Originally Posted by
f16jetmech
so i've read pretty much the entire thread here... but just want to clarify. How much flying can one expect on each airframe? I know its fly to your outstation and fly back. so 1-1.5 each leg and than back? Including the cheiftan? And is cheiftan still 6+ month'ish upgrade? Also, i'm sure DFW is a pretty senior hub, and turbine only... but what would the likelihood of getting a dfw base on the 99 be? And how long? Especially with a year from now or so with all the hiring going on?
Flight sequences involve 2 to 6 or more flight hours per day; it varies widely with the trip you bid; the high flight-hour-per-day trips are relatively rare. Turnover in the Part 135 cargo business is expected to accelerate over the next several years, which is likely to shorten the time before you can successfully bid to transition into larger equipment. As to how long you'd need to wait for a BE-99 bid at DFW, it's anybody's guess -- depends upon when the current bid holders move on, whether BE-99 lines of flying are added or canceled at that base, seniority of other bidders, etc. For the first few years, you're better off to move up where and when you can, without being too concerned about the domicile. After you've got a few years' seniority and are captain in an type-rated airplane, then look for home-sweet-home.