Did I make the right move?
 

I'd like opinions from fellow aviators on my career thus far. Years back I flew my ass off in Florida as a flight instructor then did the same while hauling bank checks in light twins around the Southeast. I was a check airman and an assistant chief pilot for a 135 freight company before I started flying the ATR for a 121 cargo company. From then on I have only averaged around 350 hours a year for the past 5 years. I had a great quality of life and decent pay allowing me the opportunity to find happiness in my personal life. However, I'm once again looking for career progression. I am currently flying for a charter airline as an FO on the 737 operating around the world. I am still only averaging 350 hours a year. At the end of 2007 I had 2700 hours and now only have roughly 4500 hours total, +1000 PIC turboprop, 737 type with experience flying the -800 across the pond. I feel like the international ETOPS and LRN experience should be gold, but how do you all think I will compare to my friends who are now Captains flying regional jets and have 9,000 hours? I love what I do and where I fly, but I'd like to fly for a major airline some day and am wondering if my good QOL with low yearly hours is holding me back. I'm also wondering if I'd now have better opportunities had I gone to a regional passenger airline years ago like my friends from flight school. Any thoughts?

Sounds like you're doing just fine.

Hours don't mean squat. You've got a good job. You're happy. One day you'll move on. No problem.

You're getting good experience now. Whether you have 4,500 hours or 9,000 hours doesn't mean much. Once you're past a few thousand hours, it's all the same. There's no such thing as he-who-dies-with-the-most-hours-wins.

More pilot in command experience will be useful, but you're working your way toward that in your present position, aren't you?

You can always keep active applications going now. If you're called for a position with a major then fine. If you're not, then fine...you're already where you're comfortable. Sounds like a no-lose situation to me.

True, but there is such a thing as retirement and planning for it. I think that's becoming difficult for many people who are realizing that progression to the "majors" isn't realistic, at least in a reasonable amount of time.

Realistically no one but you can answer that question, but I will echo the sentiment that it sounds like you are progressing fine.

The great retirement pipe dream bubble burst long ago. It is what it is. Count on multiple job changes throughout your career, and quite possibly, multiple careers. Thats the norm the vast majority of the workforce today, in and out of aviation.

The number of hours the original poster has, however is irrelevant, and has nothing to do with planning for retirement. 4,500 hours is as good as 9,000. There comes a point where a 25,000 hour pilot isn't any more marketable than a 9,000 hour pilot, and a 4,500 hour pilot isn't really any different. Hours don't mean much.

What's a "reasonable amount of time?" For many, progressing to a major airline has never been realistic, and 20 years isn't an uncommon journey. So what?

There's more to life than flying for the "majors." It's comical that many see that as the ultimate goal, as though anything else is second place. It just ain't so.

Sounds like you're in a good place, you have it all except military time.

Majors tend to prefer people with more recent TPIC, as opposed to the guy with 9,000 hours in the left seat of an RJ...they're afraid he will have trouble in training, and then online will have trouble transitioning back to FO mindset.

Your -800 and international time should trump RJ CA time.

Did you get your TPIC in the ATR? If so congrats on surviving.

What's wrong with ATR? I loved that plane.

Just remember that the airlines have a seniority system. If a major US airline is your goal, get there ASAP.

Good luck.

Thanks
 

No, I don't have military experience. The closest I came was flight instructing for the Patrick AFB aero club before it was shut down.

Yes, I logged all of my turbine PIC in the ATR. I flew as Captain for 3.5 years on a cargo ATR and enjoyed flying both the 42 and 72. It is a slow turboprop and generally stuck flying down low in the weather. I flew the plane many times in icing conditions and as long as we exercised good judgement while paying close attention to the weather conditions and following SOP's the plane flew nicely.

I shouldn't complain with my career progression. I am only 31 and flying right seat in a 737-800. I expect that in 5 years I will upgrade if I stay. The pay scale here is pretty low which is my biggest complaint but I enjoy the job and the quality of life it provides. My other big complaint is no travel benefits for my wife or family as the company is a charter airline.

Thanks for the advise. I'll apply at the majors after I get a bit more jet experience and if they call great, if not, then I can be happy here. I've already flown to 10 countries in my first 6 months flying the line.

The advice of previous poster concerning, dont forget, aviation is a seniority based system and to keep moving toward your goal. I think he had good advice.

Currently, I'm 45 and 75 Capt at FDX. (Not beating my chest, but used as a reference point). I got to the line in back of 727 at 29 y/o. Not the youngest, but respectable. The first 10 years getting paid to see the world was....well, I had to pinch myself to believe it was really happening.

