New Instructors in Houston please read

[jkatona]

Hello

It is very difficult trying to find a decent range that will allow a new instructor to teach, so here is my idea for all those out there that are serious about this business:

What if we formed a group of dedicated, serious, like-minded Instructors to form our own Range?

If we put our heads together and do some research...I think it would be a great idea!

Thoughts????


JK/ Cypress Texas

armamerica@gmail.com

[speedsix]

...would a range me more likely to welcome you if you had a drawing and gave a year's membership at that range to the student whose name you drew...maybe every 20 students or, if you're moving that many students, maybe monthly, in addition to the range fees on the days your students qualified...

[smoothoperator]

I think you might run into a problem with most members (instructors) wanting to use the range at the same time but good luck with your efforts.

[sjfcontrol]

Hello

It is very difficult trying to find a decent range that will allow a new instructor to teach, so here is my idea for all those out there that are serious about this business:

What if we formed a group of dedicated, serious, like-minded Instructors to form our own Range?

If we put our heads together and do some research...I think it would be a great idea!

Thoughts????


JK/ Cypress Texas

armamerica@gmail.com

Hmmm, and exactly where in this great state would you put that range? A range for instructors placed in Houston would do me little good, as the class would then be at least 18 hours long. 10 hours of instruction + 8 hours round-trip travel --which I would think the students might complain about...

Also, I'm guessing that you have no idea what it takes to open a range. Indoor ranges start at around $2M, and go up from there. Outdoor might be cheaper depending on the price of land, but are subject to weather issues, and neighbor complaints. And are usually not conveniently located unless the classroom is on site, and then we'd have scheduling issues and added construction costs.

But hey! Other than all that, let's go for it!

Oh, and by the way, it's not necessarily NEW instructors that are refused, but any "outside" instructors.

[WildBill]

Oh, and by the way, it's not necessarily NEW instructors that are refused, but any "outside" instructors.

So the trick is to get on the "inside" with someone who has connections with a range.

[TexasGal]

Wow, this is sad to hear the ranges in Houston are so nasty about shutting out instructors. People seem to be nicer up here in the DFW area.

[sjfcontrol]

Wow, this is sad to hear the ranges in Houston are so nasty about shutting out instructors. People seem to be nicer up here in the DFW area.

Maybe in the "FW" part. The only public range within range of McKinney is Bullet Trap in Plano, and they have a BIG SIGN on the front of the counter you approach when entering the facility telling all outside instructors to get lost. Unless you have an "in" with somebody with a private range on some ranch, you're out of luck.

Speaking of traveling to a range, what would all of you consider to be the maximum workable drive time from the classroom to the range? My guess is that 15 minutes one way would be borderline. That even puts Bullet Trap at or beyond the limit. Can't count travel time toward the 10 hours minimum.

[JustMe]

Wow, this is sad to hear the ranges in Houston are so nasty about shutting out instructors. People seem to be nicer up here in the DFW area.

Maybe in the "FW" part. The only public range within range of McKinney is Bullet Trap in Plano, and they have a BIG SIGN on the front of the counter you approach when entering the facility telling all outside instructors to get lost. Unless you have an "in" with somebody with a private range on some ranch, you're out of luck.

Speaking of traveling to a range, what would all of you consider to be the maximum workable drive time from the classroom to the range? My guess is that 15 minutes one way would be borderline. That even puts Bullet Trap at or beyond the limit. Can't count travel time toward the 10 hours minimum.

Drive north to Sherman instead to Red River Firearms.

[sjfcontrol]

Wow, this is sad to hear the ranges in Houston are so nasty about shutting out instructors. People seem to be nicer up here in the DFW area.

Maybe in the "FW" part. The only public range within range of McKinney is Bullet Trap in Plano, and they have a BIG SIGN on the front of the counter you approach when entering the facility telling all outside instructors to get lost. Unless you have an "in" with somebody with a private range on some ranch, you're out of luck.

Speaking of traveling to a range, what would all of you consider to be the maximum workable drive time from the classroom to the range? My guess is that 15 minutes one way would be borderline. That even puts Bullet Trap at or beyond the limit. Can't count travel time toward the 10 hours minimum.

Drive north to Sherman instead to Red River Firearms.

37 miles -- 41 minutes one way.

[tacticool]

How much are you offering to rent their range for an hour or two?

[sjfcontrol]

How much are you offering to rent their range for an hour or two?

Who are you talking to?

If me, I wouldn't need the ENTIRE range, only a handfull of lanes, and probably less than two hours. I'd be willing to pay a reasonable amount. You offering?

[croc870]

Texas Handgun Academy in Garland is open to outside instructors.

[sjfcontrol]

Texas Handgun Academy in Garland is open to outside instructors.

Yes, and I've taken students there. It's 26 miles and 30 minutes away one-way (assuming you're already on 75 and don't have traffic issues thru the 75/635 corridor (currently 42 minutes)). It's also quite expensive. $20/student for a 20 minute proficiency test seems a bit high to me. I've been at outdoor private ranges that charge $5.00/student. I would expect to pay more for an indoor range, but probably not 4x as much.

Anyway, if it were closer, it would be workable. It's workable now for very small classes where I basically transport everybody myself. Then nobody gets lost and we all get there at the same time. I just don't think it'd be workable for a moderately-sized class of strangers.

Nobody has answered my question as to the maximum range travel time they'd feel comfortable with in their classes.

[smoothoperator]

Texas Handgun Academy in Garland is open to outside instructors.

Yes, and I've taken students there. It's 26 miles and 30 minutes away one-way (assuming you're already on 75 and don't have traffic issues thru the 75/635 corridor (currently 42 minutes)).

And a much longer drive from Houston!

[JustMe]

[
37 miles -- 41 minutes one way.

I laugh at people that think we are WAY out there!! I drive to Farmer's Branch every week for chorus rehearsal and it takes me less time to get there than people who live in the metroplex! And I get home faster than they do!