Man 25 landings a year, maybe if you include the sim! I’ve seen lots of guys go back to the sims for currency! Ok, maybe I’m exaggerating slightly but have been averaging about 2 a month.
Glad to hear that the 7 years thing only applies to your current seat. I definitely would want to upgrade ASAP and possibly switch types.
I think I do agree on the regional hours but I’m getting worried with the idea of getting stuck at a regional more a more now with every piece of news I hear out of Spirit.

 

I do consider myself to be in one of the more stable 121 airlines despite the tariffs. And know times are uncertain now more than ever, but if this isn’t my forever home my thought is that it’s better to be on a seniority list, albeit furloughed at a major than staying putting and getting kicked farther and farther down the list when I do eventually switch during more certain times?

 

Map out your future 1-7 yr resumes staying at your current job or going to a regional airline. I'd use a 3, 4, or 5 year upgrade at the regional. Minimum of one new type rating and hopefully 2. Don't sit on one plane, learn something new if you can bid a second aircraft and not delay your upgrade. Compare and contrast the resumes. 3,000 hrs of 747 SIC, with few landings, isn't going to improve your abilities as much as you current resume and 500-1000 hrs Part 121 TPIC in X years.

I'd give myself maybe 300 hrs the first year at the regional? Onboarding time, training, IOE, reserve, etc would keep you TT down. After that I'd guess 800 hrs, if not more, might be achievable? You know what your current company's upgrade and yearly flying hours is like.

Good luck.

 

The two schools of thought are interesting:

• TPIC in itty bitty airplane @ 4 legs daily
• SIC long haul in a Heavy

I would still take door #2

 

Asked the decision makers directly - "a guy asked me if he should take a regional upgrade or pursue a w/b FO job flying long haul international. I told him upgrade." I got the "we don't give career advice." Okay, I get it. So I start walking away... "but you're giving good advice."

They beat a drum "1000 hrs TPIC is 'highly competitive" and 500 hrs TPIC is "competitive." No mention of bonus points for more SIC or w/b flying.

This is like a RTFQ test - they look for 1000 hrs TPIC first, 500 hrs TPIC next. Yes, TT probably has a minimum (2500 ??) with 1000 hrs Part 121 regional FO. But that's for the chosen few.

To quote another decision maker about TPIC time - "not that Caravan or PC-12 SEL time. They think with 1000 hrs TPIC in a Caravan that they're competitive. They're not but they wonder why they're not getting contacted. Get some MEL TPIC time."

 

ASEL turbine PIC is competitive, but only for military pointy nose pilots. That's the only reason it meets the published minimums for the majors, because many fighters only have one engine.

 

#2 is sure better if one gets stuck. At this point in the cycle I would advise both. Upgrade and get 1,000 then go get some heavy time. The combination will differentiate the resume.

 

I'd say 500 TPIC is the bare minimum. 2,000 TPIC would be a solid safe number, after that you might as well do something else if it's better for your personal situation or adds resume diversity.

 

Like I said - this is like a RTFQ test. Or even better - LTWTFTS - Listen to what the xxxx they say. Unless it's changed they want TPIC time. Someone posted that they asked what the typical competitive applicant (???) was now and they were told - 4800 TT, 500 TPIC. That's the target. Go get it or as close to it as possible.

I'm with you, I'd get 2,000 TPIC before moving back to an FO job. What's w/b FO going to do that better perhaps a candidate to be a n/b domestic FO? I'd chase CKA before looking for a w/b FO job.

Now if I'm with a Part 135 operator and can't get a Part 121 job? I'd be all over a w/b FO job **IF** I had a significant amount of jet time (2000+??). You're just not getting better at basic jet handling with 1-2 landings per month. You're better off getting 10-15 landings in a Part 135 swept wing jet vs 1-2 747 landings per month. (< IMO).

 

Depends on the pilot, and on the potential employer.