1000 hours TPIC vs Regional
 

Hello everyone! I'm posting this in the Major forum, because I am wondering what option would be my best bet to get to a major.

I'm currently under a contract flying Cessna Caravans on part 135 essential air service routes. My contract ends late summer/early fall 2018. I should be upgrading to captain in February or March. By the time my contract expires, I should be having about 4-600 hours TPIC. I know it's single engine turbo prop time, on an aircraft that is essentially a large 182. But it is still TPIC nonetheless.

My question to y'all, is should I stay at the 135 operation for probably 6 months or so after my contract expires to get that 1000 hours TPIC, or should I go to a regional ASAP? I'm really torn on it, as are most of my coworkers. About half says go to the regional asap, upgrade in 18-24 months, and start building 121 ME Turbojet TPIC. The other half says that an additional 6 months isn't that big of a deal to get 1000 hours TPIC, just to be able to "check that box". Some of my coworkers are even inclined to say that you can go right seat from a regional to right seat at a major if you get the 1000 hours TPIC time at my current company. I think that might be a little far fetched, but I really don't know. That's why I'm asking for everyone's opinions, please and thank y'all. I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and a happy new year!!

I know several FOs who’ve gotten calls from legacies and LCCs without having 1000TPIC... they had no TPIC that I’m aware of. They had between 2 and 5 years on property as an FO and played the game hard to get the opportunities they were presented with though. YMMV.

It seems that the rules of thumb as to what majors are looking for change ever 12 months, or when someone new takes over hiring for a company....

You can skin the cat a couple ways. You should be able to upgrade to CA at any of the AA Wholly Owned regionals within 12-18 months on property. There’s enough attrition coming from the top at them to keep upgrade times low for the foreseeable future. I don’t think sticking it out at your current job for an extra 6 months will hurt you, but I wouldn’t want to get stuck with an additional 12 month training contract for recurrent etc.

Do what you want but don’t stay much longer than it takes to get your 1000hrs TPIC if that’s what you want to do. I don’t think 1000 SE TPIC time will be valued nearly as much as part 121 ME TPIC time though.

Leave.

The FO’s getting hired at majors aren’t getting hired because they have X hrs of Caravan PIC.

GO to the RJs...

I was hired at Dal after 6 years with my regional without TPIC. I have a friend got hired with only 4 years in the RJs.

Just remember, start doing networking and going to job fairs once you feel competitive. Getting hired at the majors/legacies is a job on top of your regular job.

I was in the same position you were and I decided to stay to get 1000 TPIC. Times were different but since you are already logging TPIC I would still stay until you get 1000. I understand the value of seniority but 6 months is not such a long time. It's true that a legacy could hire you without 1000 TPIC. They've also hired without a 4 year degree. But the odds will be against you.
I would get 1000 TPIC and then become an RJ FO. That way, you can start applying as soon as you get 1000 TPIC and keep updating your app as you fly right seat RJ. The chance that you will get a call is slim but at least you will officially meet their minimums (Though I imagine they don't all require TPIC. You'd have to check what the current competitive requirements are.)
If you don't and go straight to RJ FO, you will be able to apply but without 1000 TPIC, your chances of getting called will be slim. (if current competitive requirements require TPIC). Without the TPIC, you will be just like the other thousands of RJ FO's.

I’ve seen the term “crew environment” TPIC for getting hired at a couple of the majors..

I was in the same boat and moved on. Glad I did not stay as clearly a 135 Caravan driver is not as valuable as 121 experience.

Go to a 121 carrier. Upgrade times are pretty short.

If you’re a young guy, and will end up in the top 1000 at a major, a six month delay will cost you $200-250K.

Single pilot, small SEL, TPIC, non 121, isn’t a big plus for an applicant applying to a major airline.

This *2. When they SAY TPIC, what they mean, is turbojet crew environment TPIC.
Caravan time isn't what they are looking for there.

I'm 23 with no college degree, if that helps at all. Yes. I will get my degree. I know that's a must. I am currently looking at/researching a few online universities. My plan is to get the degree online while I fly, whether that's at my current airline or a regional.

And I understand what everyone is saying about a 121 crew environment. I'm not trying to make excuses, but we do operate our Caravans with two pilots. Yes, I know it's single pilot certified, but it is in our OpSpecs for two pilots.

Let me ask this. Maybe as a "compromise" of sorts, do you think I should get 500 PIC at my current operator? I should have about 5-6 months on my contract after I upgrade, so worst case scenario, it would only take an additional month after my contract to get 500 PIC.