Big 4 Career Goal: 135 vs 121 TPIC
04-22-2021, 09:20 PM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2017
Posts: 465
Originally Posted by AntiPeter
I would avoid the FAR 135 segment of the industry if at all possible.
I'm at a legacy airline now, but spent the majority of my career in the FAR 135 world. It's nice to have biz jet experience as a fall back when the industry tanks (COVID being the most recent example), but in general I find FAR 135 to be poor quality jobs, not enough regulation and standards and a lot of pilots that, quite frankly, are risky, dangerous and overall not good pilots.
I found FAR 135 to be very stressful and frequently dealt with a lot of drama that just doesn't exist in FAR 121. I'm not familiar with the regionals in the last 15 years, but I regret my FAR 135 experience. It definitely made my career progression more difficult.
I'm at a legacy airline now, but spent the majority of my career in the FAR 135 world. It's nice to have biz jet experience as a fall back when the industry tanks (COVID being the most recent example), but in general I find FAR 135 to be poor quality jobs, not enough regulation and standards and a lot of pilots that, quite frankly, are risky, dangerous and overall not good pilots.
I found FAR 135 to be very stressful and frequently dealt with a lot of drama that just doesn't exist in FAR 121. I'm not familiar with the regionals in the last 15 years, but I regret my FAR 135 experience. It definitely made my career progression more difficult.
04-24-2021, 02:11 PM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2018
Posts: 751
Originally Posted by TiredSoul
Here is my (cynical) view:
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/121.43
135 PIC counts for nothing unless it’s 10+ seats or commuter operations aka “scheduled 135”.
I don’t see how 135 PIC time on your average rent-a-jet would do him any favors.
I have 135 PIC jet time and it’s has done zero for me.
I used to fly with somebody from the Regionals and he went 135 for the exact reasons He mentioned and last time I saw him he was still there.
Couldn’t handle the $30k+ pay cut it to go back to first year 121.
Your friend is 121, stay there.
No 135 that I know off will put you in the left seat on day 1,
You’ll spend a year right seat.
So you’re not gaining anything.
https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/121.43
135 PIC counts for nothing unless it’s 10+ seats or commuter operations aka “scheduled 135”.
I don’t see how 135 PIC time on your average rent-a-jet would do him any favors.
I have 135 PIC jet time and it’s has done zero for me.
I used to fly with somebody from the Regionals and he went 135 for the exact reasons He mentioned and last time I saw him he was still there.
Couldn’t handle the $30k+ pay cut it to go back to first year 121.
Your friend is 121, stay there.
No 135 that I know off will put you in the left seat on day 1,
You’ll spend a year right seat.
So you’re not gaining anything.
I had 135 TPIC in citations that had 7 seats... got hired at a major 121. Did legality change in the last 2 years?
04-24-2021, 02:15 PM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2018
Posts: 751
Originally Posted by JabroniJohn
Can you talk about your path from a 135 to a 121 Major? Did you take on extra-curricular duties that you think helped?
FWIW, I also went 135 to Major 121.
I was a check and assistant chief pilot for the last 135. Everyone in my interview class at my current place was either in standards, check airman, training or something that was more than just a line pilot.
04-25-2021, 06:46 AM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2018
Posts: 997
Originally Posted by Crockrocket95
I had 135 TPIC in citations that had 7 seats... got hired at a major 121. Did legality change in the last 2 years?
04-26-2021, 10:46 PM
#27
New Hire
Joined APC: Apr 2021
Position: FO
Posts: 7
had a similar question for those with way more experience with this than me.... turned 24 not too long ago, 2400 TT / 1000 121 SIC.. What's the best career move at this point? At a stable regional & very grateful for it. However upgrade time seems to be very distant due to covid, stay or seek a 135? half of my BS completed but not sure I can afford to finish. thinking is I'd go somewhere with considerably more pay, finish degree, maybe log TPIC faster and try to take that to UA/SW/ etc...? Appreciate any advice/feedback...
04-27-2021, 05:38 AM
#28
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,224
Originally Posted by Lando11
had a similar question for those with way more experience with this than me.... turned 24 not too long ago, 2400 TT / 1000 121 SIC.. What's the best career move at this point? At a stable regional & very grateful for it. However upgrade time seems to be very distant due to covid, stay or seek a 135? half of my BS completed but not sure I can afford to finish. thinking is I'd go somewhere with considerably more pay, finish degree, maybe log TPIC faster and try to take that to UA/SW/ etc...? Appreciate any advice/feedback...
04-27-2021, 09:57 AM
#29
Perennial Reserve
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 11,481
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Probably depends on the regional. If it's a niche regional with little opportunity for growth and a stagnant seniority list then yeah it might make sense to go elsewhere. Bear in mind that 135 will take some hustle and has it's own warts as folks have mentioned here. Also possible that when hiring warms up at the majors that ULCC's will start taking regional FO's again like they did before covid. At your age it does make some sense to try to shoot for the legacy stars, since you'll have plenty of time to enjoy the left seat of a widebody.
He could likely scrape by on that, if he lived frugally...
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rickair7777
Flight Schools and Training
12
10-30-2014 04:46 PM
