Originally Posted by Hawker445

I'm in the EXACT same boat as you

Originally Posted by Moto208

I am pretty new to this forum but have been searching around to see similar situations and would just like a couple takes on what the recommendations would be for my situation.


I am a 24 year old currently working for a 135 operation currently flying king airs and a lear 45. I have just passed the 1000 hour mark and have my 1000 R-ATP. Currently I have about 300 turbine time and a bit of tpic from my previous job operating a citation ultra, to remove my SOE. I am on track to be at the minimums for left seat in the king airs in about 3-6 months, and have been told I can upgrade pretty much right when I hit the minimums.

The question is though, I am making below industry standard for pay and even after upgrading it's still low. Almost no benefits, and working about 20 days average a month. To fly the Lear I am having to drive 4 hours to a different city and am gone typically a week to 10 days at a time. My company manages the lear, and at this time I am the only one who is operating it as SIC. I do enjoy the flying, and appreciate the opportunities I have been given. I just think the regionals might be the better choice for my career at this point, and my QOL.

So do I stick out the lower pay, fly left seat in the king airs and average about 400-500 hours a year? I would get TPIC more quickly than the regionals, and could a couple years be competitive for say a LCC. Or make the jump to regionals and stick my time out getting 121 time, and have what I think would be a better QOL, around the same pay, and better benefits?

Thanks for any advice.
And I know the grass is always greener on the other side.

Originally Posted by Moto208

Yeah I was taking a look at the replies in your thread, and it did help me a bit with how others experiences have gone with having more turbine pic when trying to get into the airlines.

With the hiring market as it is right now, and the regionals starting to be more of a manageable experience I think it's the best route right now. Get into the regionals and do my time before I am settled down in any one places with kids or anything like that.