NightShift

I am currently fly 135 single pilot turboprops for a freight company (Not AMF but you can see it from there!) and trying to decide on the next career move. I am fairly content with my position now but I dont plan to end up here as a lifer. I would like to go to a legacy or major (Alaska, JetBlue, Southwest, Virgin America etc) but first want to see what my options are before getting deadset on a specific place. I have aprox 2200TT 800multi and 400-500 turbine PIC and a type. I dont plan on going anywhere for at least a year and am shooting for 3000+TT 1500multi and 1200+TPIC. My only knock on the regionals is the QOL and all the industry run around. I would go to one if I had too but at this point I am not sure if it is the best decision for me.

I have read the previous thread already but things have changed a lot in the last few years and wonder what insight can be offered for todays hiring and in the next few years?

Every RJ FO I ever met has parrotted that the only way a major will take you is if you have 121 time prior...I am sure there is some truth to it but, friends at major airlines and acquatinances have all said most of their departments care more about TPIC then they do if its 121 or 135 (121 jet pic being the obvious favorite), and all have had examples of 91/135 guys in their classes.

Any opinions from guys or gals who have made the jump from 135 or Major FOs on what an airline may look at in the next few years?

Speaking of airlines...time to go do a charter

Thanks!

1StepPrep

I wouldn't shy away from the regionals but I recommend being incredibly picky. The way things are right now you can pick where you want to go. Another very good option if your not opposed to leaving the country would be Copa Airlines. They are a growing airline with 737's and currently hiring. They will type you on the airplane and you will gain valuable B737 glass cockpit time.

Whichever you choose aim for a position in a JET and with glass. That has seemed to help a lot of guys I've worked with.

1StepPrep

NightShift

Thanks for taking the time to reply, I appreciate your insight!

Thedude

Can you go from 135 freight to a major, yup...i know a couple of guys that did it.
But, that is a very rare thing to be done.

Personally, I would skip the regionals if I could and go straight to a national jet operator such as Jetblue, Virgin.

Since you only have a little more that 2000TT, going to a regional would benefit you.

aTomatoFlames

If you live in base QOL can be pretty good. My QOL is a lot better than when I was at AMF. I was working 5 days a week. Now, last month I had 18 days off and got paid 90hrs. For me that's better, yea the schedule is a little unpredictable but once you get some seniority most can make it work for them.

Just my .02 worth.

Kritchlow

Why not apply at the majors, give it a reasonable amount of time (6 months?), and see if you get any bites. If not, start applying at regionals while still updating with majors.

NightShift

Appreciate the responses guys. My situation is going to require moving back to ORD so a regional based there would be fine but I would be open to some commuting to the east coast if needed, I hear a west coast commute would be tough. I think the probability to go to a spirit or jet blue in say 15 months (my target time) is not high but I hope it will improve in a year? If it's not likely, maybe getting 1000tpic and finding a regional with a quick upgrade might work and maybe look more attractive after a few years? Any spirit guys think they can maintain the hiring without dropping the 4000TT? I heard some non mil guys are aggressive at the career fairs and make it happen, I've just never met anybody at spirit, so all I have is the limited stuff I've read on here.

rickair7777

Unless you're well connected or have some other stand-out credentials odds are the legacies are out of reach with turboprop time...too many military and 5,000 hour RJ CA's out there right now. SWA might be an option if you have turbine/135 checkairman credentials.

Otherwise shoot for a national...after working there for a while you would be competitive for the legacies. But be aware...the nationals know the score, and they try REALLY hard not to hire people who are going to bail for a legacy in two years. One of my buds said he'll happily recommend me but only if I commit to staying long term. Otherwise the company would never accept a recommendation from him again.

But in the mean time...might as well get your apps out to legacies and go to some job fairs. Can't hurt and you might get lucky, in which case there will be no need to wait for 1000 TPIC.

NightShift

Great advice! Really appreciate everybody's input it's definitely helped. My sig other might be moving out to join me in my current state so we will prob be here for at least a year starting the end of the summer and my target is for 3500TT and 1500TPIC. While legacies are a great, I would be happy spending a lengthy time at national and if it was the right place and fit spend my career there. I agree that jumping ship and the current pool are factors. I would love SW or Blue, Spirit, Virgin and maybe frontier are becoming places I've been more and more interested in and have a few friends at allegiant and would be open if things with labor turned around - though it would mean a move to base which isn't my first choice now. It will be interesting to see who bites in a year and I guess if not I could slug out a regional to gain some 121 time.

jbizon

Have you looked into Air Ambulance? I've been doing it for 5 years now in the PacNW and it's a great route. Great pay/benefits, amazing schedule, really easy job. I'm currently on a 7 day on/7 day off schedule. Check out Metro Aviation/Airlink, Cal-Ore, Reach, Airlife Northwest. Airlink flies PC12, Cal-Ore flies Cheyennes, Reach flies King Airs.