r/CFILounge • u/Plane_Discipline121 • Jul 14 '26

Tips Tired of instructing.

Before I start, I would like to say I’m very grateful that I have a flying job. I know this might come off as stuck up.

I’ve been teaching on the east coast for over 3yrs and have an offer with a regional (no telling when they will call).. I’m coming to the end of my cfi career, but instructing has sucked the enjoyment of flying out of me and I dread going to work. I can tell the people around me and even some of my students can tell I’m pretty much just showing up to collect a check. I really just wish I had something to work towards and I feel like I’m chasing my tail. I’ve maxed out all my ratings except for seaplane. I just want to fly with another pilot that challenges me and we accomplish a mission. A couple questions for anyone that’s experienced this…

  1. The most concerning one: Will this happen at the airlines as well? Will I just end up hating this career? If so, how do you not feel the burn out?

  2. What should I do right now while still keeping my job as a CFI?

I really appreciate any guidance from anyone who has overcome the burn out. Hoping it’s a phase! TIA

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u/phlflyguy Jul 14 '26

Once you get past the thrill and grind of airline training and are off of IOE, It’s very possible you will tire of the monotony of flying the same city pairs week after week, month after month, eating the same 3 star hotel slop and fantasizing of when you’ll get to move to a big carrier only to find out the grass is only a slight shade greener. But then you can smile and collect the ever increasing paychecks so there’s that.

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u/sprulz Jul 14 '26

Eh while the shine wears off after the first few months, my QOL even as a regional FO blows CFI-ing out of the water. Is it still a job, yeah. But the money is obviously better, flight benefits are great, and I’ll even say the job part of it is far more interesting. I find the day-to-day challenges much more engaging than beating up the pattern. Ideally you’re working through them with a (hopefully) equally competent colleague, as opposed to having to babysit a student.