"Snowbird" wrote in message
om...
Dylan Smith wrote in message
...

In article , Tom S. wrote:
And right there is a main issue: If you want to work for someone else,
don't
bellyache, go be self-employed. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

In an ideal world we could all do that.

Huh? Looks like a fundamental contradiction to me. If you want
to work for someone else, you can't be self-employed

I know what you both mean, though. Given some of Tom's posts
elsewhere lashing people for making spelling or grammar mistakes,
I just couldn't resist. My bad.

Ummm...I make too many errors (even with a spelling checker) to play
"teacher" (unless it's someone hopelessly illiterate), I leave the
grammar-cop stuff to CJ and George.

If you want to ding someone, please stay away from hyperbole. If you're so
adept at point out my vulgarity toward some punk, then don't set yourself up
at the same time.

The root of the problem is that in most places, flight instruction
is a minor-league apprenticeship for a career as a professional pilot,
not a way to make a living.

And the companies one works for is NOT a monoply...probably not even in the
local area.

And realistic alternatives aren't always
available,

Sure they are; it's finding those alternatives that make someone an
entrepreneaur.

just as they aren't available to most physicians who would like
to practice medicine without going through the high-stress, high-hours
low-pay grinder which is internship and residency.

Well, that's a PROFESSION that is regulated by a private body (AMA) under
the guise of a government body. (Actually, it's more a guild.)

But it's still not slavery, theft, or murder in either case.

Correct.

It's
a choice -- hopefully an informed choice -- the apprentices have
made in order to pursue career goals which they value.

Damn...what did folks do 40-50 years ago, before "Flight Schools".


[snip]

I've been kinda waiting to hear from our mutual friend Michael on
this one. I think what he'd say is, the fact that most young
inexperienced CFIs can't make a living at flight instruction is
fundamentally the market voting on what they're actually worth
at that level of training and aviation experience. But that's just
my SWAG, I don't want to put words in anyone's mouth and it's neither
here nor there.

The fact there's a glut of both pilots and instructors right now certainly
doesn't help, but I'm sure you also agree that someone has a right to a
particular career, but not necessarily to make money at it (see: Hollyweird)


In my opinion, the real solution is to change the FAA rules so
that there's a realistic way for wanna-be professional pilots to
build the hours they need without flight instruction. Then we
can hear bellyaching about 'slavery in aviation' flying night
cargo or pipeline patrol or what-have-you.

I know a few professional pilots and only two have EVER been instuctors.

But I think it would be a dramatic improvement for student pilots.
They could be taught by people who want to instruct, and since
there'd presumably be fewer CFIs FBOs which wished to retain them
would have to treat them rather better.

I guess hanging out at the airport and washing planes is passé anymore :~)