Where to go?
 

Hello,

Currently have 2jobs, flying single pilot 135IFR cargo, and a jump pilot.
2300+ TT
1000 Turbine PIC (all SE)
50ME

Contract ends in May next year and was thinking of going to airlines and get ATPL. I’m planning to stay in the US 8-10yrs max. My countdown starts next year once get in with regional. I plan to head back home and fly there domestic, hope to make bank before I leave. My Question is, where can I make more money with 10yr time frame? Is it going to ULCC’s from regional? Or try my luck with fractional/bizjet operators after a year or 2 with regional? Need advise.

Thanks!

Way more money going the 121 route (over time). Usually better schedule flexibility as well.

It’s all about what kind of flying you want to do and how important the dollar is to you.


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To many unanswered questions:
Where do you currently live? If your in a regional base or non regional base.

Are you married or have a family?

Where will you be returning to? This is bigger question. The reason why this plays a factor is if you could arrange to move back to your homeland and still commute back or just throw in the towel all together?

Both option Part 121 and Part 135 have pros and cons. It will come down to a more individual life style and family decision.

Go to a regional with an established flow to a major airline. For American (68% of their current pilots will be retired in the next 12 years), that would be Envoy, PSA or Piedmont. For United, the regionals with flow paths (guaranteed interviews) include CommutAir and I believe ExpressJet.

Bottom line: you will likely have a more lucrative career on the 121 side.

Where are you located now? What options or offers out there?

That won't help with his goal, which is to make money before he leaves the US in ten years. Regionals with flow generally pay less... and then when he flows in ten years it will be time to leave anyway.

Currently in Guam. Parents and friends are in VA, pretty much 5-10mins away from DCA and 15mins to IAD. Engaged no kids yet. Fiancée’s out of the country right now and will be here in 3-4yrs from now. We both don’t mind which base, I’m 28 right now and can live anywhere. Home is in one of the countries in southeast asia with Guam as the closest US territory with major US carrier. Salary’s okay for me right now, probably captain pay if compared to a few regionals. Just trying to save a little bit more to prepare for that first year FO pay.

Currently in Guam. Pretty much the only option here that pays higher than what I get is UNITED and Asia Pacific Airlines that flies Cargo on 767’s. So was thinking of just heading back to mainland and get in with regional to get ATPL. Just need advise based on the experiences you guys had with different operators, where would be better to go after 1-2yrs in regional that would pay a little higher?
Thanks!

True. I looked at that route and you’re right. By the time I can possibly flow, It’ll be time to go home.