FLowpayFO

Hello all, I was wondering if anyone has good insight on these two scenarios. My goal is to eventually fly at a major like Delta, United, Cathay, etc. I have a potential offer to begin flying Skydivers in a Twin Otter. But my concern is that, is Turbine PIC in a Twin Otter actually competitive in todays world? Being that regional jet flying today is the same as the majors in many aspects (Besides pay, QOL). My regional won't have upgrades in at least 5 years (best guess). So what wins to a Legacy airline recruiter? Thousands of hours of Part 121 CRJ/ERJ SIC or 1000 hours Part 91 Skydive Twin Otter PIC?

Any insight would be helpful, thanks in advance.

squaretail

Go the 121 route. The twin otter is a great plane to fly -- it's fun, multi-turbine PIC... but, it's single pilot in an airplane that is 12,500 lbs MTOW under VFR. The regional experience will look far more attractive to a Legacy carrier. If you still have the opportunity to fly the otter part time, get that PIC. If you decided to go the twin otter route, it is likely you will still go to a regional first anyway.

rickair7777

A regional PIC will be far more competitive than a a guy who flew skydivers for the same number of hours.

However...if you already work for a regional and have extensive 121 turbine SIC you might be able to leverage that with a major. The 121 SIC combined with any TPIC would be better than no TPIC, and I think it would be better than TPIC with no 121.

FLowpayFO

Hey thanks guys for the input. I feel that the industry is shaping up to be a different market in regards to Regional pilots moving up. I know a lot of the Regional Captains won't make a jump to the Majors do solely on their own personal financial situation. I have a good feeling if I stick around at the Regional, opportunities will open up at the Majors for guys with extensive SIC time at the Regionals (Hopefully). I've heard of guys going to Continental and Delta with no TPIC (I know its who you know with that one). Will having 3 SIC Type ratings show them any value that I can make it through a training program!? haha

dojetdriver

I'd have to agree with this, get the ME turbine PIC first if you can, then move on to a 121 job. Since that's your desired career path. But remember, it's all supply and demand, as well as who you know. Wasn't uncommon for a civilian in a newhire class at a legacy to NOT have any 121 time.

I know you put the "ha ha" at the end. But sadly, in the regards to hiring, SIC type ratings don't really mean anything. It's built for ICAO compliance.

Because even if the requirement didn't exist now for the applicable operators, when the employer asks if you've ever failed a check ride, what type of aircraft you've flown, and pulls your PRIA records, that pretty much right there lays out whether or not you've had a training issue.

squaretail

FLowpayFO -- I reread your original post, think I just didn't have enough coffee when I posted my first reply. I see you are currently with a regional. DO NOT QUIT 121 to fly jumpers -- if you were to quit, even for something like gaining Turbine PIC, it is exponentially harder to get back in the airlines!! I know, trust me on this -- first hand experience.

FLowpayFO

Again thanks for the input guys, I should have mentioned in my original post that I am currently on a voluntary leave of absence, I don't have to return to my regional for a few more years. But I was planning on returning next month, and I have just been doubting the fact DHC-6 PIC will get me anywhere due to the simplistic operating nature. Would you hold off on returning to the regionals for Otter TPIC? Or just get back into the regional world and hope for the best?

dojetdriver, we are able to obtain our own copy of the PRIA records through the FAA website correct?

rickair7777

Since you have flexibility I would probably do the Otter gig, assuming that....

- You think you can get 1500 TPIC before you get your "last chance" recall notice.
- Pay and QOL will not be a hardship.

That way you could at least meet the mins to apply to most majors, and then hope your 121 SIC time will be enough to be competitive.

This assumes that you will not be able to get a 121 upgrade before your get 1500 in the Otter.

squaretail

That's a game changer... PM me and tell me where you will be flying the otter (not only a former regional pilot, ... corporate pilot, ... twin otter pilot, but thousands of jumps at a bunch of DZ's too.)

dojetdriver

Sorry, I'm not sure. But I'd guess that you can.

I would have to agree again. The TPIC (even in the otter) will allow you to apply to the places that require it just to fill out the app.

The 121 time (even if it's SIC) means you know what the game is about, helping to round out your resume/qualifications when comparing to people that may be in your same boat.

I know, EVERYBODY here (myself included) knows somebody that got their ME TPIC in a non-121 environment, spent some time as a regional FO, and got on at a legacy. But as mentioned, you have to include the "who you know" as well as how many you know, combined with the standard supply and demand curves.

Still, I'd take the Otter PIC if it looks like the upgrade at your other job seem like it's years away. Even so, rack up as much as you can, than if as Rick alluded to you find yourself in a bind and have to go back before getting the amount of PIC you want, AT LEAST you have some PIC. And when you do upgrade, that could be less time you have spend there before trying to move on.