I’ve never been accused of being normal. Most of the time, I’m at good with that, often even proud of the fact. But sometimes it sucks. Especially when my logic cannot wrap around a given situation. Such is the case today.
As I shared already, I recently got set up with the local flight school. On the day everything was set up, the CFI who is also tasked as coordinator decided who I’d train with, and said she’d talk to him later that afternoon after his flight to confirm. I never heard back from her, so I reached out at the end of the day. She responded that she hadn’t had the opportunity to talk to him, but would “soon”.
I decided to write an introductory email to the instructor using the email address listed for him on the school website’s contact page.
I heard nothing the next day, either from the coordinator or the CFI.
The following day, I contacted the coordinator again. She said that the instructor had told her that I emailed him. I acknowledged this and said that he didn’t respond to the email so I wasn’t sure of my status. I then asked if I was clear to schedule time with him, or at least call him and discuss scheduling. She told me to stand by.
Four minutes later, she told me that he is taking some vacation time during the holidays and should be in touch next week. So he’s available enough to talk to her, but can’t be bothered to reply directly to me even if it’s with that very same message. Two days earlier when I sent the damn email. That he told her about already.
I don’t understand how that is okay. Especially when
- He’s already booked almost solid all next week, and
- I was assured when I gave them my block deposit that they had instructor availability to get me the three lessons per week and the training/experience required for the rating within the three months that I need.
As luck would have it, less than an hour later an email that I sent over a week ago finally garnered a response. It was from the manager of the first flight school that I flew with earlier this year. I’d asked if they had someone skinny who would be willing to train me in my plane. She had follow-up questions from the school owner.
He wanted to know who was doing the work and exactly what all was being done. I guess there was some concern about the safety of their CFIIs. She indicated that he was concerned as to whether the work was being done by a reputable shop, by some fly-by-night mechanic, or diety forbid, by me. I assured them that it was all being handled by the very reputable avionics shop at TTA. She seemed happy with that answer, but ultimately it’s the owner who has to approve. Now I wait to see if any of the three lightest IIs on staff are interested.
In the mean time, I’m not going to reach out to the outfit on field at TTA. I’m going to let this asshole take his time getting in touch with me. Hopefully by the time he does, I’ll have commitment from the folks at 2GC for a CFII whenever my bird is ready. In that case, I’ll fly the 182 and gain experience, checking off some of the boxes towards the requirements to take the IRA checkride.
But the split second 045 is done and I’ve given her a thorough post-maintenance wring out, I’m transitioning to 2GC and finishing up there. I should have more than enough time to be able to rent the 182 solo whenever I want to use up the rest of my deposit, but won’t have to pay $190 per hour for all of the forty required hours.
And if 2GC says no, then I’ll already be on my way and will just suck it up, deal with what is in my opinion very unprofessional behavior, pay the aforementioned $190, and finish my rating in the 182.
Grumpy 