Stay PIC 135 or go regionals/ULCC?
 

Hey, thanks in advance for guidance. I’m a pretty young guy, currently flying as PIC on a midsize jet (10 seats max) with 2300 total and 600 jet PIC. My goal is to get to any of the majors, preferably SW. would it be best to stay here and fly 600 hours a year as PIC? Or go to a reputable regional or ULCC like Sun Country and check the 121 box while forfeiting pic time?

Stay where you are at until you hit 1000 TPIC and then apply at all the legacies, majors, UPS, FedEx, etc. Assuming everyone is hiring like they all claim they will be you will likely get some interviews. If after about six months you have received no calls, then I would apply at some regionals or ACMI. The purpose would be to demonstrate you can successfully pass a part 121 checkride and show a new type. Often, it seems like companies perceive a recent successful 121 training type course as validation of everything you’ve already done. Continue to update your apps everywhere else as you do this.

You're close enough and flying enough that IMO you should stick it out and log the 1000 TPIC.

Being young, your priority should be top-tier majors.

Yeah, airlines are looking for you to be acting as PIC of a complex (type-rated) aircraft and showing that you can manage the responsibility and aircraft they operate.. They aren't looking for a magical 121 check-box, they are looking to see you can handle such an aircraft, two-pilot crew environment and the overall responsibility of acting as PIC (even though you are applying for FO). This point is sometimes lost on people and I know many that go from turboprop 135 directly to majors.

Stay for the 1000hrs turbojet PIC, I regretted for a while not doing that.
Keep all your documents up to date and start your application on airline apps of whatever it’s called nowadays as it takes stupid amounts of time.
Then as soon as you reach 1000 you hit SEND.

Why not send before? While it looks great, plenty are hired with less than 1000. No one would stay at any regional to get 1000 tpic if big 3 called or even a good LCC. Guess it just depends what each person wants for themselves at the end of the day. Although if it is to go from 135 pic to a regional sic having the 1000 would be better imo if the time is valid for upgrading.

Thanks for the replies. I’m mostly concerned with missing the hiring wave when it comes. Of course I’d like to skip the regionals all together but that’s no sure thing. 1,000 hours TPIC isn’t far off especially with the ability to be check airman. I heard SW is okay with that but the others are typically not from the rumor mill.

I’m not 100% sure. The jet says 10 seats max. Under normal configuration we have 8 seats but you can add another bench seat for 10 (in theory). But it is definitely not “10+”. I’m sort of along the lines of if i go to a regional now seniority builds and upgrade by the time i have 1200 TPIC here, again in theory.

The most aggressive approach would be to get your 1000 TPIC and then go to a regional for type, 121, fast upgrade, and more/121 TPIC.

Less aggressive would be to get 1000 TPIC and then to ULCC, hoping the type and 121 SIC will be enough to get a call soon.

Your decision should be informed by your "whole person" package, that affects your top-tier chances quite a bit. I'm assuming you have a degree.

ULCC career would be a nice consolation prize in any event.

Roger. I do have a degree thankfully. That was my guess in terms of if a call from the AA, DAL, etc. would be to minimum get a 121 type. Just never had an interest in flying heavies across the pond for some reason.