Next Career Move

What would you do in this position..

1.) Here is where I currently stand; I have my CSEL/CMEL. I have a job flying skydivers, and average around 8 hours a week in a 182. ( Fun job, and I'll be flying 30 hours a week in the summer [Busy DZ] )
I graduate High School in a few weeks, and I'm doing online college.

I want to get my CFI/II/MEI. This skydiving job is only until September.

2.) Here is what I was thinking. Going to American Flyers in Florida and getting my CFIs, and landing a job with them. I know they pay peanuts, but I'm young with no debt.

I could save around 2k if I do everything at my local flight school ( Living at home is cheap) BUT I want to move to Florida and get a CFI job there. No matter what I want to be in Florida ( I live in CO)

Any advice? Are there ALWAYS CFI jobs in Florida? I don't really care what part of Florida, just Florida.

If someone gives you a different opinion, put theirs above mine because they will probably be more familiar with situations such as yours.

For starters, if it were me, and I was getting ready to graduate from high school with no intention of going to college, I'd go have a serious talk with an Army recruiter about their flight program. I'm not saying jump for the deal, I'm just saying I'd find out more about that option and weigh it in my decision process.

Beyond that, I'd just caution that if you do move to Florida to carefully read the rental agreement for any place you might reside before signing it. You don't want to sign a one year lease on an apartment and find out after two months there that you want to go back to Colorado.

I don't know how much of a demand there might be for newly minted flight instructors in Florida, but I do know it seems to be the epicenter of flight schools.

Depends on the economy. When its in the current state, CFI jobs are plentiful. When it tanks, better search hard.

If you want to build ME time, i suggest FSA down in Florida. I worked there and it was a good career kick start for me. There are tons of schools along both coasts, and I would look into location as well. The gulf coast has some nice stuff in the Naples area. I mean, it all depends on where you want to be.

I don't care where I am too much. Coast would be nice though.

Florida and Arizona seem to be where most of the CFI jobs are. Why not go visit for a few days before you decide it is where you want to go. I've never been to Florida but I really liked Arizona in the fall, winter and spring (Summer is just way to hot.) Arizona is a weekend car drive and tickets to Florida aren't bad.

I'll echo Houston, read the rental agreement. There are plenty of people who will prey on a young man just getting started in the world. A six month lease is about as short as you will find without paying out the nose for rent.

I assume you are either in Longmont or Canon City as those are the major dropzones. You could try finding a CFI job at BJC or APA.

I'd say you're already pretty well off if you have a paying flying job in high school. Stay at home and mooch off your parents.

Er... You really don't want to go to college and meet new people? And do all the other things it's about?
I'm 17, taking my CSEL ride on thursday. I guess moving away from all my friends just to fly sounds like hell. Especially knowing that It's going to be a challenge to make new ones. (No college)
If you do want to go... Why not try and get into college in FL? You could still instruct on the side.

Or if you like the idea of Florida so much, why not try and get into a college there?

pm ed you

ERAU is hiring instructors in Daytona Beach, FL.

Think ERAU will still have a hiring window in Julyish?

I have gone this route. I never believed when people said on these forums enjoy, drink, chase women, and enjoy the college experience. I now know if I could go back I would chill enjoy college, fly on the side, drink, and have some fun.\

I am looking at going back to school since I am still under 21 and starting over.

So here is my advice to you. Stick with what you got right now. Go to college in Denver and fly on the side and when you get out of college with a degree you will have more than enough time to get your foot in the door.

You do not want to be 40 years old going bald looking at college kids and wishing you had that experience. Nothing can replace the experiences of college. There are so many things you will miss out and I hate to tell you this, but you are going to be disappointed. I found this out the hard way, because it is not a race.

I was once given an analogy about myself. Someone said if you had group of people drive to Alaska, that I would just gun it to Alaska never stopping and enjoying the ride or beauty. I would be the first one to arrive in Alaska, but then later the rest of the group would arrive also and they would of enjoyed the beauty and scenery as they drove to Alaska.
That was an analogy given to me as I talked to someone that knows me very well.

My advice to you is enjoy the ride and try to get every ounce of juice out of this career instead of rushing through everything. I am still young so I can start over and probably am going to start over with a new degree and state college.

Personally, I'd go to college and 'meet' as many women as possible. I found that experience worthwhile (be safe though). If you want, get your CFI/CFII/MEI before going and use that as your part time job. Personally, being a professional pilot and having done a lot of other things in life, I would not trade my 4 years in a traditional college for anything.

Yeah most likely. ERAU has had a hiring barn door for the last year with all the CFIs getting sucked up in the regionals but things are changing with all the airline furloughs so who knows how long that will last. Last year when I get hired by a regional I was in a class with all prior CFIs who never flew anything bigger than a seminole and this year I'm in regional class again (after furlough) with almost all (except 2) pilots with prior 121 or 135 experience.

You might want to re-think that statement...There are some pretty terrible places in FL.

The one thing that got my attention is your desire to move to Florida. Why? And from Colorado of all places!

I did the same thing as you while in College. Right time right place(networking) started right seating in king Airs. Got sent to ProLine 21 King Air 200 intial my sophomore year. My second senior year got hired as a King Air/PC-12 captain. Again, through networking got hired on with a great company who paid for my G III initial and after 500 hrs in it have just been sent to GIV initial. Have a North Atlantic crossing in the GIV as captain on Tuesday, and have flown many celebrities. My friends/family say I need a reality check into life in the real working world. I have been very blessed my whole career, but flying will be there. Enjoy college: 1. Because its awesome 2. Because it extremely fun 3. It teaches you people skills.

JDP

P.S. be nice to everyone you never know who might give you a recommendation or will be your Chief Pilot two years from now.

Maybe he doesn't like the cold. There are more good places than bad in FL and every state has its fair share of weakspots.

Don't take this the wrong way or anything, but it sounds like you are a bit immature about this whole college/life decision. Flying will always be there, no matter what. You've got a good amount of hours and a nice part time job it sounds like. My advice....1) Go to a REAL college and get a degree 2) Instruct part time during college 3) Get your CFI/II/MEI and by the time you graduate college, you will probably have enough hours for the airlines. I thought about taking the same route as you did, but in the end, I wouldn't want to have given anything up for these last few years of college.

That I'll agree with. I especially like South Florida.