SnarfSnarf

This might be venting more than an actual discussion or solicitation for advice, but here we go anyway.

When I crossed the 500-hour mark, I got all kinds of pats-on-the-back from pilots further along than me. They would always say something along the lines of "you could get some kind of SIC jet job now, no problem!"

My question is.... Where? Where are all these jet jobs?

Posting after email after probing guys in FBO's have indicated that pretty much all SIC jobs require at least 1000 hours. Some even go all the way up to ATP minimums. In the rare instance where 500 hours is the floor, there's a gorillian applicants so the effective minimum is a lot more than 500 hours anyway.

Has anyone else noticed this? Anyone else at a similar stage with similar struggles? Anyone have a success story they want to share that's relevant? I feel like I'm in some odd career purgatory that might only exist in my head.

Beech Dude

You're not getting a turbine gig at 500 hrs. Best places can be seasonal work, banners, pipeline, etc. Or, look up smaller outfits like Higgins, Cape Air et al., that have piston fleets. Not sure of your situation moving/commute wise, but that's where I'd look. The random SIC 91 gigs are tough to find and aren't usually stable to build your experience. Good luck.

JohnBurke

This is how far divorced we are from reality: a 500 hour pilot asking "where's my turbine job?"

ZapBrannigan

I have to agree. I’m glad things are better for young pilots now than they were when I was building time, but geez. Back then I needed 1200 hrs just to fly cancelled checks in a Baron. And over 500 ME to get hired flying right seat in a Jetstream! I’m blown away, not so much by their ability to get good jobs low time, but by the sense of entitlement to those kinds of jobs at low time.

SnarfSnarf

Y'all must have missed where I said "pilots further along than me"...

I didn't make these ideas up in my head. All of my presuppositions about the industry are from those who came before me. If *their* notions about what I should and shouldn't expect about this level of the career are incorrect, then that's fine. I just wanted to make sure I'm not crazy. I have no other expectations or "entitlements" and I actually have a piston gig that I'm as comfortable with as anyone can be in such a job.

Brickfire

In answer to your question

You network. Way a job opening goes is someone needs a pilot and pulls out their insurance policy. Policy says “sic requirement 2500tt, 500 in type” so they look for that

When nobody applies, they get to “hey what about john … he seems like a good guy” then they call their agent and get a quote for John.

What you need to do is start shaking hands and kissing babies. Get 1000 business cards made and start giving them out. Every desk girl, every line guy, every bulletin board. If you see a transient falcon, go introduce yourself. You want to be the guy they call before a job gets posted requiring 500 hours.

JohnBurke

No, we didn't. We're all a lot further along than you.

You're just not listening.

SonicFlyer

There are about half a dozen FB groups you need to be hanging out in. But yeah, for jets at least, insurance is almost a 1000 hr min SIC. There are other places that may take you less than that in a turboprop, Ameriflight, Berry, Planesense, etc.

TiredSoul

You’re listening to the wrong people.
You’re also not familiar with 135 VFR/IFR requirements.
You have no idea of insurance requirements.
You have some learning to do.
Fortunately you’ll have time to do so….about 800-1200 hrs.
No offense.

dckozak

You probably are aware of this, but I'll share for the few lurkers who may not. The tried and true path after your commercial/instrument is to get your CFI and teach. Roughly 1200 hours worth, do it well, with dedication to being as good as you can be and you will collectively get more out of it than any (one) student you instruct. Yes you can find a job (with luck or connections) that has you flying and avoiding instruction but you will be a better airmen for having taught. You will also have more street creed with a hiring board at the regionals as many of the pilot interviewers will have come up the same path.