CFI or charter airline?

[wikz]

what's up y'all! I am in the process of getting my PPL and I absolutely love flying, and will be continuing after I finish college; however, I am stuck between the two options listed above in the title. Ive heard so many different stories of how having time before going to UPT is good because you have a good idea of how to do things, or how it can also be bad due to unlearning civilian flying habits. 

it seems to me like most of our guys at the 199th FS had time before going to UPT such as Skywest, HA pilot, CFI, charter airline, and I definitely think i'm gonna jump on that train. I understand that Uncle Sam would be paying for those ratings and it would be a waste of money, but I want to ensure I comeback to the squadron if I ever got picked up by these guys.

I don't really care about how much hours I'll accrue, but rather which skills will transfer over to UPT more. if I trained students as a CFI/CFII, I feel like VFR and IFR flying will be engrained in my head which I think will be good? However, I will mainly be teaching and not flying meaning I could possibly lose the flying hands? I also think CFI flying will look better on a resume then charter/cargo flying.

On the other hand, I have buddies who are also trying to fly for the 199th that fly for kamaka air (the charter/cargo airline im talking about) who said they would vouch for me if I ever tried to fly for them. It probably would be an easier way to gain hours, and I would actually be flying, however, its less focused on maneuvers, etc.

I would appreciate any thoughts you guys have! Thanks in advance!🤙

 

[Biff_T]

IMHO 

If you have the funds, go CFII until you have ATP minimums and then try to get on board at an airline.  You can get paid as a CFII (not much money but plenty of hours and knowledge gained from instructing new pilots) while waiting for a regional or mainline company to higher you.   

Continue to apply for the USAF during the process of becoming a professional pilot.

The few CFIIs I knew did a little better at UPT and the regionals (RIP Compass).  

 

Edited 33 minutes ago by Biff_T
Words are hard

[brabus]

Keep in mind you'll need 250 hrs for a commercial, which is going to cost a shitload, especially in Hawaii. Additional hours may be required for a specific company’s mins. I would go down this road only if professional flying outside the AF is a desirable career. Doing all of that just to boost your ANG app or UPT performance (I watched CFIs do great and horribly in UPT) is not a great reason by itself. Definitely get your PPL and continue to learn, just make sure you only go into a shitload of flight training debt for logical reasons.