Originally Posted by
John Carr
Although the situation that Zap, and MYSELF were in post 9/11 is MUCH LESS LIKELY NOW, what he's saying DID happen.
Post 9/11, the places hiring were AirTran (500 TPIC required), as well as SW (1000 TPIC/73 type), FedEx (1000TPIC), UPS (1000TPIC), and JB. I don't remember JB's requirement then, but you WEREN'T getting without TPIC, never mind a blue dart. Atlas back then, 1000 TPIC also.
Plus Vanguard, Eastwind, ProAir, ATA, National, Midwest... and a bunch of others that didn't require it on paper - but wouldn't hire you without it. Why should they? There were thousands in line who were better qualified.
I don't think we are as far from that happening as John does either. One more geopolitical "event" that results in substantially less demand for flying or substantial increase in oil prices and there could very easily be mass furloughs again as airlines use force majeur to abrogate contracts and restructure their operations. Post 9/11 there were thousands upon thousands of furloughs less than 3 years following a boom just like this one.
Not saying if I were an RJ FO I wouldn't take a major airline job today, but I'd be apprehensive about taking a stepping stone job, and if I was CLOSE to an upgrade (say within a year or so) I would sit tight and get the time.
Not having it (along with some not-great choices) cost me a decade of career progression. Wouldn't wish that on anyone.