Pilotandrew

So, I'm sure everyone here on this forum has a lot more knowledge and information as to what's the current state of the industry and all that fun stuff. I'm looking for some advice as to what I should do. I have a class date with ExpressJet the 23rd, for the CRJ. I've also been offered an interview for a BE-99 Captain for ameriflight. I'm torn which road to take. Should I head off and pick up the PIC turbine time with Ameriflight, single pilot nonetheless, or stick it out with a regional and pick up the SIC jet time, and wait for an upgrade (whenever that may be)?

Ameriflight has made it seem to me that there will always be room for transitions to left seat 1900 or even left seat Brasilia. Seeming to me with the high upgrade times and uncertainty of the regionals maybe this would be the best choice?

Any advice?

pipercub

Interview does not equal Job offer. Take the one that is a job if you interview and it becomes a choice then look for which one will provide a base closest to where you want to live.

AtlCSIP

Tough decision. At some point, you will probably need some jet time to move beyond a regional airline, so you'll probably make a stop at ExpressJet or some other airline before a realistic shot at a major.

Can you live in base with either airline? If so, that would probably be the deciding factor for me.

legend

Ameriflight. The quicker you get the PIC turbine the better. Express jet and their partners are going through Some changes and may have long upgrade times.

Pilotandrew

I'm also only 21, so I'm flying with my restricted ATP. 1520 hours, 500ME, 1400PIC, and 850XC. I know I'd have at least two years before upgrade a ya regional when I can get my ATP unrestricted.

embraer

This is one of those hot button topics, but here is the skinny.

These days airline pilot time (part 121) is much more valuable to the majors than single pilot PIC in a part 135 operation. Sure, everybody and their dog will talk about a friend of a friend who worked at ABC freight and is now at AA or Delta, or X major.

Those are outliers who probably "knew" somebody. These days part 121 experience is gold and the majors are looking for it over single pilot time. This coming from various mainline pilots over the years.

I have also seen many friends of mine who flew for many years with various part 135 outfits (including Ameriflight) recently come over to Eagle and other regionals for this very reason. Their goal is a major and they figured out they need part 121 experience.

I would go with ExpressJet if that is your regional of choice. It is one of the better ones. These days there are only three, maybe four regionals anybody should consider: SkyWest, Eagle, ExpressJet, and maybe Compass.

That is a different topic for a different time, but the following thread should be required reading for any aspiring airline pilot:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/re...yone-info.html

It takes a turn for the worse (and highly funny) on the third page starting with Reply # 27.

mooney

Ameriflight. It's all about turbine PIC time as you said, not "jet" time. With the way regionals play musical chairs these days, you don't want to be stuck in the right seat when the music stops with zero PIC. (usairways and some others excluded)

Spoilers

I would have probably told you to take the job at XJT if you would have asked me a few years ago, but I think you might be better off at AMF for the time being.

I'm on my second regional airline, and 6.5+ yrs later still warming the right seat, still making mediocre pay, upgrade is no where in sight.

One of my friends went a different route and went to AMF, started in the Chieftain, and quickly transitioned to the BE99, then B1900, and then straight to left seat in the Brasilia, this was all within a 3.5 yr timespan. He has his TPIC time now and currenty getting some jet time flying for a fractional.

YMMV.

Ultralight

Why do some people assume that the regional's are the only way to the majors?
PIC turbine is PIC turbine.

As a recruiter I would be more impressed with a guy that survived a couple of years flying twin engine, single pilot IFR with no autopilot over someone who's been pushing buttons in the right seat of a barbie jet.

I've said this before on this forum. I know plenty of guys at Allegiant and Southwest who went there directly from Amflight. A friend of mine just got hired at Atlas in the 747. Not a single hour of part 121 time.

Maybe some Amflight guys can chime on here and verify that people are in fact leaving for the MAJORS (not regionals) so we can put this myth to bed.

legend

Turbine pic is turbine PIC.