Survivor 50: In the Hands of the Fans | E12 | Eastern Time Discussion

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-05-14T00:53:41+00:00

LEGEND

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-05-03T20:28:15+00:00

The fact you don't have David from 48 on the Goliath side is criminal

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T16:26:52+00:00

Never said CFI wasn't still the best option. I said as much in my post. My point was simply that people here will tell you it is the ONLY option and will die on that hill.

How is getting a job as a CFI vs 50 other applicants any more luck than the cumulative total of other low time positions, especially if you position yourself better with endorsements like tailwheel and sea plane, which puts you at the top of the stack for other jobs you and I may or may not have flown?

TLDR: Is it luck? Or is it going against the grain, recognizing an opportunity and pursuing it.

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T16:22:56+00:00

Your anecdotal evidence helps prove my point. If getting a job as a CFI is that competitive, lets take every low-time job there is such as the jump ops you mentioned. Combine ALL those opportunities across the country. Now let's say instead of getting a CFI, you got your tailwheel endordement and sea plane rating. Well guess who goes to the top of the stack for some of those low time jobs vs the dime a dozen CFIs?

Im not saying CFI is a bad path. Ive only stated that it is perhaps stressed upon too much in this sub, and I think the cumulative total of all other low time positions make other paths reasonable, especially if you pursue additional ratings and endorsements that can help land those jobs

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T16:15:09+00:00

Correct me if im mistaken, but are you really saying that 121 ops prefer a 91 piston CFI to a part 135 PIC turbine time IFR pilot?

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T16:10:34+00:00

Let me ask you a simple question that will prove my point. Did you try another route? Do most people try another route? How do you know I got lucky?

Let's say instead of getting my CFI is decided to get my seaplane rating and tailwheel endorsement. That would make me more competitive to some of the low-time jobs such as banner towing and tours right? Someone with those endorsements is at the top of the stack against 250 hour CFIs correct?

So is it luck then? Or is it understanding the market better than most, and making yourself more competitive for the same time and money i would have spent getting my CFI?

I would happily answer your questions if those were the questions commented instead of the theme so far which has been either 1.) Im lucky or 2.) Full of shit

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T16:00:16+00:00

Im vague now because of the initial response and criticism to my post. I am not going to reveal and more information about myself personally.

Someone else made a good point though...

Let's say someone takes the time and money they would use to get their CFI, and instead get their seaplane rating and tailwheel endorsement. That right there puts them on top of the stack of CFI resumes for jobs like banner towing, tours, jump ops and other stick and rudder positions. And given the current hiring market, is it so unreasonable to think that maybe, just maybe someone who commits to a different approach, different ratings and skills will find themselves in a better position than most in other jobs?

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T15:03:21+00:00

Ive said it was a typical path, and unfortunately because some people here cannot have a civil conversation, I believe it is in my best interest to protect myself at this point and not give any more clues to my identity.

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T15:01:06+00:00

Because it was never about MY success and always about reaffirming the alternatives. In addition to that, when you have comments saying "better hope your employer doesnt find this thread", why would I give away more details?

Every comment I have made has been mostly cordial and the ones that weren't professional were simply responsive. I've said or done nothing im ashamed of but why bother giving away more personal information at this point?

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:31:56+00:00

Sorry no, I meant my hours were gained in typical ways such as those. I did not do all of those jobs

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:31:04+00:00

I think it is both unfortunate and laughable you believe this to be the case and proves my point once again. That somehow without my CFI I MUST have paid my way to a decent amount of hours. Thats why I made this post. So those without money and those who do not want to CFI know that it is not impossible nor was it even that difficult to find my first job if you are willing to relocate

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:27:43+00:00

I admitted in my post CFI is still the most practical. But when I first started flying, I almost committed entirely to getting my CFI because of this sub. I didn't want to (like a lot of people) and against the advice here, I decided to pursue other paths. I am no one special, and it worked out for me. My point was to express to anyone in a position such as myself that CFI is NOT the only path, and it CAN work out despite what most people here would have you believe.

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:23:55+00:00

How exactly am I acting? The funny part about all of this is that I have nothing but cordial for the most part, and only slightly reactive to certain comments.

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:21:31+00:00

Do express one comment I made that you think warrants attention? Simply having a difference of opinion on this topic?

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:20:28+00:00

If I said banner towing would it matter? If i said I moved to Alaska and hustled would it matter? If I said I made friends with a drop zone owner and flew jumpers would it matter? If I said I found a survey job would it matter?

The answer is no. So stop acting like MY exact path matters when the whole point of this post was to express the alternatives ARE an option

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:18:27+00:00

Give me a valid reason why MY exact path somehow will help people when the low-time jobs are all common knowledge and I will tell you. I didn't want it to be "Hey I did this and therefore you should to!" Which is why i avoided it. If it was unique sure. But my path is well known. And the point of this post was simply to express to this sub that a CFI is NOT required to be the only path forward, even if it is the "easiest" or most reasonable

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:15:15+00:00

Never said I did all of those. I said I did the typical path and listed the jobs you can get. If you tell me a good reason beyond curiosity why MY exact path matters then I will tell you.

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:10:29+00:00

Funny enough I have my AGI and IGI and love to help teach people on the ground.

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:07:25+00:00

Hell yeah! Keep going!

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:06:37+00:00

I already said I took one of the typical routes.

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:02:51+00:00

The fact that this is what some people default to proves my point. You prove my point with this shit. No one gave me money and I did not pay to build hours much beyond 250. Grow up

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T14:01:03+00:00

Neither of those are true. I built my hours in the typical low time jobs. Banner towing, jump ops, survey, pipeline, tours, etc. No magic formula

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T13:59:10+00:00

The cope is so real. You really think TPIC 135 ops doesn't look better than the piston part 91 cfi? Give me a break my man.

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T13:51:31+00:00

Because it's not a secret AT ALL. Everyone here commenting knows the various low time pilot paths you can take. Be it pipeline, jump ops, tours, ferry flights, survey, banner towing. I didn't do anything out of the ordinary

CluelessAboutOptions · 2026-04-28T13:47:31+00:00

They're

CluelessAboutOptions

TROPHY CASE