I was wondering if anybody had any experience in transferring locations as a CFI? My plan is to attend an ATP (PPL credit) in the Phoenix area and pick up a 1 year apartment lease (travel nurse girlfriend coming along), cross my fingers that I can land one of the Phoenix area locations as a CFI after completing the program, work there for 6-ish months until my lease is up, and then transfer out to an east coast ATP. I am sure its probably “possible,” but how realistic/much of a headache can it be?
While it is possible to transfer locations, it’s not guaranteed. In fact, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to instruct at the location you train at.
When you complete your training, ATP will give you a list of available locations and hopefully one of them works for you. If not, you’re free to look for a job locally.
There’s so many possibilities. Yes, it could theoretically happen. But it depends on how you do in the program, the timing when you finish, the instructor demand of each location at the time you’re offered indoc, etc.
For now, keep it simple. Pick a location that works best for you and do well in the program. Once you’re given a choice of locations you can fine tune your plan. AZ has some very large locations which is good for your plan. If you’re still wanting to transfer later, keep an eye on the available transfer options for a few weeks prior and see how it goes.
I transferred locations as a CFI. I simply let it be known that I wanted to transfer to the ORF location and when it came up, I was offered the position. But do know that I had to take the position when it was offered. or it would have gone to somebody else. Now the policy might have changed, so it is best to check with Admin on this one.
The only difference transferring from west coast to east coast is in Pheonix you’ll be trained in 172s and the eastern half of the US flies Archers at ATP. My lead trained in Pheonix and the AUS lead did his training in Utah so it happens at ATP but you’ll have to pay for proficiency flights in the Archer when you transfer.
I have seen instructors’ transfer; however, ONLY if a position is available and they took it on the spot. Sometimes locations have waitlists to instruct at and it could take months (depending on number of criterion) to have a spot open up. Want to attend the “popular” ATP locations like Atlanta, Jacksonville, Mesa, etc., it could be months for a position.
Hopefully you reached out to Admission to check the policy on this, I am curious if transferability has changed policy or if it’s the same.
Brady,
I gave admissions a call, I didn’t get the straightest answer. The clearest piece of information I got was “we really would rather you not transfer once you have students.” But then cited that there are waitlists and they will take any situation into consideration.
Of course you will need to make sure all of your students are taken care of before transferring. But it is an option. Don’t focus too much of your worry on it now.
So I’m guessing if you train east coast in an Archer you’ll only be offered east coast ATP locations for CFI work, assuming you don’t get an offer from the same location you trained at…and vice versa.
No one is stopping you from going anywhere but what is most important is that you start your training and earn the CFI certification. A friend of mine had a saying, you can’t make general if you don’t first make 2nd lieutenant. I applaud you for planning in advance but in a year from now circumstances may have changed. Again, what is most important is when will you start day one of training?