Honest Frank, go to hear you again, long time no hear!
I can vouch for Honest Frank on all his comments. I worked for Cabair on the same scheme but was lucky enough to be at an airfield away from the constant opprressive management. Working for the company is like working in a Dickensian workhouse, the financial rewards and quality of life during the two years of instruction is disgusting and disheartening and only the strong survive the full two years. HOWEVER. For a person who wants to get into the airline industry, and stand a chance of attaining a first job with a good airline, large jets if desired, the possiblility exists after the two year sentance. Ex-Cabair flying instructors are looked upon in a favorable light, they have shown commitment to the job (not the management)and have been proffessional in their conduct. Those that fly in bad weather under duress rarely do it more then once, and usually only when they are relatively new to the job when hours and 'not wanting to rock the boat' tug at the grey matter telling them to stay on the ground. Once one hot summer day, after a few weeks of heavy flying, I dozed-off on a navex, to be woken up by the 'little-guy' on my shoulder. As I opened my right eye, I saw a PA-28 'jolly close'. I took control and pulled up and rolled over the PA-28. Since then, I make sure that I am fed, watered and rested before any flight.
The rewards, apart from the hours and recognition in subsequent job applications, are few. The best that one can hope for is a few flights with beautiful flying conditions and a favorite student, or finally getting a student through a mindblock with something, or giving nice people their dream come true to fly an aeroplane alone, safely. Don't expect this on a daily basis, of the people that one is required to teach to fly,only approx 10% actually put their required effort into their side of the equasion (this 10% are a joy to fly with even if their ability is less than average). Teaching the other 90% is like trying to push s**t up a pole.
I used to work /7 days a week in the City, 12 to 14 hours a day, but that was nothing compared to teaching people to fly, it should not be undertaken lightly.
My honest thoughts on the subject of instructing with Cabair is that I have no regrets, but I would not do it again. I now feel like the happiest pilot on the planet, flying a B737 for a prestigous airline out of LHR, I could quite happily retire from my current position but I know that aviation has lots more to offer me, and I it.
If you go the instructor route then....
Remember this:
Live for the time you return home and chalk up your hours in your logbook every night.
Keep focussed. Do your job proffessionally - a F**K-up at this stage will affect your career forever. It is not worth it.
If you are asked to do something unusual to the ordinary day, only do it if it is in your interest.
THE TWO YEARS OF HARD WORK ARE A MEANS TO AN END AND NOTHING ELSE.
Frank - keep on rockin' baby. See ya up there!
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Wizz, Bang, Pop !