What would you do?
10-05-2021, 05:51 PM
#1
Screen Toucher
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2017
Position: F/O
Posts: 186
What would you do?
About a month ago I finished my line check at my company (part 121 regional) and tomorrow I’ll hit 100 hours in the plane. Yesterday, I received an interview invitation from a part 121 LCC/charter carrier that flies 737s based out of the Midwest (you can probably guess who). Does it seem wise to leave somewhere I quite literally just started in the hopes of becoming more competitive for the upcoming hiring wave with a 737 type on my resume or should I stay where I’m at and get some more time? It would mean going from living in base to commuting but that’s not a dealbreaker by any means. Curious to hear some different perspectives.
10-05-2021, 06:20 PM
#2
Furloughed Again?!
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Position: Boeing 737
Posts: 4,796
Originally Posted by SunDevilPilot
About a month ago I finished my line check at my company (part 121 regional) and tomorrow I’ll hit 100 hours in the plane. Yesterday, I received an interview invitation from a part 121 LCC/charter carrier that flies 737s based out of the Midwest (you can probably guess who). Does it seem wise to leave somewhere I quite literally just started in the hopes of becoming more competitive for the upcoming hiring wave with a 737 type on my resume or should I stay where I’m at and get some more time? It would mean going from living in base to commuting but that’s not a dealbreaker by any means. Curious to hear some different perspectives.
second, if the music stops again, would you rather be at the 121 regional. Or the LCC flying the 737? Make your decision based on where you would like to be if for some reason you get stuck there and are unable to move on.
best of luck!
10-06-2021, 05:54 PM
#6
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,261
Since you have so little time invested it might not hurt to get another type and more money *if*
1) Upgrade time is reasonable
2) You can readily commute to or live in the (only) base
Bonus if you already live there or want to live there.
I wouldn't do it if it's a big QOL hit (ie commute), or if upgrade will be a while. ULCC experience will not make you more competitive for the majors, 121 TPIC will do that and it will probably come faster at a regional.
Also... your opportunities to acquire hot-ticket resume bullets will be better at a regional. Training, union, and check airman slots can go junior at a regional but at any major it's likely to be the purview of crusty old CA's. There are some exceptions; I'm guessing sunny isn't one of them but you might want to see if you can find that out.
1) Upgrade time is reasonable
2) You can readily commute to or live in the (only) base
Bonus if you already live there or want to live there.
I wouldn't do it if it's a big QOL hit (ie commute), or if upgrade will be a while. ULCC experience will not make you more competitive for the majors, 121 TPIC will do that and it will probably come faster at a regional.
Also... your opportunities to acquire hot-ticket resume bullets will be better at a regional. Training, union, and check airman slots can go junior at a regional but at any major it's likely to be the purview of crusty old CA's. There are some exceptions; I'm guessing sunny isn't one of them but you might want to see if you can find that out.
10-06-2021, 06:42 PM
#7
In a land of unicorns
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Position: Whale FO
Posts: 6,468
Originally Posted by rickair7777
ULCC experience will not make you more competitive for the majors, 121 TPIC will do that and it will probably come faster at a regional.
Also... your opportunities to acquire hot-ticket resume bullets will be better at a regional. Training, union, and check airman slots can go junior at a regional but at any major it's likely to be the purview of crusty old CA's. There are some exceptions; I'm guessing sunny isn't one of them but you might want to see if you can find that out.
Also... your opportunities to acquire hot-ticket resume bullets will be better at a regional. Training, union, and check airman slots can go junior at a regional but at any major it's likely to be the purview of crusty old CA's. There are some exceptions; I'm guessing sunny isn't one of them but you might want to see if you can find that out.
Recent 121 training event seems to be very valuable. And I am going to guess based on our attrition numbers, a non-regional type seems to have quite a bit of value.
10-06-2021, 06:44 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2019
Posts: 231
Originally Posted by dera
This might have been the case in the past, but based on my recent anecdotal evidence, I don't think it is as clear cut any more. I know a bunch of captains and LCAs at regionals who are struggling to get a call from anyone. But after my recent new type, we (with a bunch of my new hire classmates) are getting calls literally within a week of clicking the new type box. And I am talking about United, Delta and so on, with no 121 PIC time. A friend of mine just did a touch and go at an ULCC, he got called to a legacy interview before he finished IOE after he updated his app with an Airbus type. 0 121 PIC.
Recent 121 training event seems to be very valuable. And I am going to guess based on our attrition numbers, a non-regional type seems to have quite a bit of value.
Recent 121 training event seems to be very valuable. And I am going to guess based on our attrition numbers, a non-regional type seems to have quite a bit of value.
10-06-2021, 07:17 PM
#9
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,017
Another type rating isn't everything. Someone who is collecting types isn't nearly as impressive as someone who has used them.
PIC time is better than SIC time, if you're collecting time. If you're after a 121 position, then 121 PIC time is better than 121 SIC time.
SIC time is about moving to a PIC position. If you're a captain now, you have to decide what's more important to you; getting more 121 PIC experience, or adding a type. Frankly, 121 PIC experience is ore useful than SIC in a different type.
PIC time is better than SIC time, if you're collecting time. If you're after a 121 position, then 121 PIC time is better than 121 SIC time.
SIC time is about moving to a PIC position. If you're a captain now, you have to decide what's more important to you; getting more 121 PIC experience, or adding a type. Frankly, 121 PIC experience is ore useful than SIC in a different type.
