pilot4545

Hi,

I'm close to upgrading on a beech 1900. Should I stick around for the PIC Turbine or go to a regional for seniority and eventual upgrade on a jet?

Thanks

rickair7777

Turbo prop PIC (especially steam gauge) seems to be far less valuable than it used to be as far as majors go. SWA is probably the known exception.

If I had to guess, I'd so go get the jet time...you might even get hired at a legacy with Jet SIC time, but probably not with only 1900 time.

Otterbox

Provided you've got the mins for a regional go to a place like Piedmont where folks are upgrading in a year and start getting that 121/pic box checked sooner.

Sliceback

DL recruiting in 2016 said "highly qualified is 1000 hrs TPIC."

Are you at 6000 hrs TT and no TPIC? Maybe 1000 TPIC has some value.

Are you at 2000 hrs TT? I'd follow Otterbox's recommendation and get on with a AA WO that has a quick upgrade. The number of non 121 qualified guys getting hired is pretty low. I wouldn't have high expectations of being competitive with a non 121 resume that is below the median TT/TPIC/PIC numbers.

Keep in mind the avg civilian OTS new hires is in the 5000-7000 TT range with the 7000 TT guys having approx. 4000 PIC(TPIC unknown but 1000 was considered 'highly qualified in 2016).

So based on the different job choices which one gets you to a median resume the fastest? And does that job option continue to pay off moving forward or is it a dead end alley?

ZippyNH

What are your goals?
Staying with a non FMS single pilot turbo-prop is certainly more interesting flying...
Might make you more $$ in the short to medium term, and you might even like the job better.
Career wise, if you want to fly the heavies, move up and get a seniority number ASAP.
But if it quality of life you want, the choice is not so simple.
Yes...I have flown cargo in Metro 3/ Merlin's IV, along with others....
If you like getting to park within sight of you plane...having days free, and getting to hand fly, then cargo is better.
Move up...you become a systems manager...
Less actual Flying, more planning and managing a crew and the situation.
Less ability to make choices that affect things...
I like to say flying 121 sometimes is more fly flying with a flow chart...
Not a lot of judgement, or when you compare it to 135.
That's what makes it so safe, but also can make it overly routine.
Sure...some like saying I fly for...
Then walking through the terminal in a uniform...

Simply put...do you like to fly cause you like to fly, or because of what it can get you?

155mm

I would definitely consider the Captain upgrade on the Beech 1900! It's "respectable" flight time and great experience!