Originally Posted by
Otterbox
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.
The conventional wisdom pre-covid was five years. That became an issue for lost gen people who upgraded and then had nowhere else to go at a single fleet regional, or if their life and family was at a domicile with only one type.
I'd assess the risk of being in that boat will only increase going forward... the ERJ is now THE regional aircraft, the Q400's are gone and the CRJ is out of production and dwindling.
You might be able to circumvent the issue by buying a type rating. Maybe. Types are more valuable with actual line operating experience.
To avoid any confusion I'll caveat that this does not apply to military aviators, since they typically spend their entire career post-wings on one type.