To All My Fellow Instructors...

Pugster · Post by **Pugster** » Sat May 07, 2005 6:22 am

To all the instructors out there (especially the new ones that are still in first-paycheck shock) who work like dogs for poverty-line wages, it will pay off. The long days, the students with piss-poor attitudes, the bad-weather paychecks, the unpaid duties...And don't worry too much about employers that "don't hire" instructors - there's lots out there that are great employers that love hiring instructors as well as people from other sides of the industry.

Just remember to keep your head down, stick it out, and be as professional as you can. And have a little fun while you're doing it, damnit; you never know when you'll finally get the call and your time instructing will come to an end.

Mine did this week. King Air, here I come!!! And yes, I plan on doing a little instruction on the side still - but now it will be freelance and contract only for the "Cat-like" bucks!!

short bus · Post by **short bus** » Sat May 07, 2005 7:17 am

congrats

Cat Driver · Post by **Cat Driver** » Sat May 07, 2005 7:35 am

Pugster:

Great, Beech builds nice airplanes that go above circuit height and on above the clouds.

When you free lance you must remember you are a professional and as such worth fair pay.

I would suggest $50.00 per hour would be fair, if they want you to give them a receipt for the money you will be forced to raise your pay to $70.00 to cover your extra paperwork and expenses.

I never charge for briefings because it is poor customer relations to insult them by charging for small talk if you are not flying. Briefings are always tailored around each situation and can be done without you really losing much in the way of time or energy.

Don't worry about the student not wanting to pay the $50.00 per hour because as long as you know what you are doing they will learn more from you with your one on one relationship.

So have fun with the Beech and go out and find a common slut to celebrate with to truly become one of the pilot pool.

Cat

TopperHarley · Post by **TopperHarley** » Sat May 07, 2005 8:02 am

Congratulations! My former instructor also moved onto a King Air recently. It's nice to hear about movement in the industry!

Ralliart · Post by **Ralliart** » Sat May 07, 2005 12:42 pm

Hey P, good on ya!

Just remember the wife and kids if you choose to follow the last of Cat Drivers advice!

Alex

Pugster · Post by **Pugster** » Sat May 07, 2005 5:57 pm

Ya Alex,

I'm not going to follow that advice any time soon. Might make for a messy situation (and not in the way that CD intended).

Thanks for the congrats!

Peter

flyincanuck · Post by **flyincanuck** » Sat May 07, 2005 6:47 pm

Congrats man, always good to hear a success story! Best of luck
Cheers!

skywatcher · Post by **skywatcher** » Sun May 08, 2005 7:41 am

CONGRATS!!!!!!

Its great to hear about instructors moving forward.

Just wondering how much time/experience you have instructing?

cheers
fellow instructor:~)

Airtids · Post by **Airtids** » Sun May 08, 2005 7:48 am

Well done, Pugster. I see you're not BC anymore... where are you off to? Warmer or colder

?

Pugster · Post by **Pugster** » Sun May 08, 2005 11:55 am

Well, lets just say that I won't have to be dealing with 40 degree summers playing on the lake anymore....

No Conflict · Post by **No Conflict** » Sun May 08, 2005 5:58 pm

Congrats! Nice to see... give'r!

wha happen · Post by **wha happen** » Mon May 09, 2005 10:12 am

congrats pugster

wha happen · Post by **wha happen** » Mon May 09, 2005 10:13 am

id like to add that it is nice to see everyone being supportive here, and not bitching about how that was their job. Good on all y'all.

KAG · Post by **KAG** » Wed May 11, 2005 8:26 pm

Congrats!!!!
I remember when I got the same call, I was about as hyped as you.

it's nice to see movment in the industry, looking forward to running across you on some frozen apron.

Cheers.