Originally Posted by
TopshelfAK
Here's where I'm at:
Currently building time for ATP mins. I've got 1100 hours. I have the opportunity at 2000 hours to get a Honda jet type rating and ATP paid for and build time up as PIC at a job in Hawaii.
Or keep building time for an eventual class date at a regional airline within the year and put the time in at a regional.
My main question is, will majors such as United, Delta, or AA hire without previous 121 experience? Or will JetBlue, Frontier, Spirit?
Yes, but it will almost certainly take longer. You'll typically build time slower, and the majors may give preference to regional pilots with less hours so you may need even more flight time.
Originally Posted by
TopshelfAK
I keep hearing conflicting info. All of the younger regional guys think they won't hire without previous 121 experience. Some retired Major Captains and other people say it doesn't matter as long as it's turbine PIC.
The younger guys know how it is, because they are living it.
The older major pilots know how it was in 1985. Back then there were no RJ's, just a relatively small number of commuter turboprops, so someone with corporate jet experience at least knew how to fly a jet which was more than you might say about a prop pilot. Today the "commuter" pilots have 121 and glass turbojet experience.
Majors prefer 121 today for several reasons:
Training: Most traditional corporate pilots experience training from the perspective of a customer, not a candidate. Either they are paying for it, or their boss is. I would assume fractionals are more like airlines but not even sure about that. There's not as much pressure as typical 121 programs.
Lifestyle/culture: Regional pilots already know the drill. They are not going to be "surprised" and decide that 121 isn't for them after six months. The only thing that changes for a regional pilot going to a good major is that his pay doubles and he gets more days off.
Records/History: Regional pilots have a long paper trail, makes it easier on HR.
Recruiting: They need pilots at the regionals. Hiring regional pilots at a good clip encourages folks to go that route.
Now with all that said, the pending retirements mean that the majors (all of them) can no longer afford to pass on competent, experienced pilots so there will be opportunities for all. Like I said it will just take longer.
Also... for the majors, you'll want large-cabin bizjet experience. Small plane experience (slowtation, hondajet, pilatus, van, etc) probably isn't going to do the trick.