In need of more time!

[AlP-VA-609]

Hey Todd,

My name is Al...A bit about me. I followed my dream right out of high school. I went to Pan Am international flight academy in Ft. Pierce FL. Near flight safety and like flight safety. I got my Private, Instrument, Commercial Multi and CFI..Sept 11 hit as I was working on my CFII After Sept. 11 I moved back to my home town because there was a break in flying b/c the school shut down for a while then it eventually shut down for good. I went to instruct at the Virginia tech airport in Blacksburg VA (BCB). They eventually shut down too. I was stuck! Luckily my father started a restaurant about 30 or so years ago and I followed his foot steps and opened my own and then another, still opened today. The reason i went to the restaurant business was because of the rapid decline for the demand of pilots. I needed money and I needed it fast! I got married and now have 2 wonderful girls. 1 is 2.5 yrs and the other just turned one. I havent flown since I left Virginia Tech in Sept of 2002! So busy with the restaurant I couldn't rent a plane to fly. But just in the last few days I was having crazy dreams about flying so I got my biannual and all current except for my CFI as of today!!. I have 450 hrs. I want to get get back in the game. I have a chance to leave the restaurant business in Feburary of 2010 if not sooner because the lease will run out and I may not sign again. It will be another 5 yrs of hell!! I need to find something to help me build multi time so I can stop being so depressed about what I shoulda done after sept 11th and continue what I've been meant to do. And that is to be an Airline Pilot.

Your input will be very very appreciative if you can help guide me back to the right way, the air ways!

sincerely,
-Al Pugliese

[SkyWest Todd]

Hi Al,
It sounds like you are on your way to getting back in the game by getting current again. That is great!
Without your CFI being renewed, I'm thinking you will probably need to fly cargo or find some type of job like that to boost up your hours. The first few years of flying probably isn't the place to look for fast money. The first year is really hard but it gets better after that.
ATP may be able to help you with your need for multi time. You may want to call 1800-ALL-ATPS and speak to one of the instructors to get the latest new programs that would assist you in building multi time. You can also check out the www.allatps.com website.
How many multi hours do you have? I'm guessing you're probably close to the minimum number of hours to get your Commercial Multi.
Good luck to you and I hope you are able to make it happen.
Let me know if there is anything else I can do to help you.
Todd