How long should I hold out?

jtrain609 · September 3rd, 2005, 23:13

Heya everyone,

So I've got all the instructor certificates done and now I'm pretty much sitting on my bum with them. There are not a ton of flight instructor oppertunities that fit with my schedule (I'm in my last semester at the university) on this side of the state, so I'm going to go out this coming week and start papering the town with flyers and business cards trying to drum up some freelance work, but I'm honestly not expecting much to come out of it.

I've decided I'm alright with pretty much sitting on my ratings until December when I graduate, I can handle that, but when is the point that I should start freaking out because I'm not instructing? I'm going to make sure I fly enough to stay current, but where is the point where I should just move where ever I can in the country to find a job? We're going out job hunting in Utah this coming weekend, but if nothing comes up there when should I be really worried that I'm not instructing?

BTW I guess I'm looking at this from the perspective of an employer. What will they think when they see I got my certificates 8 months ago and I still don't have a job instructing?

Thanks for your input!

John Herreshoff

GaTechKid · September 4th, 2005, 01:14

[ QUOTE ]
What will they think when they see I got my certificates 8 months ago and I still don't have a job instructing?

[/ QUOTE ]

It wasn't an issue when I was hired part-time at a local flight school and I doubt you'll find any issue with it. Perhaps the employer would ask you what you've been doing in the meantime.

[ QUOTE ]
when is the point that I should start freaking out because I'm not instructing? I'm going to make sure I fly enough to stay current, but where is the point where I should just move where ever I can in the country to find a job?

[/ QUOTE ]
I'd base how long you're willing to wait in Utah for an instructing position on what the flight schools tell you. If it's not looking like something will open up soon then I'd expand your search and start building your time. That's my general, vague, and probably wrong advice.

Kingairer · September 4th, 2005, 19:21

have you tried at the only place in town? Theres gotta be somwhere else you can CFI and still finish school right?

kellwolf · September 4th, 2005, 23:57

Ask Ryan how long it took between when he got his CFI ratings and when he landed a job. I think it was something like 6 to 8 months. We were talking about that the other day. I don't think it would be that big a deal to an employer to see that you had that much time b/w ratings and job, especially if you're a full time student, as long as you stay current with flying.

BTW, I discovered today I can't land worth crap from the left seat anymore. At least the Mooney has a little spring in the struts.

ryanmickG · September 5th, 2005, 00:49

Hey John.

Send me a resey i'll give it to the chief pilot maybe he'll call for a interview. HAHAHAHAHAHAH (Walter laugh) J/K

Ya, it took 8 months for Skymates to call me but I am glad I waited for them. I could be working at Katie Hawk right now.

Late

seagull · September 5th, 2005, 10:07

Never more than three dates. Oh, sorry, wrong topic!

Ralgha · September 5th, 2005, 14:22

I waited almost two years before I started really using my CFI certificates. Nobody batted an eye. People worry too much about hours in this industry.

kellwolf · September 5th, 2005, 17:48

[ QUOTE ]
Ya, it took 8 months for Skymates to call me but I am glad I waited for them. I could be working at Katie Hawk right now.

[/ QUOTE ]

And you MIGHT have enough hours to get put on the insurance for the Seneca by now.....

jtrain609 · September 5th, 2005, 23:47

Thanks for the speedy replies ya'll.

I was getting worried that if I didn't use my certificates right away I'd be unemployable after a little while. Right now me and Emily want to move to Utah and stick around there, and it looks like if I can't find a job there this winter I'm going to try to find a job as a lift operator or something at a ski resort over the winter and hold out until the spring, or nothing turns up and we have to move to some other part of the country. I'm just not too interested in bailing on Emily to chase down a flight instructor job unless I absolutly have to, and it sounds like I have a lot more wiggle room than I thought.

kellwolf · September 6th, 2005, 01:30

Come on, man. Join the long distance relationship club. Having a wife (and in my case kid) in another state just makes for more interesting cell phone bills....

KLB · September 6th, 2005, 20:01

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the speedy replies ya'll.

[/ QUOTE ]

Y'ALL?

You were in Texas way to long.

j/k You will be fine dude. I didn't get hired until six months after I got my initial CFI. Of course I didn't have my CMEL CFII or MEI, but I survived. If you can't find anything in Utah....I don't have to tell you what you already know.

kellwolf · September 6th, 2005, 21:20

[ QUOTE ]
If you can't find anything in Utah....I don't have to tell you what you already know.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, he isn't coming here. He's already said the "culture gap" is too wide here.

ryanmickG · September 6th, 2005, 23:41

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
If you can't find anything in Utah....I don't have to tell you what you already know.

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, he isn't coming here. He's already said the "culture gap" is too wide here.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yyya theirs probably no culture clash between Michigan and Utah. I dont know I'm just going to throw that out there.

I think most of the mormans in Utah are Michigan transplants.

Just bustin' ballz John.

greaper007 · October 3rd, 2005, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by kellwolf

Come on, man. Join the long distance relationship club. Having a wife (and in my case kid) in another state just makes for more interesting cell phone bills....

Don't you guys have incalling?

kellwolf · October 3rd, 2005, 21:16

Yeah, I've got in-network calling, but I don't think John and Em do. Well, not sure if John can even get cell phone service down here unless he's bent over and hanging half out the back door.....

jtrain609 · October 3rd, 2005, 22:11

So you saw me back there eh?

