embraer

CRM in a part 121 environment has more weight these days. Turbine PIC is no longer a requirement for majors.

Beechlover

Not saying this is the ONLY path to the majors but 'for me' this worked. I went from flight instructing to a regional as a CRJ FO then E-190/170 all right seat time. Spent 5 yrs there when I was hired by JetBlue. It can happen. But there is absolutely more than one way to do this.

Some things to consider that you've heard/read before..

- What conditions can you live with for several years?
-- Commute or not? May not have a choice so you might want to research where their most junior bases are, and how many/frequent flights there are from where you live when you do have to commute.
-- first year pay and can you live on it where you intend to live?
-- Reserve... How long is it? Who's is shorter can be Huge when trying to have a life aside from the job. ESPECIALLY if you commute.

Upgrade time, me personally.., Its not my biggest concern for being marketable. Although it depends on who your ideal career airline/flying job is. A degree might also be a good investment as well, but I have flown with several captains at my previous carrier that did not have one.

All in all, your getting into this career pretty young and at a good time. You have options, but I would definitely consider (with whatever path you choose). Getting your degree. if you spend enough time at either place, TPIC will come. But odds are, you'll find opportunities to move on BEFORE you upgrade and the degree will fill the "4yr Degree Required" Square. The degree WILL allow you to apply vs TPIC and no degree. If you look at places like United, JetBlue, Virgin, Spirit etc. maybe even US Air. The Turbine PIC requirement isn't there. They DO seem to place ALOT of weight in "multi pilot crew" operations though emphasis on you being able to function as part of a crew.

Again.., not the ONLY PATH but one that worked for me. So Im sure there are others here who can speak to their personal experiences.
Best of luck!

Pilotandrew

Would it benefit me to have Single Pilot time, and 2000 hours TPIC, or CRM time and sit at a regional for 6.5+ years like guys are doing these days?

embraer

You won't be sitting for 6.5+ years in the right seat these days. Regardless, as I mentioned before turbine PIC is no longer a requirement.

Take a look at the hiring pages of Delta, United, Us Airways, and others.

They give more weight to things such as "complexity of aircraft", "types of flight operations", and "quality"

Those are just another way of saying: "Part 121 experience".

Here at Eagle we have plenty of FOs being hired at majors with ZERO turbine PIC time. I have heard the same from friends over at ExpressJet. I know people who have spent the last three or more years flying for part 135 operations who have recently made the move to a Regional. Times change and you have to keep up on current trends. This is not 2003-2008 anymore like some who keep talking about turbine PIC think.

legend

Not saying 121 isn't important but you could get your pic turbine then go to a regional if need be. Many pilots are in the right seat too long waiting on upgrade. As the regionals shrink and consolidate more due to lack of crews(pilot shortage) there will be less upgrades. Unless they anne up in pay and benefits to attract new pilots. As previously posted depends on your situation. But your 21 why not spend the next two years getting that time and then see what options are available, you might be surprised what could be available in 2 years.

jrsx99

Wow, thanks for asking this question, and thanks to all great responses. I'm a 1,100 hr CFI contemplating my next career move. I have been asking myself this very question a lot lately. Lots of good opinions given here. Thanks

FSUpilot

Just to add my .02... going on year three at XJT and just had two friends a class ahead of me get hired at Allegiant. No TPIC. Just went to a job fair and filled out an app... they said the 121 time helped them. Our pilot attrition data just came out and it showed almost 80 FO's have left as of July.. just a hair more captains if that tells you anything. I think the days of the 1000 TPIC requirement are coming to an end.

frmrdashtrash

If offered both, go to Ameriflight.

JohnnyG

Does anyone care at all about turbine PIC if it's in a steam gauge turboprop single pilot?

I know guys who have recently gone to the majors, and none had turbine PIC.

There are so many people with glass jet part 121 time, why would they hire someone who flew mail at 2 oclock in the morning on a beech 99 by themselves?

Beechlover

I would say that Part 121 Jet/FMS/EFIS Time is more marketable than Single Pilot TPIC (IF) your ultimate goal is make your career destination a major or LCC Airline. Once you get around 3500 to 4000 hrs total time.., you WILL have marketable pilot experience to move on to the next level in your career.

But a 4yr degree (in my opinion) will most certainly be necessary to be COMPETITIVE at the "Legacy" carriers.., eg Delta, United, American. This could change with demand, that Im sure will most certainly increase as retirements kick in.

If your goal is to go to the LCC Carriers ie.., Spirit, Virgin, Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue even. You could get by with (previously stated SIC experience) with a two yr degree or no degree and internal recs.

If your ultimate goal is to fly for a Heavy freight operator such as ATLAS, OMNI, etc I really can't speak to these as I have no experience, But just thinking in public here, maybe THIS career path would be best served by going to America Flight and getting freight, as well as TPIC Single pilot. Not sure on education level either.

FEDEX and UPS tend to be VERY COMPETITIVE so I say that everything you would do to make yourself marketable to the major airlines, and a heavy freight hauler, plus a degree, plus internal recs and you MIGHT have a chance at an interview at these places lol.

Bottom line without further education, you Will likely achieve Captain in a good regional flying jets, or an LCC which is fine. The income is decent and Ive flown with many Captains who were career pilots at my previous carrier and were VERY HAPPY.

Again this is just one guy's personal thoughts and opinion. You are absolutely asking the right questions. Questions that I asked as I was coming through all this and I only hope I was able to provide you with some useful info or food for thought. Best of luck to us all!