Originally Posted by
IrishFlyer757
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....
Seems like you have a good head on your shoulders, but I grantee you the regional airline industry will look totally different in 6 months!
Eagle in Bankruptcy
Pinnacle is Bankrupt without filling
Republic is not doing so good and we have to see what happens with Frontier
Tran States is losing airplanes, GoJet is hiring and apparently can't staff the airline
MESA struggling and loosing airplanes as it emerges from Bankruptcy
SKW is the shining star but they are not doing as good as before the purchase of the other regionals (ASA/ExpressJet)
*The rest of the smaller regionals are not doing great either
Much change will happen as it always does, but SKW is a good company and they seem to treat their employees well.
All the regionals would love people with Turbine time and 121/135 experience, but as the supply decreases you will see less and less people who have the above experience. Currently there aren't many regional pilots on furlough so there aren't many candidates whoa re looking for a regional job with the above experience, now if Eagle drops a few hundred guys that could be a different story.
Keep your options open, maintain a clean record (mins could change any moment). Eagle went from 1000TT 200ME to just requiring a pulse in a matter of 8 months!!!