Praps32

Hey, currently SIC at a part 135 cargo operator and will be upgrading soon. Long term goal is 121 (UPS, FedEx, etc). Debating whether I should leave for a regional at 1,500 or wait longer, get more TPIC, then apply to a bigger 121. Thoughts?

Hawaii808

Leave and go to a regional as soon as you can! My 1000hrs of part 135 turbine PIC hasn’t done much for me.

BeechPilot33

If you want UPS/FEDEX then apply to an ACMI company get some international time. Fly something big. If upgrade was hard to come by in the past I would say stay at the 135 and build 1000. But now that is not the case with the retirements looming ahead. You can get 1000 121 Jet PIC in 5 years in most cases.

rickair7777

Assuming you're flying a turboprop...

Very few majors are hiring relatively low time prop pilots (AS and SWA to my knowledge). The days of going to a top-tier major with 1000 TPIC in a BE-1900 are mostly long gone. There are too many RJ drivers with thousands of hours of jet PIC out there. Assume you will need jet experience, 121 pax or ACMI, to compete for a top-tier major job.

You might stay and get 1000 TPIC, but honestly regional upgrades are so fast you're probably better off just doing that now.

As was mentioned, if FDX/UPS is the goal, get some international heavy jet time. From what I have seen lately you will need to upgrade at ACMI to get looked at seriously by FDX/UPS.

If you go directly to ACMI I probably would get a 1000 TPIC first, that way you could apply anywhere with some credibility once you get some jet time. If you're going to a regional, just go, you can upgrade in six months at most of them.

Praps32

Thank you for the replies everyone!

Sliceback

Go to a regional, get 1000 hrs 121 PIC while applying to everyone. You’ll have years to ponder the next move as the industry changes.