But now, after having a wife, 2 kids, and a life outside aviation, all I want to do is have more time in my own bed, my own car. Being at home is a very valuable commodity. Generally, in this biz, it requires seniority.

The best asset you can have is not 9,000 hours, but persistency in knocking on the right doors for your long term employer.

I'm sincerely glad you're happy where you are. There's a lot to be said for that.

Best of luck to you. I think you're on the right track.

I think you said 350 hours a year? If so, that is my dream job. Not everyone wants 900 to 1,000 hours a year, despite the pay. It wears you out, makes you hate coming to work.

Our new "contract" bumped the monthly maximum up significantly, and I am dreading it.

If you could increase 350 to 500 to 600 hours annually, that would be about 45 hours a month, which is still very gentle on the body and the mind. It sounds like you are in a good place. I'd be very careful about abandoning a job you enjoy for a high-time grind.

Red,
I think I know what company you are with. In my personal opinion you are not doing anything wrong. You are flying new equipment worldwide and just because you have less flight time it does not mean you are under-qualified for the legacy carriers. It is the quality and not the quantity that counts...and of course who you know ;)
I am in the same boat as you are and don't think I am missing out by not flying RJs 1000 hours a year.

Let's see:
1. Great QOL 2. Decent pay 3. Personal Happiness 4. Operating around the world 5. 737-typed
Based on the above, I'd say your close to being the envy of the industry!

4,500tt and 1,000 PIC turboprop are still respectable flight times, even if your friends might have twice as many hours. If I were you, I wouldn't put too much stake in having a high total time. Remember, flight time is only one of many factors the recruiters look at when selecting pilots.

If it was me in your shoes, I'd say there was no way what you've had thus far could be considered a mistake. Most pilots build there time slaving away at low-paying regionals flying the routes & schedules that nobody else wants. You've been able to see the world, make decent money, and find personal satisfaction in life. On top of that, you've got a 737 type under your belt ( Hello Southwest!).

Another thing to consider: to land a job at a major, you need to be able to differentiate yourself from everyone else in the crowd. Instead of the plain vanilla route the masses follow, you've enjoyed the quality of life that few pro pilots get to see, especially without having to spend decades in the industry to get there. I'm sure you have a story or two to share with recruiters that will make your aviation background sound unique and exciting.

Now imagine yourself on your death bed, with just a matter of hours left in this world. If you were to think back on your life, accomplishments and regrets, I doubt you'd smile just because you had 9,000 hours in some logbook. If you had the time, which you'd attained through the traditional career route, you'd probably be wishing you'd spent your life traveling the world, seeing exotic locations, and living a life of personal happiness. You've done well.

Looking for a pilot job? Check out my Facebook Page.

sounds like you have a good thing going, I bet there are others in the regionals who would consider trading what they have for what you have.

I would reconsider staying where you are at and seeing what you might be able to do with your free time to bring in more $$.

I think everyone is assuming too much and forgetting a few things.

1. Does he have great QOL? I know of this company he flies for and QOL is relative to the person. If you are single with no kids and want girlfriends all over the world then spending 25 days a month in hotels in some foreign country would be the greatest life. However for guys like myself who likes to be home at least 15 days a month with his kids, id rather work the 80-90 hours a month for that.

2. Decent pay? See above. I can certainly go overseas and make 3 times what im making here. However, that would mean i leave my kids to be raised by some other man cause sure in hell my wife isn't going to be sticking around for me.

3. Personal Happiness? What makes you happy may not make me happy. That's a definition to be left to the individual. My happiness is taking my sons on the boat fishing on the weekends 12 months out of the year. (Pays to live in MIA)

4. Operating around the world. I would rather travel around the world on my own time and not when im working. I think I have the satisfaction of leaving my phone off and not worrying about the company calling me to work.

5. 737 typed? Big deal. Only pilots with delusions of flying for SW care about that. So you have a 73 type, that doesn't mean you have a job at SW. I've got 5 type ratings and not one of them got my current job. Maybe the collective experience or type ratings gave me an edge? Maybe not.

Don't get me wrong, im not downplaying your points. You make great points, but its relative to the individual.

Do you fly for Miami Air?

They treated some of our UAL furloughed guys pretty snotty during interviews a few years back.....not your fault but what comes around goes around.

Good Luck.

PS.....I had first hand knowledge at a MIA job fair a few years back, the CP of Miami Air didn't now know I was ex-UAL nor did his lackey FO....the comments and attitude left a lot to be desired.