Good afternoon,
I was hoping that y’all might be able to shed some light on instructing at the airlines. What are the general job responsibilities - is it similar instructing at a school like ATP, or is it mostly setting up the sims, paperwork, etc.? Is it more of a 9-5, home every night type of job? Is it a job you can hold while also flying periodically? Any idea what it pays? I really appreciate any insight y’all can provide.
Thanks
Michael,
Though I have never been an instructor for an airline, I have been taught by them and have flown with them. Their schedules at my airline have been very demanding. This is primarily due to the increase in pilot recruitment and training.
There are many different variations of being an instructor at an airline. Some do ground, some do sim, some do IOE, some do multiple. The IOE instructors typically stick to flying new hires on the line. Those check airman right now are flying so much some are timing out.
Sim instructors on the other hand work, can get roped into the graveyard shift. It is not uncommon to work double or triple shifts, some lasting until 4am.
Since the demand for pilot training at my airline has spiked, the sim instructors aren’t flying a full schedule. They are still required to fly for currency, but most would prefer to spend half of their time flying and the other half instructing. Instead, they currently spend about 80-90% of their time in the sim.
I don’t know how much it pays, but it’s typically your normal hourly pay, with an instructor override. So, it pays pretty well. I have considered teaching in the VPT (virtual procedures trainer), but I chose not to. The reason being is if I had done it, I would have flown significantly less. Although it would have paid more, it is more important to me to get my 1000 hours so I can upgrade to Captain.
As I progress in my career I will reconsider flight instruction as an option.
Tory
Michael,
Instructing for the airlines is NOTHING like instructing for ATP and if you’re looking for a 9-5 gig that ain’t it. I’ve been an instructor at both my airlines and it’s a tremendous amount of work. Teaching class is one part of it but there’s much more. Most are involved in course curriculum development, lots of paperwork, class prep prior and grading after, weekends, meetings etc. You fly periodically to keep current but generally not much. As Tory said, since all instructors are pilots you get paid an override above you pilot hourly rate. While the money is good you really need to enjoy teaching for it to be worth while.
Adam
Thanks Tory/Adam, that’s very helpful