loans.... I believe that Key Bank has slightly higher qualification standards and a lower interest rate, although I may have that backwards.

Ethan