Originally Posted by
BeardedFlyer
Hello all,
I'm a low timer, 450 TT with multi, comm, inst, and will have the CFI within the next month or so. My career goal is to get on with a major (Alaska would be nice) which means I need to get on with a regional as soon as possible; Skywest or Horizon preferably and unlike some of the other regionals right now their mins are still up around 1000TT so I need to build but I'm wondering if not all piston single engine hours are equal in the eyes of a 121. I know there are a lot of adamant supporters of flight instructing out there but would 500hrs of instructing in 152's really look better than say... 500hrs flying a piper cherokee for a 135 VFR operation? What about instructing vs. banner towing, or land surveying, or any of those other non X-C VFR type jobs?
I would really appreciate any input on this from those out there who are wiser than me. Thanks!
You can do all of those jobs and don't get violated. I did banner towing, 135 VFR and Flight instructing at the same time for 2 years.
I was fun and it was rewarding. Don't look to get hired in a regional too soon. Enjoy your time, is not bad to have Shiny Jet Syndrome, but you should build your PIC time and your experience before going to a regional.
I got hired in eagle with 1,400 and training was a bit difficult cause I never flew something bigger than a aztec. I've heard low timers are getting busted fast and you don't want to get fired of a 121. Is not good for your career.
And remember....in 135 VFR or any other operation you are the PIC, so if the weather is not good just tell your boss you're not going PERIOD. Don't let the fear of getting fired push you into some bad weather. You're the PIC and you're the one flying the plane.
So, in my recommendation get at least 1,000hrs before getting hired, even if places like eagle, that are hiring with 500tt/50me/250pic. Or as I did, get all your ATP time requirement and then move on.
Get your CFI, and have fun flying the little planes, cause as soon as you get into a airline you'll be standardize and won't be able to do fun stuff cause you have passengers in the back.