This is an extremely interesting thread. Sometimes your career throws an opportunity your way that you never planned on when you began your "master plan" and you have to adjust on the fly with limited info. I know my career has been that way.

In a vacuum, I think this is a really tough call. I'm from the old school of "get your turbine PIC ASAP before anything," because that's what I was told, and that's how things worked out for me. BUT...

-->I have flown next to LCC captains that left their regional right before their upgrade, and they're reaping rewards (solid seniority, QOL, and pay at a young age) for their gamble right now.

-->There does APPEAR to be a growing preference for those with diversified experience over those who have worked for one carrier for over a decade, even if such candidates have more PIC time.

To the OP, I think above all, you need to consider what's right for YOU. How will your QOL stack up as a regional captain vs. LCC FO? Pay, basing, what's best for you and perhaps your family?

If you stay, upgrade, and start trucking toward 1000 TPIC, are you willing to start networking HARD for the legacies, ASAP, because you don't want to become a lifer? Keep in mind it often takes a long time (6 months is fast, years is common) to work through the selection process.

If you go to an LCC will you take the first upgrade possible if you're still there, along with whatever QOL hit that may bring? That is where your short upgrade times come from, but they are certainly a QOL sacrifice, depending on the airline. Many wait years because they don't want to do that, which is fine, but are they any less "stuck" than a regional lifer?

Are you "sold" on this LCC, its model, culture, viability, etc? Also, it's a crystal ball, but how viable is your regional? As others said, do you have flow?

Lots more questions than answers here. I hope you make the choice that's right for you , because only you know the answers to these questions. Go for it and never look back.

I was hired at UA without the TPIC. I'll give you a little rundown of my story....

University of North Dakota for flight training, 3.9 GPA, 2 flying internships but none at airlines.... flight instructor...Cape Air... SkyWest. Was at SkyWest for a little over 4 years when UA called. 4300ish hours TT, most of which was TSIC. Worked on some projects with the safety department. Lots of volunteer from college days on, including leadership roles. Numerous job fairs and both internal UA and external recommendations, as well as a chief pilot meet and greet.... Nobody knows the secret formula but this was just my story and I feel extremely blessed for the opportunities I've had. Good luck with your decision.

Sent a PM - would love to get some more insights ....

Legacies want to see career progression. Looks like you have two options for that progression right now. I left my regional after 6 years in the right seat to fly corporate, then flew for a LCC and within months had a offer from a Legacy. They feel more comfortable hiring someone who will go out and chase this career down rather than someone who just punches in everyday waiting for their upgrade to come. QOL and money is hands down better at the LCC I work for, $97/hr second year FO with 17 days off a month based at home. No regional captain can touch that and you will still have your shot (probably a better one actually) at the legacies. Not to mention if you are at the LCC for five years you will probably find yourself in the left seat making $200k per year (if you try) with decent QOL as well. In my mind there is not any reason to stay at the regional, unless you think you have a shot at a management position in the near future.

I completely agree. Stale people aren't getting calls and complaining about it. I hope we get more guys to chime in that made it without the pic time.

Tpic hardly means anything these days! Those who say "get your 1000" are clearly out of touch with what's going on in the industry (I'm referring to the big three). I myself had 0 tpic and got hired along with a few others in my class. Just hit the job fairs and network. Don't waste time at a regional and gtfo while you can!

No 121 PIC time for me to get on with United, only a bit of part 91 TPIC. I was very active with networking, job fairs, leadership opportunities within the company/union, etc. I did however have 10 years of warming an RJ right seat with no opportunity to upgrade during the "dark decade".

No 121 pic time either when i got hired by UAL. And i have heard they prefer no PIC over 10,000 hours PIC guys because of a trend of people not being able to adapt to right seat again. Dont shoot the messenger thats just what i heard last time i was in DEN for training. I did flight training on my own after getting a non aviation degree. Went to a small 121 carrier for 2 years then a regional for 4 years and finally UAL after that. 3 job fairs and 2 chief pilot meet and greets later i got into UAL. PM if you want more specifics :) id go the route of LCC though for better pay better schedules and if you never make it to a regional you have a good career still.

Learned to fly later in life with 4-year degree (not aviation related) already in hand. Spent 3 years as a Part 61 CFI and FO with an air ambulance company flying a King Air C-90. Hired at a regional with about 2800 hours and spent three years there, all in the right seat. Hired at TWA and spent one year there on the B727 panel. Hired at Delta with about 5500 hours TT, 600 hours FE time, and no Part 121 PIC.

And a closet full of uniforms.