Bumper

Considering flying a metro on demand 14 on 14 off schedule which I like. My current situation have over 4,000 with about 1000 multi with about 500 turbine single but been out of the real IFR/135 world for awhile just flying VFR and not much time last two years. Not getting responses for SIC jet jobs (exclude the regionals) Just wondering a PIC metro job would help open a few doors later on down the road either jet 135 or bigger freight company.

I know its an older airplane two pilot crew no auto pilot company has been straight forward with good and bad. Thanks !

JohnBurke

It's always easier to get a job when you have a job, and many jobs want to know if you're current, often in multi turbine equipment, and instrument flying.

I think the relevant factor for you will not be the type of aircraft so much as the fact that you're flying in the system. Frankly, you'll be a lot more proficient coming out of a metro than something where you monitor the autopilot from a state of half consciousness.

Like exercise, it's good for you.

eman

I Agree with the above.

Adding to that; the metro will give you some great experience and get you/keep you current. Once you get in your groove, flying it and meeting people at fbo's or in your networking endeavours, it will make you stand out. That plane takes some work to fly either single or dual pilot as a PIC, and the experience will help you land the jet-type job you seek.

I flew the metro as PIC ( I hope you have a PIC opportunity) and there has not been one person who looked at my qualifications and didn't consider me a cut above the rest. Not bragging, but that's the truth. Anyone can be an SIC in a plane, follow instructions and do the work, but it takes knowledge and flying skills/instrument skills to handle that plane in hard IFR and especially when the crap hits the fan and they're depending on you to get the flight done within ops-specs and regulations.

And to reiterate what he wrote...you'll be current in a multi-turbine aircraft and it WILL help you when you approach anyone who you ask for an interview in 135/91 jet ops. That has been my experience, for what it's worth...

It may just be that I have presented my qualifications to pilots who have flown or know about the metro (maybe old timers by now?), but it has helped me. And you'll have that turbine PIC box checked...no one has ever asked me if it was jet or turboprop but when they do ask, just say it was the metro and they won't doubt your abilities.

Look for jet time on the side and get what you can while you can is my advice...everything else will fall into place. You have quite a bit of time in my opinion...so this will help

If I were you; and I have been in your place but at lower time...use what you have and learn to sell yourself, talk yourself up and back it up, and you'll get that jet job. In the end, you'll have some better experience to present to those you hassle for an interview at the very least

Bumper

Thanks for the responses. Some of the jobs I applied for only required 1500 not sure if they just want lower time guys= lower pay or my lack of recent time. Also wondering if after a few years in the metro if say Frontier, Jet Blue would be an option as well as corporate jobs or are the airlines strictly looking for RJ glass time.

JohnBurke

Glass time isn't that big of a deal.

Being current in multi turbine equipment, however, is important, especially when going for that next job in turbine multi equipment.

eman

I honestly think that they prefer low time pilots precisely so they can pay them less when it comes to 135/91 ops...from my experience in job searches and networking as much as I've been doing for 3 years it has always been the case. They are cheap, period. And they know they can only get away with that by offering jobs to guys that a. Really need a job (low time or unemployed) or b. Those that don't have the aviation street smarts to smell b.s a mile away...again, low time or inexperienced pilots.

Also, they only require 1500 but what kind of resumes are they receiving?? Probably higher than that, competition is always fierce, so do as much as you can to stand out...like being multi turbine current with some turbine pic.

I had a job offer this year to fly a Westwind as SIC in part 135. Pay was mid-high 30's, no expectation of a schedule or a personal life, no benefits, no type training guarantee -just talk of going to flight safety, and a 2 year contract; not to mention it's not a very common airplane -so how useful would that type have been? Pretty crappy if you ask me, but if you're a low timer who can handle all that and make a sacrifice, it may pay off as it did for one of their young pilots.

Had another job offer for corporate CL604 that seemed okay with pay/benefits but when I pushed the question of type training they always said it would be 12 months or sooner (but completely up to the owner). This was such a hot topic for them that the captain flat out said to me "this is why I prefer younger pilots than you and with less experience, they don't ask questions and take whatever I offer them"

I don't think you're a low timer, not from what I'm reading about people getting hired at JetBlue, frontier, spirit, and you'll be in a better position when you are current in turbine and some more jet time in your logbook; which you will have to chase down to achieve without going to a regional.

Whichever job you take in the end is up to you, if you can afford it and deal with the hardships it eventually pays off. It's no different than being a CFI for years or getting shafted at a regional; it's all a trade off and a sacrifice to reach the top. But I don't advocate taking jobs that just keep us all down, there's plenty of people willing to cut anyone's throat for some time.

Bumper

I have a few offers else where, 11 on 3 off 35,000 a year and I had to pay for my Lear 35 type where do I sign LOL. The down side I see with metro job is the training contract. They were burned before with guys getting a type and leaving.

eman

Sounds rough. Been there...and it's tough to say no when you really need a job.

If you want to continue trying for a metro job, consider Ameriflight. But sounds like you've got options. A contract isn't so bad if you can handle the job and the company treats you okay. Either way, you're gonna take some months to get at least 1000pic (which I'm guessing is your min goal). Any contract over 12months is prob too much in my opinion, unless it's a Gulfstream, challenger, hawker big citation lol.

Reva had been hiring for a while, they're prob still on the orange site. Air ambulance Lear 35 flying; last I remember no contract either but they may have changed that. They called me without having jet time on two occasions.

Out of curiousity, what is your turbine single time in? I bet if you got current you could leverage that.

Good luck and don't give up! If you do, don't wait til your bank account is drained lol

bozobigtop

Jet equipment, Glass/FMS systems are big with many airlines in which your problem will be flying multi turbine/turboprop equipment and no advanced avionics. The competition is flying various types of jet equipment. These are the reasons why military, regionals, and business/charter jet pilots look so good. I have seen many pilots who had the above experience but were not current and were hired anyway.

Bumper

I am not stuck on flying the metro it just happened to be what they fly. My single turbine is c208 and pa 46 I don't like a 18 month the training contract but with my side business the 14/14 schedule is ideal and I can do contract flying on days off or pick up extra days for extra cash. I am planning on getting multi and instrument current before I go to FSI so I don't get my butt handed to me since it been awhile. Doing the PIC single pilot which will get me my ATP as well. Any insight about FSI in the metro ? Thanks !!