121 or 135
 

Good morning, I am new to the forums and had a question and wanted to see your opinions:
I just reached 1500 hrs of flight time and have all the requirements to apply at regionals. Most of my time is a c-172
and I was considering applying at a 135 like Cape Air or Air Choice One to get some more experience in bigger aircraft and more multi time for a year before applying at the regionals. Should I go that route or just go straight to regionals?
Anything I could use to prepare myself if I chose the 121 route?
thanks

Uhhh go straight to the regionals

What he said^

In the past 135 was a valid stepping stone because

1) Regional training programs were HARD.
2) They probably wouldn't hire you without 2500 TT, some turbine time, and 1000 ME anyway.

Today regionals fly glass jets which have little in common with 135 turboprops and *most* of them have tailored their training programs to ASEL CFI's, rusty retreads, and career changers. Also 135 training is not going to be as easy as you think and a training bust will set your career back.

Just do your homework, don't go to a regional with a reputation for having an old-school training program (it will be challenging enough without that).

See above^^^

If your career goal is 121 flying at a major, nothing will get you there quicker than 121 flying at a regional. Pass rates in regional training are quite high, the company’s WANT YOU to pass and will generally work with you to assure that result for anyone motivated and making the effort. The majority of those who do not pass, in my experience, fail because of alcohol, social, or motivation related problems and only very rarely do you see failures from just a lack of aptitude.

And while the retirement wave (and hence the hiring wave) at the legacies will be going on for most of the next decade, seniority is everything in this business. Delaying your hiring by one year may mean 900 additional people have a better schedule than you do for the next 30 years.

Yes to all what the said above!

With 1500 hours, and going to 135, is a waste of time. Especially if you’re end goal is the majors. Now if you wanna do corporate stuff, then hell yeah go 135.

Go straight 121 and don’t look back towards 135 unless you really have to.

These guys are correct 100%, 121 majors want 121 experience. From what I have seen at interviews they weigh 135 experience a lot less. If you're qualified at 1500 hours like you say it's a brainer if majors are your end goal.

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Which regionals have a reputation for having an 'old-school training program' in your opinion?

Would be interested to hear some thoughts on which regionals have the best training programs these days.

Ameriflight just became an Aviate partner with United. They also have programs with UPS, Allegiant, and Omni. I’d say the 135 world is changing.