Originally Posted by
What
You talked to Lakes, you didn't get a job offer! SKW might not even call you to interview, you never know. If you can go get hired at a 121 outfit (make sure you can provide for your family, that's the most important thing) then go for it. Check other places out as well, I hear ExpressJet is hiring! You don't want to be jumping from regional to regional, those are lateral moves and you want to avoid them, starting over at another regional for better pay and a Jet will suck (unless there is no better choice)! If the QOL at Lakes is something that you and your wife are questioning, don't do it. I hope you and your wife find something that both of you are happy with!
You are correct. Maybe nobody will call me. I should have made a blanket disclaimer noting that it all hinges on my optimistic outlook of getting an offer from GLA and/or SKW/CPZ (someday). I also know that you can't ever 'plan' a career in the airlines but it never helps to think things through - like playing chess. Come up with 6 different moves all based on what piece the other guy moves.
I am at 500TT/100ME/75 INST - which is awfully close to SKW mins if I get 500 more hours. I know I can get ExpressJet, GoJet, etc with lower mins but the bases are a hard commute. My focus on SKW is that they are financially stable, have never furloughed a pilot, and have an MSP base that is fairly junior (all good things taking into consideration that bases close and change all the time).
The wife is all for me making a move to either be a CFI/Aerial Photo Pilot or to a 121 carrier. I am trying to get in before the HR5900 rule in 07/13 so that I can be in a good spot when the majors start to hire over the next 7-8 years.
GLA is a good option to get the 121 experience, ME experience, and hopefully the TPIC hours I'd need to get into a major.
Basically, I see I have two options.
1. CFI/Photo for the next 6-8 months making $17/hour and hope and pray SKW calls when I am at the bare mins (although I've heard from their recruiters they like to see experience in 121 carriers or other T-Prop aircraft).
2. Work hard and shoot for GLA, grin and bear the $17/hour and crank out the hours from my 500 now to whatever I am at after 15 months then either upgrade at GLA or move to a CPZ/SKW airline and get some jet time.
I will start throwing apps when I finish up my master's in August and see what happens. Maybe if I have a good spring/summer flying between now and then I will be close to 1000TT and will qualify for a bunch of airlines and go to the best fit of whatever ones call....