Originally Posted by
fr8av8r_66
Please excuse my naivety, and hopefully I won't get flamed by an ERJ full of folks for the thought, but what is the motivation to get a job with a regional carrier... no matter the cost? I'm currently flying freight in the Baron, Navajo and Caravan. I'm building quality Multi and Turboprop PIC time, and making as much, if not more, than a first (or second) year regional FO. If I took a Caravan only run, I could meet SWA turboprop mins within 18 months (they will take Caravan time). If I take the Learjet upgrade path (which I'll be eligable for in about 3 months... 14 months after starting in the props), I'll be logging jet SIC time... and I could be in the left seat logging jet PIC time in a about a year after that. A year to 18 months of jet PIC time should get me an interview with FDX or UPS. Total time to a major... 18 months to 3 years.
What are the current upgrade times at the regionals? Where are guys going after they put their time in?
The benefits of a regional compared to 135 cargo for me:
Quality of life
Travel and other bennies for the family
Safer equipment and operations (I have a family)
Occasional good layovers
Somebody to talk to (this can backfire on occasion
)
121 experience does help with the majors.
Some majors want "large" turbine > 20,000#
A decent fallback position if the majors don't call. Few light cargo operators would make acceptable lifetime emloyers.
SWA might interview you...but they often hire 2-3 in 18. If you're on of the 15 OTHER guys, then what?
FDX or UPS is only going to work if you know someone well placed and do well on the interview.
If you are well connected and are willing to take a real chance, go for it! It might pay off big time. I'm not knocking it, I have done things like that in the past (you only need to score big once
), but at this point in life a good regional is a better "plan B" for me.
Upgrade totally depends on the company and the timing...anywhere from 4 months to 8+ years (eagle). SKW is really low right now, because a lot of guys are going to SWA, FDX, UPS, CAL, etc. Basically people go anywhere that is hiring.
BTW the "single engine turbine PIC" thing is not there for caravan drivers..it's for the Viper guys! I'm willing to bet they are the only ones who get to take advantage of that.