Ever have a student that just rubs you the wrong way?

[Crockrocket94]

I had a student that for some reason I just couldn't enjoy flying with.

The person who you hate getting up and going to work because you have to sit near them. I dont know why but his attitude toward training just bugged me!

I promptly dropped him as a student after he came quite late to a lesson.
Anyone have any similar experiences?

[esa17]

Originally Posted by Crockrocket94

I had a student that for some reason I just couldn't enjoy flying with.

The person who you hate getting up and going to work because you have to sit near them. I dont know why but his attitude toward training just bugged me!

I promptly dropped him as a student after he came quite late to a lesson.
Anyone have any similar experiences?

Simple answer, yes. I just try and keep my boss apprised of the situation so that when the time comes I've got a track record established. I have one tomorrow actually, not looking forward to it.

[Chris_Ford]

I have learned that it's best not to let your students rub you at all.

[esa17]

Even the skinny blond girls?

[Chris_Ford]

Originally Posted by esa17

Even the skinny blond girls?

I never had that problem to deal with, unfortunately.

[cfii2007]

Students that show up late...........

Grrrrrrrr!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Crockrocket94]

I am in the fortunate position of having a good number of students right now. And yes, being late is my NUMBER 1 Pet peeve.

Its unacceptable when you live 100' away. (Appts right near the airport)

In this business, one should not be late.

[exleardriver]

the one's i don't like? usually early...

no telling how many i've dealt with that although i didn't mind them 'personally', they were a huge pain with whom to work. the guy that shows up telling you 'what he doesn't need to do' or 'just needs a signoff' or doesn't like 'the book part'...ugh. it's the quiet one's who come in and are willing to LISTEN and let me do my job are the one's whom are a pleasure..the one's who really want to learn and do things right. i can smell a 'short-cutter' within a couple minutes of listening to them tell me how they need to utilize me to reach their goal. i pissed off a student, pressuring me to sign him off for his checkride because his 'weekend course' written he'd taken and forgotten two years ago was going to expire in a couple weeks, so much..that his WIFE actually sent me a nasty e-mail. after i nicely replied that i was happy that she'd written to share her thoughts..that she and her two daughters figured highly in my decision not to signoff, as i didn't feel they were ready to see their husband/father become an ntsb statistic....she actually reversed her position after i detailed the troubles i'd been having with him and his apathy for study. aviation attracts more than its share of egos and idiots..

[bdhill1979]

Originally Posted by exleardriver

aviation attracts more than its share of egos and idiots..

Say it aint so

With your permission I am going to put that on my desk, for my students, and boss to see.

[exleardriver]

Originally Posted by bdhill1979

Say it aint so

With your permission I am going to put that on my desk, for my students, and boss to see.

i know....god i rolled my eyes i think as soon as i hit 'submit reply'!

[moxiepilot]

Originally Posted by esa17

Simple answer, yes. I just try and keep my boss apprised of the situation so that when the time comes I've got a track record established. I have one tomorrow actually, not looking forward to it.

I've had a few, not many, but definitely a couple. I'm lucky to be on the other side. Yesterday I had to drop 10 students because I have way way way too many. So I got to pick and choose who I am working with

[Crockrocket94]

Dang moxie! How is the work in the winter up there?

Do you have 2 jobs?

[moxiepilot]

well, i'm booked every hour i'm scheduled (own hours, but i put in 6 days 7:30 - 6 in the winter)

was just offered to "oversee" the flight staff / pilot shop / students (I guess I could start calling myself the chief but that seems silly.

and as for the second job, yes I do aviation software consulting and design for G1000 products.

What the summer's going to be like is a whole new ball of wax.

[MarkE]

Originally Posted by exleardriver

the one's i don't like? usually early...

no telling how many i've dealt with that although i didn't mind them 'personally', they were a huge pain with whom to work. the guy that shows up telling you 'what he doesn't need to do' or 'just needs a signoff' or doesn't like 'the book part'...ugh. it's the quiet one's who come in and are willing to LISTEN and let me do my job are the one's whom are a pleasure..the one's who really want to learn and do things right. i can smell a 'short-cutter' within a couple minutes of listening to them tell me how they need to utilize me to reach their goal. i pissed off a student, pressuring me to sign him off for his checkride because his 'weekend course' written he'd taken and forgotten two years ago was going to expire in a couple weeks, so much..that his WIFE actually sent me a nasty e-mail. after i nicely replied that i was happy that she'd written to share her thoughts..that she and her two daughters figured highly in my decision not to signoff, as i didn't feel they were ready to see their husband/father become an ntsb statistic....she actually reversed her position after i detailed the troubles i'd been having with him and his apathy for study. aviation attracts more than its share of egos and idiots..

