Dear grade_3
A little more back ground on me. I have been flying for ten years and an instructor for three. When I moved to QLD it was hard to find work. VERY HARD. I chose the flying school that was professional and had a great safety record, that was important for me. I could have worked at the dodgy flying school down the road that paid less yet provided more flying time. But I chose the company that I wanted to fly for, it was also the reputation of the company that was important to me, especially as one day I would like to fly for the ailines. Not the ailines for the money either. I fly with the most professional pilots I know, no dodgy operations and no pressure to fly in marginal conditions even. The instructors are of a high standard because our boss maintains that level. If we make it to the airlines, he is very proud of us and will help us achieve our goals in any way he can. Yes I am very lucky, but it did take me a long time to become secure in this company. the senior instructors do get the work first when it is available. But if I don't get some work that day I will ask to backseat so I may learn something from an intructor with 3000 - 8000 flying experience.
CHICKEN, I agree with ATTITUDE. Flying instructors are professional pilots and are entitled to the award. This is a career job. It is not right for the CFI/owner to determine what they think is the correct salary. If you can not afford to pay rent on a f/i wage you will look for a better paying job and no doubt aim for the ailines. But for those who want a career as a f/i they deserve to be paid the award. How would you feel if you were a 40 year old with a family and not being paid the award and all you wanted to do was be a f/i!!!!!
At my flying school there are around 15 professional f/i, there for 5-10 years or more and HAPPY. It offers solid grounding for the students and the school's reputation. The students and junior instructors all benifit from their experience and positive attitude.
If you are happy with the operation and you know your boss will genuinely help you when you need it and all operations are as per the book, maybe you can discuss with him the short and long term conditions you are entitled to.
Yes it is hard, good luck
PS: Flying schools with contracts with a University to provide training require that the instructors must be a two or higher and paid the award wage. I think the Qantas cadet training system is grade one
and award pay. The cadet scheme started because the airlines were not happy with the standard to the training that was generally provided. To be trained under the cadet scheme costs the student around AUD110,000. A lot to pay but you know you will be trained the best and be employable by the airlines. If the standard of training in GA does not improve maybe the airlines will soon only employ cadet trained pilots - that is grade one only instructors!!!!!!!!! I wonder how a f/i will get from grade 3 to grade 1????
[This message has been edited by Msjj (edited 30 August 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Msjj (edited 30 August 2000).]