Pilatus801

Looking for some career advice as I near ATP mins and I am looking at Cargo ops and the Airlines. I also haven't ruled out Netjets or Flexjets, but I personally don't like the idea of 1 week on/1 week off schedules. I'm 50 years old, flying turboprop singles and If its possible, I'd much rather skip the Regionals and look at the low cost carriers and legacy airlines. But I'm not sure if that is a reality.

I've got a college degree in Business and have worked full time professionally for 24 years. Ideally, I'd like to get on somewhere where I can earn a good living ($150k or greater) and have excellent QOL (more time off than on). I don't want to hop around the industry, but would like to get in somewhere that has excellent QOL and is a well managed operation that is good to it's people and stay there until retirement.

I live in Salt Lake City and would like to avoid commuting (although not against nearby bases like DEN, LAS, PHX, BOI)

If you were in my shoes, which companies would you apply to?

Thanks in advance!

LAXtoDEN

Well SLC is SkyWest and Delta territory. SkyWest does most it’s initial training in SLC or DEN. Best bet would be applying to Spirit for LAS then trying get hired at Delta. Fall back would be SkyWest for SLC (or DEN, PHX, BOI) but I’ve heard it’s easier to get hired at Spirit than SkyWest atm.

Brickfire

You need one experience building job before you’re competitive for your destination job.

Apply broadly and take what’s gonna look good in 2025

QRH Bingo

You're kind of asking for a unicorn here. Aviation is 2 steps up that ladder with 1, sometimes 3, steps back down. It's unlikely that you will get BOTH $150k and "excellent" QOL from the start while only making ONE jump. You're likely going to have to take a temporary hit on one of them. Which one is easier, money or QOL?

Curious, why are you opposed to regionals? SkyWest is in your backyard and likely a great option. They can get you decent QOL within a few months on reserve where you are at least getting the days off you want. With the new regional pay rates, you'll be able to crack $100k quickly. Once you're able to hold a solid line with a little seniority, 14 days off a month (and $100k) can likely be had with a little luck/skill.

If you're willing to front the cost of the ATP-CTP course (~$4,500) and knock the ATP written out of the way, it could open up some more doors. Even more so if you get the ATP certificate too! How much are you willing to invest? ATP Jets at DFW provides an ATP course using their Airbus A320sim (ATP-CTP + $8,500 [if you bring a friend] = $13,000). Pass that and you could get your ONE jump to Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier, etc.

Cargo ops will not get you the QOL you're looking for. If you don't like the 1 week on/off of fractionals, I'm not sure what's left. A Unicorn 91K gig flying 200hrs a year is out there... but takes a much stronger resumé.

Pilatus801

Thanks for the response, I appreciate it! I have heard from a local friend at Skywest that QOL is not as good as you make it sound. That is why I am looking to other operators.

Pilatus801

Spirit is one I am looking at. Thanks for your comment.

Brickfire

You MIGHT luck into spirit at 1500. But unlikely without significant turbine experience. Getting 500 hrs of large turbine experience will give you many more options

QRH Bingo

Absolutely, QOL goes up and it goes down. There are many variables; staffing and domicile choice being two of them. Best of luck.

Alan Shore

Do Spirit, Allegiant, Frontier, etc. all require an ATP to get hired? Do they not include that in their newhire training the way that regionals do?

QRH Bingo

They require ATPs.