Wow, this guy has real problems if his wife is sending emails for him.

[ljg]

Everyone has, or has had, a student like that. Nothing else needs to be written except that they suck.

[esa17]

My guy, a private student on lesson 5, just tried to bully me into flying in ceilings that are calling between 600-1000....In a worn out C150, no thanks.

[Nihon_Ni]

Originally Posted by Crockrocket94

I am in the fortunate position of having a good number of students right now. And yes, being late is my NUMBER 1 Pet peeve.

Its unacceptable when you live 100' away. (Appts right near the airport)

In this business, one should not be late.

I agree. I found that when I started charging students from the begining of their reservation time, that I was less bothered by them being late. Hey, if they want to pay me to sit here and drink coffee that's fine with me.

[moxiepilot]

done that.

its about respecting ones own time and self worth

[jrh]

Originally Posted by moxiepilot

its about respecting ones own time and self worth

No kidding.

The difference between "timebuilding" CFIs and "professional" CFIs becomes more and more clear to me each day.

Knowing what I know now, I don't understand how some of these young guys can stand to operate the way they do.

[Ian J]

Originally Posted by jrh

No kidding.

The difference between "timebuilding" CFIs and "professional" CFIs becomes more and more clear to me each day.

Knowing what I know now, I don't understand how some of these young guys can stand to operate the way they do.

So maybe it's a good thing time-building CFIs are going the way of the dodo. Hmm... maybe I should rethink my bridge course position.

[jrh]

Originally Posted by Ian J

So maybe it's a good thing time-building CFIs are going the way of the dodo. Hmm... maybe I should rethink my bridge course position.

Haha...I don't know if I'd go that far.

It just makes me shake my head when I see guys doing anything they can for a little flight time. Some guys will put up with anything if they're able to fly. If they want to work like dogs for pennies per hour, that's fine with me, but I don't play that game anymore.

The other day I was chatting with a "low time" (about 500 TT) CFI and mentioned something about how I don't care about flight time anymore. He acted absolutely shocked. "What?? You don't care about flight time?"

"Well, yeah, I log it all still, but I don't care about it. I stopped caring about it when I hit 135 IFR minimums. I'm planning to fly freight as soon as I'm done with school. So if you can find me a grocery store that lets me buy food with my flight time, I'd start caring about it then, but otherwise, I've got bills to pay. I do this for the money."

He looked completely confused. I think the point went over his head.

[MFT1Air]

I laugh as I read the subject of the thread. Yep, the simple answer is yes. I had to add on another comment. Those student became:

• Private pilot certificated.
• Commercial pilot certificated.
• Part 135 pilot qualified.
• Part 121 pilot qualified.
• ATP certificated.
• CFIs and perhaps even Master CFIs.

Just a thought. . .

[Crockrocket94]

I am not one for burning bridges, at anytime in this industry he could end up being my boss.

However, just to shed more light, there is an interesting story.

The students and Instructors have to be in uniform here at the school. (I know, not my choice)

Apparently, before he was my student, he was out drinking at the local airport bar/restaurant, in full uniform. Anyone who has been around aviation knows that you probably shouldnt drink in a pilot getup.

Two people went up to him and told him that he probably shouldn't be drinking in uniform and if he wanted to have a bottle or two, that he should change into civilian wear and return.

He was not "happy" with this comment and promptly told the two to mind their own business and that they didnt know anything...

The two people who approached him were two CFI's that worked here with me.

Well, turns out that during the first lesson, which is sort of an orientation brief to get used to all the regulations and just the way things work around here in general, he met his instructor for the first time and it turned out that his CFI was one of the people who confronted him.

He quickly switched CFI's to another person..



Any thoughts?

[jrh]

Originally Posted by Crockrocket94

Any thoughts?

Shoulda switched to a school that doesn't require uniforms

[Crockrocket94]

In due time my friend

But for now... I am here