Originally Posted by
rickair7777
I and many others had a similar career progression. But I made more as a CFI (and had better QOL) than I did my first 2-3 years at a regional. No need to be so desperate to move along...it's not like anyone else is going to get ahead of you in the the game...they all need 1500 hours too.
Good plan. Not that I have anything against the Navy, but I would apply to ANG/AFR units too (and maybe AD AF). ANG/AFR would be my first choice since you can accrue airline seniority while in the guard, and you also know what aircraft you will be flying when you sign up. The navy has a lot of helos, which are not the greatest path to an airline career if that is your long-term plan.
I am fine with what I have now (granted it is only about 9k a year) and as far as my personal situation if I have to wait it out so be it, I know my OP made it seem like I was complaining but I am honestly not. I'm aware of what it takes and used to take to get on at a regional and I am committed to building the time. The only thing that honestly worries me if I do progress down a road towards a regional is the fact that there are people more qualified than I am for my job, and I'd really hate to get kicked to the back of the line for a few years.
I elected Navy due to family ties. Military flying has always been something I considered, I chose to pursue it because I feel if I don't know I will look back and say what if. I have considered guard duty but seeing as I dumped my 4 years of college into an Aerospace degree and I have had a hard time landing a decent paying job that also has to factor into it. If I am selected I'm just gonna try and keep my head in the books, and work my tail off.
Originally Posted by
Lowlevel
Of course, people are being misled! It's the business of suckering people into "0 time to Airline Pilot" programs. Look at the past two years, thousands of pilots being furloughed at regional airlines, but the schools kept up the advertising to get people to pay huge amounts of money, promising that regional right seat job after you graduated. And...some still fell for that advertising! If they researched the industry, and used common sense, would they have spent the money for a school that got them nothing at the end?
You always hear, "Back in the day you had to work as a CFI, banner tow, etc. then fly Part 135 cargo in a light twin, or maybe get a King Air job, to then have enough time to get an airline job."
Well, that's the way I, along with many others, did it. And you know what, I think I am a much safer pilot because of the experience I gained. When I finally got an airline job, the mins were 1100/100, and I had around 2500/250. When I see someone with 240 hrs getting hired and doing the same job, I think "good for him/her", but I also worry about WHEN that person gets into a situation that may lead to a very bad outcome (it's when, not if). Hopefully, they will be with an experienced captain that can help them through it. I hear from captains that have had to act as "Sudo-checkairman" because of the very inexperienced/low time FO's, and they all say the same thing, "I'm not paid to be a checkairman, I'm not a babysitter, I don't want to have to worry every second that this FO is flying, a guy with 250 hours has no right being in this cockpit...."
Hopefully, this bill will be good for the airline industry and it's safety. Also, we just may get a few more pennies added to our meager pay (wishful thinking).
I agree with you, it surprises me the number of students that are not aware of the bill. Their heads are full of out of college to the airlines. I am keeping my eyes open for and hoping to find a 135/King Air job, thinking maybe since the Regionals are picking up hiring a bit that a few might open but most of the ones across so far have higher requirements than most Regionals. Still might get lucky though.
Originally Posted by
mshunter
Most people that came before you had 2500+ hours, turbine PIC time, etc. How do you think they felt when they had a guy with 250hrs, 50 multi, and had just climbed out of a C172 commercial ride sitting in the right seat. It's all about perspective. Hopefully, this is a trend that will bring things to where they were 25 years ago. When being a pilot was still a good job to have.
P.S. I am one of those pilots who works for a living paying off those thousands of dollars of debt. It's my own fault, and I have come to accept it. You should to.
Again, not complaining (I know it seems like that in my OP due to poor wording right before bed), but I do know what it takes to go 121. The shear number of people that have no idea of the requirements is what strikes me, you have so many in training that are all thinking "Man if I just hit 500hrs I am gonna get picked up" only to find out when they apply they are 1/3 of the way there and all the while the places that are feeding them this garbage are getting new students left and right with promises of out the door and into the right seat, it's gotta break somewhere.