AirTractorPilot

I'm 52 years old, flying full time but don't think I can handle another 15 years of it. I would love to finish at the Airlines but it only makes sense if I could spend 10 years at a major. That means I would need to make it to a major in the next 3 years. 8000+ hrs TT, 7000+ hrs TPIC, 3000 of which is aircraft over 12,500. But I only have 50 hrs multi. I know I need to go regional but once I get 1000 121 time will the other hrs speed up the process. I know no one has a crystal ball just looking for opinions. Also if a regional has flow through is it strictly on seniority or would my 8000 hrs help?

rickair7777

Flow is strictly seniority (I think there are experience requirements, but everybody should meet that by the time their number comes up). Flow will take seven years or so, but that might be the path of least resistance for you.

Your overall time is relatively light for majors, unless you're interested in third tier majors. Plenty of 8000 hour RJ CA's with 5000 121 jet who are not getting called. If you want to shoot for off-the-street, you might need to upgrade and rack up some 121 PIC. The prop experience might give you bonus points with one or two, but you'll need some ME jet too.

Also... legacy/SWA/FDX/UPS payscales are more lucrative than just then hourly rate, typically 15% or better defined contribution (not match, contribution), and other softpays. You can probably multiply hourly rate x1.5 - ish. So you might not need ten years.

Sliceback

DL 2014/2015 new hire data had civilian experience of 7600 TT and 4000 PIC. So that’s in the ballpark. Lack of 121 is a killer. Lack of MEL is a killer.

Three to five years might make you competitive but guys getting hired at that age have more impressive experience (lots more TT, 121, multiple type ratings, large jet PIC, etc)

Learflyer

Between 40-50 pilots left my large 135 company to go to all of the majors. Most of them did NOT have 121 time. Lack of 121 is not a deal breaker.

rickair7777

How many had military backgrounds? That's the fastest ticket to a legacy regardless.

"Majors" is a pretty broad term these days, there are third tier majors that are worse than many regionals. Big-4/Legacies are not (yet) scooping up 135 people on a wholesale basis unless they are imminently qualified.

Lack of ME jet time is the OP's real problem.

Learflyer

I'm including SWA as a "major." Most of them went there. Less than half had military backgrounds. 10-15 went to UAL from here. Of those, again, about half had 121. Less than half were military. The degree is still the huge winner.

galaxy flyer

Just an observation, but typecasting isn’t just for Hollywood. An airline recruiter is going to make (jump?) to some conclusions regarding your resume. RJ time might wash the Ag stink off, might not, also.

GF

AirTractorPilot

"Ag Stink"? Well several friends of mine have recently went to SW straight from Ag. but let's jump to conclusions about me. I fly an airplane that is larger and heavier than a KA 350. Flying said airplane 180 mph under wires while properly placing chemical where it needs to be takes multitasking like you have never done.
Pulling 4.5 gs every 30 seconds for 8 hrs a day is taking its toll that's the only reason I'm looking for something else. I fly around 900 hrs a yr and made 272k last year. I'm not embarrassed By that stink.

dustrpilot

I’m in the same boat as you. I don’t think he meant any offense by “stink”, as I’ve heard that endearing term placed on about every facet of aviation here.
I’m 56 and have 121 airline experience as well as able to check several boxes on the application that’s desirable. I’m also leaving Ag. I have an online app completed with one airline and I hope they call, but I’d be really surprised if they do.
Best of luck to you


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rickair7777

Ag stink in this context means flight ops and cultural environment which are very different from airlines. You could say the same about some mil pilots, but they are a fairly consistent known quantity, are young and experienced at being adaptable. Recruiters may not be sure about ag, but that depends on the airline and recruiter.

Of the big four (actually all legacies and FDX/UP) SWA seems most open to flight ops diversity.