Originally Posted by
chrisbnsvs
1) For BTQ hiring, several have said they like to hire folks with CFI - is it for the rating, or are they looking for a certain amount of dual instruction given? Would someone with a wet CFI be competitive to apply?
2) One knock on flying PC12s is that it's single engine, so you don't build multi time. A couple of graybeard, old time pilots have advised me that I might be better off instructing until meeting rATP/ATP minimums and then going to a regional. I'm skeptical, since looking at hiring mins for majors shows they're also interested in total turbine time and turbine PIC time, not just multi time - something I'd think you'd build more of sooner at a place like BTQ than doing pattern work in the right seat as a CFI. Thoughts?
3) I understand commuting isn't a good option for BTQ, but how close is considered local? For example, could a DEN based pilot live in C Springs?
1) People with CFI experience tend to do better through training. Same with the 500-600 TT mark. It would be a bonus if you're a good instructor, stuck around to upgrade, and went into the training department at BTQ, but that's not really the main reason.
2) Turbine PIC isn't everything - there are a few instances of guys going right seat from regionals to right seat at majors, though it's not typical. Those guys have generally done something above and beyond to help other pilots and/or represent aviation. Same deal with guys going from turboprops that skip the regionals - they usually have a boatload of time, have done something else special, and know somebody on top of that.
In terms of regionals, they don't really give a flip where your 1500 TT (or less if applicable) came from anymore. Instruct, fly at BTQ, whatever. Both are good experience, and having done both now, I feel pretty well prepared for wherever I end up in the future. If you're planning on a regional at some point, best plan is to do whatever gets you your ATP mins ASAP - everyone says that, but I wish I would have done a little more of it and a little less of the extra stuff now that it's two years after first getting my CPL now.
3) Colorado Springs would be quite the commute, and combined with the typical DEN schedule you'd probably want to hang yourself. You could crash at the crew house now and then if needed, but you'd likely be wishing you were just in Denver after about a month of that. Schedules aren't very commute-friendly.