Lookin for advice as well!
 

While I’m not in the exact same situation I am in a predicament. From what I’ve seen getting 121 time is most important? I’m currently at 500 hours.

Currently have 2 job offers for 2 different part 135. One company flies caravans and the other flies various twin turboprops.

First company pay is 12/hr but after upgrade (roughly 5-6months) 45/hr then you flow through to a regional once you reach 600PIC as captain(another 5-6months). With set bonuses for upgrade / flow. Flying passengers.

Second company 2 year commitment as SIC on a twin turboprop. You can upgrade to captain on a smaller plane in roughly a year. Flying freight. Pay is good

The freight job seems like really good experience and the pay is better. But if the end goal is a major would I need to go from the freight job to a regional then major or can you potentially go from the freight gig to a major since I’ll be logging multi-turbine pic eventually?

Either route will get you to where you want to be, so I’d base my decision off of location/schedule/pay. It sounds like the freight job will win

There is no benefit to you with "flow" to a regional. It's just a gimmick to keep you in the ASEL 135 seat longer.

Caravan time is probably the lowest quality TPIC available, and you will not get hired at a top-tier airline with just that, you'll need some 121 glass jet SIC and probably PIC too.


You might be able to get on with a major eventually with 135 ME turboprop PIC, but you're at a disadvantage compared to the RJ CA's. You'd probably be able to get on with a second-tier/ULCC major eventually, but if you're young you should probably focus on top-tier right now.

Also how much flight time would you get at the second 135? If it's one of those 2 legs/night kind of deals it might take years to get decent time built up.

Most people from 135 don't go directly to the top tier (I know several who went to ULCC, and I know several who got stuck). The safest and statistically fastest path is going to be get to a regional asap.

So their flow program actually keeps you in the company for a shorter period of time (about 6 months) than if you were to wait out their training agreement after upgrade (1 year).

Roughly 700 hours a year flying freight on emb120s then beech 99s after captain upgrade. It’s a weird schedule where you are on call mostly. The caravan gig is 4 on 4 off. Talked to a captain there that says he Max’s out his time monthly. I am leaning more toward the freight job seems like more valuable experience and better pay.

With that being said, I am in my early 20s if my path is a major is it better to go to caravan —-> skywest——> legacy or is it possible to do something like freight——> ULCC——> legacy

Be wary of any promises from recruiters regarding upgrades, hours expected to be flown, timeframes, etc.

I accepted the freight job 6 weeks training in a emb120. Really excited to be doing this at 500 hours!

ULCC => legacy would be possible but there are several things going against that...

1. Upgrade time... if you find yourself needing more and/or jet TPIC it's going to take longer to upgrade than at a regional. You might miss the retirement wave, or a lot of it.

2. Recent type. Legacies kind of prefer a recent type training event. If you do a ULCC which has only one type, you might turn into a pumpkin after 3-5 years with no possible opportunity to get a new operational type. Even if you work at a single-fleet regional you can probably still upgrade and get out before it becomes an issue.

3. Perception. Legacies seem to prefer the young/hungry/motivated types from the regionals. If it were me, I'd hire from ULCC competitors before I robbed my own regionals of staff but that's not what they seem to do. You can overcome that, just be aware that you'll want to lean into it. As long as you come off as motivated/pro-active you should be fine.

If you do go that route, get 1000+ TPIC at the 135 and then I wouldn't wait to upgrade at the ULCC... get real aggressive with apps, networking job fairs, etc as soon as you get off IOE with your big-boy type.


Now I'm not saying it's wrong or bad, just telling what the most aggressive path would be. At your age, I'd recommend aggressive... otherwise if you may spend decades regretting a few years of QOL that painted you into a career corner. It happens, a lot. Of course if you married young and already have three toddlers then your flexibility is limited there so one size cannot fit all.

Congrats, should be fun.

DO NOT, DO NOT, DO NOT fool around with the prop governors on that airplane. If it's doing anything funny or leaking on the ground, don't fly. If it misbehaves airborne, land immediately. That thing has a well earned reputation as a widow-maker and as they get older and have moved from 121 to 135/91 I'll be surprised if those issues don't rear their ugly head again someday. It was a very small fleet to begin with but it has waaaay more than it's fair share of Air Crash Investigation episodes (google and watch those).

I am 22 nothing holding me down anywhere so I am very open. I accepted the freight job today! So for sure the next 2 years of my life will be here. I feel no matter which option I chose, I would always think what if I took the other one?
Either way the caravan Job would have be near impossible for me to survive given my student loans from flight school and only making 12/hr in the beginning. I’m also a full time college student (online) and that would be another stress factor. Hopefully it all works out in the end! Thank you for the advice!

Ive actually watched almost every episode and have seen the 120 in their frequently. Weirdly enough it made me want to get the opportunity to fly it even more. I’ll take your advice seriously, good thing is the company seems very keen on maintenance and has never had a fatal accident (from what I’ve seen online). Freight Runners Express.