Originally Posted by
kalipilot
Hey all. I'm about to hit 1000 pic at my airline and working on a degree. The degree will take about 2 years. I want to end up at JB, and I hear they like to see that you haven't been stagnant with aircraft types. I'm thinking of trying for another LCC while I get the degree done so I can get time in a heavier type. Does this sound like a good strategy for JB or do they not really care?
I think checking other boxes like doing recruiting, management, training dept, and attending job fairs while working on your degree would be better than going to a LCC. But who knows...that's just the impression I've got from talking to various airlines (JB included) at job fairs. I personally wouldn't reset my QOL/seniority/pay to go to allegiant/spirit/etc just to get a fresh type and bigger airplane time (if I didn't want to stay at one of those places forever). I'd continue to get CA pay and PIC time, enjoy your accrued seniority, and hit up job fairs when you can. Plenty of regional captains getting hired here. I also wouldn't want to risk a bust at a new LCC. Not likely, but a consideration. I think the stagnation applies to people who haven't had a training event in greater than 5 years, i.e. those who got stuck in the lost decade, had an airline with a seat lock, etc. If you are just now getting to 1k pic, you probably don't fall into that category and are fine.
That said, if there is a LCC that you'd be happy working at the rest of your life and where your QOL would be similar or better than it is now, I'd rather get a seniority number there in the event my desired airline never calls. I'd rather get "stuck" at an LCC than a regional for 20-30 years if JB never called, or if the interview didn't go well.