CentralPa717

I'm into year four of full time instruction, currently commuting from stage college area to Pittsburgh to instruct, just to stay current. I'd love to work for Piedmont as the MDT base would be perfect for me. I have flown a citation in the past on a limited basis (91 only). Over 2000 hrs total but still under 100hrs multi (company I'm working for does not rent out the duchess for anything but training). Missed the last hiring boom by about a month. Watched several of my classmates zoom off to the airlines, while I chose to instruct because I didn't feel ready for 121 with 300 hours. I have purchased a multi time building block in Wheeling, WV and am patiently waiting to start that (flying partner is having schedule issues with getting his checkout done).

Point of this is, I haven't sent my resume because I know the low multi keeps me out of competitive. But, what is competitive at PDT right now? I see Pinnacle and Commutair have greatly lowered their minimums recently, but for my situation, Piedmont makes the most sense. Is commuting a three hour drive to instruct in a 172 for the sake of staying current worth it in this situation? Or should i focus soley on multi time? My employer does have a PCATD which I do use to maintain instrument proficiency, as flying IFR in a 172 in Pittsburgh in winter just doesn't happen that often.

I'm married and 31 years old, and just want a "real" flying job. Can't buy a house or start a family doing this instructor stuff, ya know? Tired of grossing 12,000 a year. Thank god my wife makes a nice salary. Can't ask her to move again without a promise of a lot more money than she is making, which isn't likely to happen anytime soon.

rickair7777

1. Apply to any airline you would be willing to work at whose mins you meet, you'll never get called if you don't apply.

2. Sounds like you realize that you will need more ME, 250-300 should be a safe number right now maybe less as hiring picks up.

snippercr

Let me just add my 2 cents to Rick's advice.

1) Apply to ANY airline you would be willing to work. Advice I have gotten is apply anyways, even if you don't meet the mins. 99% of the time you will either not even be allowed to submit the application or get an immediate "Not enough hours" email (I've gotten both). But weirder stuff has happened. I know several people who have gotten hired at aviation jobs (135 AND 121) below the published minimums. Especially having 2000 hours, you might get looked at again. It seems a bit unfair that eagle is hiring at 800/100 and people are getting hired at those numbers. Who has more experience - the 2000 hour pilot with 50 multi engine or 800/100 (rhetoric question, no flame intended)

2) Depends on which airline. Eagle seems to be hiring people right at 100 (105, 110, 115 are numbers that stick out) while others want 200, 300 or even 500! So yeah, unfortunately multi engine hour is way more elusive than TT and I too find myself meeting the TT requirements of many airlines, but short on the ME time. Join the club.

All I am doing now is putting aside money to try buying some ME time. While my school has multi engine training, like most places, the furloughed 121 or retired military guys do the teaching in those so it's not even an option for me.

nocnik

Are you going to Ohio valley flight serv?

FlyerJosh

You can't get the job if you don't apply.

Don't know how much ME time you have, but PDT has in the past hired an employee contingent on them FINISHING the multi-engine rating... of course those days might be long gone after the Colgan airlines fallout, but still- you never know if you don't try.

If you have at least 50 hours ME, start sending out resumes to EVERYBODY. Update them at every 25 hour increment include in your cover what you are doing to get more ME time and a timeframe for when you hope to have 100 hours.

The industry is starting to turn at the top and as it does, more and more folks at the entry level/regional airlines will start to feel the love.

FWIW, I was hired after an internship during the boom of 1999/2000 with all of 660TT and 63ME...

porqueno

send your resume in asap then call to make sure they received it. Let them know you're interested.

CentralPa717

yes nocnnik, Ohio Valley Flight Service...they have excellent rates on duchess time building. Nicest Duchess I've flown...

Thanks for the advice guys. I sent out a lot if resumes last winter, but I would assume they are in the garbage by now.

I'm really hoping to get in with Piedmont. Kind of the "hometown airline" around here, good pay for a regional, and know a lot of guys who used to work for them, who say its a great company but very challenging training, with the AQP especially.

FlyerJosh

Keep sending them at a regular interval. Persistence is key.

Be sure to let the recruiters know that in your cover letter! Let them know that they are your first choice airline because of your geographic location, familiarity, etc. See if you can get one of the former pilots to make a contact on your behalf if they keep in touch with friends or management employees that might be able to help you out.