DanMarino

That is great - thanks for coming back and posting the positive news!
Out of curiosity, what aircraft have you been flying?

dera

Based on his story, I bet it's a Cessna 402.

NewCareer

Well, still chugging along. But I am quickly approaching a crossroads and looking for advice. My contract is up in a few months. My instinct is to try to go to Republic out of EWR. GoJet is also there and would likely upgrade to Captain more quickly. They also have aviate, even though this seems like a carrot (goal is United). Of course, I could also be out of a job if they go under so republic seems like the safer call, assuming I can get an offer.

Obviously it would be awesome to go right to a LCC. I guess it won’t hurt to apply. I will have about 3000 hours TT. 2500 multi, but with no turbine. (Dera, you nailed it with the 402). 1500 of which will be 135 PIC using my ATP (fulfills 121.436, not that I would ever consider DEC). Here’s one catch: My company does have an agreement with a ULCC but I would have to wait another 6 months to be eligible, and the consensus is that the company will take its time sending people over there (another carrot?), and I could be sitting at the company for who knows how long waiting to go. And commuting is pretty rough at this point. I just want to be New York based. And that carrier’s closest base is…ACY. Just in case you weren’t sure who I was talking about.

It also seems to me that building 121 time with make me more marketable to all the other LCCs, not just the one, in a rather short amount of time.

Thoughts? Any insight is appreciated.

StallWeezy

I think checking the 121 box would open more doors for you in the smallest amount of time. Not sure who to pick between republic and gojet these days but I’d go for the quickest upgrade and/or quickest EWR base. Ensure that you don’t stay there long enough to have to worry about who goes out of business next but I don’t see anything crazy happening now that we’re on the other side of China virus.

rickair7777

You definitely need turbine time, you have more than enough bulk TT as it is.

121 is good. Gojet is not likely going away in this cycle so should be good for upgrade and time-building. If you really want a fallback position as a regional lifer, then RAH would be safer for that.

MtnFlying

I wouldn't rule out Endeavor unless you want to try and stay away from LGA and JFK for commuting reasons. You shouldn't have any issues getting an interview at any of your choices. Shoot, if a company is willing to take a shot with me coming from straight part 91 flying, they'll have no issues picking you up. I'd start applying now as class dates are being filled in the first quarter of 2022 already for one of the Regionals. I'm not 100% sure where Republic is other than they just started hiring back up last month and have heard they may be filling September/October classes now.

Best of luck to you and great story!

NewCareer

I haven’t ruled out Endeavor, but EWR is much better, than LGA or JFK, but do they have any advantage over republic? I realize they are wholly owned by Delta. But I don’t see that as giving me much of an advantage. All of these “flow” programs seem kind of like a gimmick. Are upgrade times shorter?

NewCareer

Not looking to be a regional lifer, but if I weren’t picked up by another company, it seems safer to be at republic. It seems like the 550s have been doing well with United’s customers, but what’s to prevent United from just giving them to another carrier? GoJet seems like not too solid ground in comparison.

MtnFlying

Given where we currently are with the mass hiring and movement across the entire industry, it’s hard to say who has quicker upgrade times or the least amount of reserve time. It all seems to change from month to month right now. Same for base assignments. Obviously, the first objective is to get a CJO (or multiple if you can) with the first available date for training you can work with based on the contract you have. Then you can take the time to split hairs between them once you have the firm dates and offers in hand. Some airlines seem to be pickier than others as I found out going through this process over the last 4 months. I wouldn’t limit myself to just applying to one Regional, apply to all that fit your base requirements and go from there.

njxyz

NewCareer- First off I wanted to thank you for creating this thread and keeping it updated over the years. I always wanted to be a pilot growing up (playing my pirated copy MSFS for hundreds of hours as a kid), but I grew up poor and was taught to avoid debt as much as possible, so flight school never seemed like an option. I'm also very risk averse by nature, add to that I graduated college during the financial crash, and being a pilot just didn't seem to be in the cards for me at the time. I've been lucky enough to work build a solid career in the healthcare industry with what is now a well-paying job that pays the bills and then some. I'm finally at the point where I could comfortably learn to fly without it making a big dent in my savings. But now I'm also starting to think seriously about a career change. I like my current career but I just can't picture myself doing it for the next 20+ years. If I stay in it, it'd only be to essentially be working and saving to the point where I could retire early.

Like you, I live in the NY area (actually right in between EWR and PHL). Unlike you, I'd be starting from zero hours, but I am a little younger at 32, married but with no kids. I figure I can at least get to a CFI without quitting my day job. But it's after that point that makes me nervous because it seems like I'd probably be looking at switching to a job that pays at roughly 1/5 of my current salary.

Some questions if you don't mind:
1- How did you land your part 135 job? It seems almost everyone I read about builds their hours as CFIs. Was this a lucky break, a personal connection, and is there part of you that wishes you went down the CFI route?
2- It sounds like you started flying for a living in 2018. If you don't mind me asking, what were your annual earnings like each year since?
3- What does your time away from family look like?
4- Any advice for others making a similar transition from a high paying job in a HCOL?

Thanks in advance.