Originally Posted by
scrappie
I just went and got my 1st class med, did a BFR and IPC.
You may need more than just currency, most (but maybe not all) regionals will want some recent experience as well (100-200 last 12 months or something like that)
Originally Posted by
scrappie
I may have an opportunity to interview with the following:
Cape Air
Planesense
Expressjet
Would working for any of these airlines make me more attractive to a major?
Glass/jet time will be better than prop time. That wasn't necessarily true in the past, but that seems to be the way things are headed now.
Originally Posted by
scrappie
Am I too old? I was thinking of a 4-5 yr plan then apply to majors. Would they even consider hiring a 50 yr old?
Yes, no problem getting hired. The question is will you progress fast enough to get out of the low-seniority dues-paying phase in time to enjoy QOL. It might work out if can get on with a major which is going to experience high turnover...but a lot of that is going to occur in the next five years so you'll miss out on some of the opportunity. The best time to be applying to majors since 1999 is RIGHT NOW.
Originally Posted by
scrappie
Would making a career with any of these pay off?
IMO, no. But people do it sometimes. I would not consider any regional to be stable in the long-run...the business model is going to evolve rapidly (or implode) in the near future.
Originally Posted by
scrappie
If I am fortunate enough to get my foot in the door with any of these which would be the best choice?
Several factors to consider (location, upgrade time), but XJT is most likely the safest bet.
Single-engine TPIC time will not get you hired at a major...unless it's in a fighter.
Originally Posted by
scrappie
Do major airlines hire guys right from light twins like Cape Air flys?
Absolutely not, unless they had quality turbine time from a previous gig.