The fastest way would be to stay and get the TPIC. With that being said, there are plenty 10-20 year regional guys who have been waiting ages for the golden call. You could be turning down six or even seven figures worth of opportunity cost wages by turning down the LCC depending on how long it takes to get the legacy call.

Completely agree with this. Don't pass up a ticket out of the regionals because you don't know when your next opportunity will be. Like Rahlifer said, if the economy goes to crap again, you don't want to be stuck in a bad spot. Go to the LCC and keep trying for a legacy there if that's your ultimate goal.

There are also plenty of people being hired without TPIC at legacies also. It's not as crucial as it once was.

Have apps in everywhere the entire time, get to 1000 tpic asap, and near the end ramp up the networking. Getting somewhere that you can stay long term in case the economy burps should be your #1 priority. You can make a career work at a LCC if you have to. Sticking it out for a decade at a regional dealing with a mickey mouse operation isn't going to improve your resume.

Delta said the same thing to me three years ago. "We want captains..." but what they aren't saying is that getting hired by a LCC, background checked, trained, and gaining experience under a new/different FOM takes a lot of effort and a certain caliber of person. It shows you are trainable, likeable, and proficient at a different level. Regionals hiring standards haven't exactly been selective and AQP has made it possible to have a great resume but be a complete doorknob. I threw a LCC on my apps and had offers from Southwest, Alaska, Delta, and United. LOR's don't go bad for a lot of places so keep racking them up and beating down all doors. Good luck!

LCC FOs will tell you take the LCC job.

Regional captains will tell you to stay as a regional captain. Some of them even still think '1000' hours of PIC is categorically significant. They'll also tell you to go rent a movie from Blockbuster.

Truth is, there is no straight answer. People are getting hired from each category.

Do whatever is best for you and your family and don't look back. Don't make your life miserable at an LCC you would have to commute to, or where you didn't really want to work in the first place.

Personally for me, I would take the LCC as I prefer that kind of flying over regional flying. It's also something new and different, with better career potential if I never make it to a legacy carrier.

You never know IF a major will call, so go/stay where you're willing to (or at least would rather) be for the remainder of your career.

That said, while "1000 turbine PIC" is a great box to check it seems that it's not entirely necessary in most cases. If you really don't have a preference of carrier long term I'd probably say stay and get the Captain time, and if you enjoy teaching maybe try to get some check airman time too.

There are so many other, more important variables that this advice is worth about what you're paying for it. Good luck.

What are upgrade times at most LCCs?

Thanks for the input guys. To be perfectly honest I'm leaning towards LCC. Bus time sounds great, esp with better schedules, more efficient pairings and commutability.

Can those who, or have friends who went to a legacy carrier without pic time please chime in on their journey, education, experience levels. Just curious how long one would hang at an LCC before moving on without pic time assuming they could get hired before upgrading considering upgrade times seem to be in the 3-5 year range at the moment.

Might change when you upgrade at a LCC.

I just started with Allegiant and it's as little as one year. Most guys seem to take it 1.5-2 years.

My advice, unless you have a true flow, get out of the regionals. If **** were to hit the fan, would you want to be at a place with pretty legit QOL and pay (and equipment) compared to regionals; or stick it out flying 4-5 legs a day?

I'm not saying all regionals suck, I had great QOL my last 2 years, but big picture I think it's a no brainer to get to an LCC. You may never get a legacy call. I would rather be an LCC lifer CA than regional lifer.