So, I peruse these boards pretty regularly. It seems as though getting hired with just the minimums shouldn't be an issue if you don't have any incidents, accidents, DUI, etc, etc. - is that a fair assumption to make ?

Why I ask, I am a helicopter guy with almost 1500 hours and the helicopter market sucks really bad right now. Traditionally a 1000 PIC Helicopter got you a good job. Now its 1500 - 2000 PIC and 500 - 1000 turbine ! Where as traditionally in the helicopter world when you reached 1000 PIC the "turbine transition" was provided by your first turbine job.

So I am also PSEL rated and I can use the rest of my GI Bill and deployment money to get the airplane ratings and hours needed to meet the minimums. The wife is VERY nervous about me spending all our money and me not getting a job. So again, do the Regionals really need people so badly that minimums plus fogging a mirror and wearing pants to the interview gets you a job ?

I know no one has a crystal ball and can tell me the future. I was hoping maybe some industry recruiters or otherwise knowledgeable people could confirm or deny what I think the market looks like to me. Possibly 3 months from now ?

I have talked to the recruiters at one Regional that I was interested in and they will give me full credit for all my helicopter time. When I asked about how competitive I would be against an all airplane guy and just having the minimums, he said 'you'd be surprised'.

Sorry for the long rambling post, just trying to get down possibly relevant information. I've been working towards doing this since July. Lots of problems with VA converting my GI Bill to Post 9/11 and just getting a school to return a phone call !

Thanks, Jeff