Rolling Circle, I note your remarks with interest and that you appear to speak from the comfortable position of being a jet training captain.
I will not become involved in a personal slanging match however I do feel entitled to defend myself and perhaps speak for a few others.
In my case I do wish to fly airlines one day however in the mean time I am steadily building hours (just like the next man). I do enjoy instructing and would be happy to be a career instructor if I could afford it.
The current situation of poor pay will continue for a long time unless something radical is done. I do indeed have the choice of not putting up with this situation.....Result...?? another instructor will all too willingly take my place and I will have no job/no hours.
The world of flying instructors is a nervous and insecure environment, always looking over one's shoulder. Unless we all join forces and strike (highly unlikely) this situation will remain.
I do not believe that instructors intend to 'use' the flying schools. However I do think that many flying schools exploit this situation unfairly.
The whole matter is perhaps self perpetuating. If you look at similar posts on pprune over the years you will see little change.
What will be seen is that there are an awful lot of demoralised and undervalued instructors who are well qualified professional people struggling to get that first break.
For my part, yes as soon as I can I too will 'leg it' as fast as I can. This will leave my current students in the lurch having to get used to another new instructor.
I will leave and the whole shooting match will start all over again!
If instructors were paid a living wage ......blah....blah.........
So what's new??
I do hope that this post does not insult anyone.
Happy landings
JWF
