Originally Posted by
Frankthetank15
Appreciate the advice. I’m in my late 20’s so I’m not risk adverse by any means but being stuck at a regional is what makes me hesitant to jump ship. I’ve also had a pretty senior United captain say that at a certain point you become “tainted” to the majors for staying at a cargo operator too long, he claimed 7 years. Just need to decide if I want to gamble being stuck at a regional vs stuck doing cargo for longer than I’d like.
I’ve heard that the unwritten HR rule for pilot hiring is 5 years in same aircraft/seat lead one to be considered stale. Once you upgrade, or change aircraft that 5 year counter resets.
If you’re happy at ACMI, stay until you get an opportunity worthy of leaving (non legacy major etc.). Don’t downgrade flying (regional, part 135/91 etc.) and end up getting stuck in something more undesirable than what you’re leaving.