September 3rd, 2005, 23:13	#1
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 16,982	How long should I hold out? Heya everyone, So I've got all the instructor certificates done and now I'm pretty much sitting on my bum with them. There are not a ton of flight instructor oppertunities that fit with my schedule (I'm in my last semester at the university) on this side of the state, so I'm going to go out this coming week and start papering the town with flyers and business cards trying to drum up some freelance work, but I'm honestly not expecting much to come out of it. I've decided I'm alright with pretty much sitting on my ratings until December when I graduate, I can handle that, but when is the point that I should start freaking out because I'm not instructing? I'm going to make sure I fly enough to stay current, but where is the point where I should just move where ever I can in the country to find a job? We're going out job hunting in Utah this coming weekend, but if nothing comes up there when should I be really worried that I'm not instructing? BTW I guess I'm looking at this from the perspective of an employer. What will they think when they see I got my certificates 8 months ago and I still don't have a job instructing? Thanks for your input! John Herreshoff

September 4th, 2005, 01:14	#2
GaTechKid Old Skool Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Hell Posts: 1,908	Re: How long should I hold out? [ QUOTE ] What will they think when they see I got my certificates 8 months ago and I still don't have a job instructing? [/ QUOTE ] It wasn't an issue when I was hired part-time at a local flight school and I doubt you'll find any issue with it. Perhaps the employer would ask you what you've been doing in the meantime. [ QUOTE ] when is the point that I should start freaking out because I'm not instructing? I'm going to make sure I fly enough to stay current, but where is the point where I should just move where ever I can in the country to find a job? [/ QUOTE ] I'd base how long you're willing to wait in Utah for an instructing position on what the flight schools tell you. If it's not looking like something will open up soon then I'd expand your search and start building your time. That's my general, vague, and probably wrong advice.

September 4th, 2005, 19:21	#3
Kingairer Old Skool Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Nomadic...World Wide Boobie Bungalow Bouncer Posts: 3,421	Re: How long should I hold out? have you tried at the only place in town? Theres gotta be somwhere else you can CFI and still finish school right?

September 4th, 2005, 23:57	#4
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 17,891	Re: How long should I hold out? Ask Ryan how long it took between when he got his CFI ratings and when he landed a job. I think it was something like 6 to 8 months. We were talking about that the other day. I don't think it would be that big a deal to an employer to see that you had that much time b/w ratings and job, especially if you're a full time student, as long as you stay current with flying. BTW, I discovered today I can't land worth crap from the left seat anymore. At least the Mooney has a little spring in the struts.

September 5th, 2005, 00:49	#5
ryanmickG Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 2,914	Re: How long should I hold out? Hey John. Send me a resey i'll give it to the chief pilot maybe he'll call for a interview. HAHAHAHAHAHAH (Walter laugh) J/K Ya, it took 8 months for Skymates to call me but I am glad I waited for them. I could be working at Katie Hawk right now. Late

September 5th, 2005, 10:07	#6
seagull Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,424	Re: How long should I hold out? Never more than three dates. Oh, sorry, wrong topic!

September 5th, 2005, 14:22	#7
Ralgha Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 1,043	Re: How long should I hold out? I waited almost two years before I started really using my CFI certificates. Nobody batted an eye. People worry too much about hours in this industry.

September 5th, 2005, 17:48	#8
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 17,891	Re: How long should I hold out? [ QUOTE ] Ya, it took 8 months for Skymates to call me but I am glad I waited for them. I could be working at Katie Hawk right now. [/ QUOTE ] And you MIGHT have enough hours to get put on the insurance for the Seneca by now.....

September 5th, 2005, 23:47	#9
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 16,982	Re: How long should I hold out? Thanks for the speedy replies ya'll. I was getting worried that if I didn't use my certificates right away I'd be unemployable after a little while. Right now me and Emily want to move to Utah and stick around there, and it looks like if I can't find a job there this winter I'm going to try to find a job as a lift operator or something at a ski resort over the winter and hold out until the spring, or nothing turns up and we have to move to some other part of the country. I'm just not too interested in bailing on Emily to chase down a flight instructor job unless I absolutly have to, and it sounds like I have a lot more wiggle room than I thought.

September 6th, 2005, 01:30	#10
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 17,891	Re: How long should I hold out? Come on, man. Join the long distance relationship club. Having a wife (and in my case kid) in another state just makes for more interesting cell phone bills....

September 6th, 2005, 20:01	#11
KLB Old Skool Join Date: May 2005 Location: DFW Posts: 4,734	Re: How long should I hold out? [ QUOTE ] Thanks for the speedy replies ya'll. [/ QUOTE ] Y'ALL? You were in Texas way to long. j/k You will be fine dude. I didn't get hired until six months after I got my initial CFI. Of course I didn't have my CMEL CFII or MEI, but I survived. If you can't find anything in Utah....I don't have to tell you what you already know.

September 6th, 2005, 21:20	#12
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 17,891	Re: How long should I hold out? [ QUOTE ] If you can't find anything in Utah....I don't have to tell you what you already know. [/ QUOTE ] Well, he isn't coming here. He's already said the "culture gap" is too wide here.

September 6th, 2005, 23:41	#13
ryanmickG Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Arlington TX Posts: 2,914	Re: How long should I hold out? [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] If you can't find anything in Utah....I don't have to tell you what you already know. [/ QUOTE ] Well, he isn't coming here. He's already said the "culture gap" is too wide here. [/ QUOTE ] Yyya theirs probably no culture clash between Michigan and Utah. I dont know I'm just going to throw that out there. I think most of the mormans in Utah are Michigan transplants. Just bustin' ballz John.

October 3rd, 2005, 21:16	#15
kellwolf Old Skool Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 17,891	Yeah, I've got in-network calling, but I don't think John and Em do. Well, not sure if John can even get cell phone service down here unless he's bent over and hanging half out the back door..... __________________ "We fixed it."

October 3rd, 2005, 22:11	#16
jtrain609 Old Skool Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 16,982	So you saw me back there eh? __________________ N6869R, on another radio, contact clearance for new airways...

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