Originally Posted by
otter
Scenic was fun and a good place for me to build some time. This was a few years ago when most regional's wanted 1000+ hours. It was 121 so it looked good on a resume. However, with regionals the way they are right now, I can't see a very good reason to go there. When I left, pay was 13.50 a flight hour and half of that to sit on the ground. The otter is not as easy to fly as one would think. It's a monster to land with a good crosswind. When I was there the saying was "otters don't go off the end of a runway they go the side". The pilots are great, your home every night, but think twice about going there right now. Anything else, let me now.
LOL! Let's not SCARE the guy out of it!
The otter is great fun to fly (part of the reason is that you actually get to fly it) and it isn't hard. Heck, it might be the last thing I ever fly that doesn't have an autopilot. It does require you to pay attention to proper technique in crosswinds but I've put about a thousand hours into it over the last year and haven't been more than about 10' off centerline. That was mostly during my first couple of months.
Friday I'll be making my last flight with the company that just purchased Scenic and here's why:
With the regionals all becoming so much more accessible, it would appear that the nationals and majors are looking for a little more than just straight VFR over the ditch. The point is, if you can get yourself flying PIC out in the 121 (IFR) system with a regional carrier (and you want to ultimately get on with a major) then do it.
The Canyon VFR flying is great stick and rudder stuff but you will soon find your IFR/ATC system skills lacking. We simply don't spend enough time in that part of the sky. On the other hand, if you just want to build hand flying skills, turbine time, and have some good clean fun, then go for it.
Among other things, my buddy (DitchDog) and I are both on our way over to SkyWest for this very reason. VFR twin turbine is great but it simply doesn't cover all of the bases. Even if Scenic doesn't go 135, they really don't do much airline style 121 flying in the traditional sense these days. If nothing else, there's very little IFR time.
-DH (The "pilot" in Pilotswife4)
PS. My wife started this account to answer some early questions about our transition to SKW, (thanks for the help everyone) I just saw this and thought I might be able to give a little back.