I am pretty new to this forum but have been searching around to see similar situations and would just like a couple takes on what the recommendations would be for my situation.


I am a 24 year old currently working for a 135 operation currently flying king airs and a lear 45. I have just passed the 1000 hour mark and have my 1000 R-ATP. Currently I have about 300 turbine time and a bit of tpic from my previous job operating a citation ultra, to remove my SOE. I am on track to be at the minimums for left seat in the king airs in about 3-6 months, and have been told I can upgrade pretty much right when I hit the minimums.

The question is though, I am making below industry standard for pay and even after upgrading it's still low. Almost no benefits, and working about 20 days average a month. To fly the Lear I am having to drive 4 hours to a different city and am gone typically a week to 10 days at a time. My company manages the lear, and at this time I am the only one who is operating it as SIC. I do enjoy the flying, and appreciate the opportunities I have been given. I just think the regionals might be the better choice for my career at this point, and my QOL.

So do I stick out the lower pay, fly left seat in the king airs and average about 400-500 hours a year? I would get TPIC more quickly than the regionals, and could a couple years be competitive for say a LCC. Or make the jump to regionals and stick my time out getting 121 time, and have what I think would be a better QOL, around the same pay, and better benefits?

Thanks for any advice.
And I know the grass is always greener on the other side.