Lagoon

If you're coming from a 135 operation, I realize you're an unknown quantity for the airlines.

Right now, I'm working on my instrument rating.

Suppose I want to skip the regionals and go straight for the majors by working for a 135 company for a few years.

What's the average total flight time these days to get hired with one of the majors (with a BA, and all those basic requirements.....)?

How much do recommendations factor into the hiring process?

Let's take an extreme examples, 4000 hours with a few recommendations vs. 11,000 with no recommendations.

navigatro

for non-military, figure 8000TT and 4000 PIC average.

recommendations help a lot.

Macjet

If you want to work for an airline then go to the airlines. Flying 135 will get you crappy training at FSI, CAE, SimCom and maybe 300-400 hours a year. Apply to a well paying regional, get airline training, and fly 700-900 a year. I made the mistake of 135/91k and my peers are now senior captains while I'm a mid list FO.

KC135

Why would you want to do that? Quite a few regionals now start off at $60k first year FO and some top out double that. Your resume will usually be at the bottom of the stack at majors with 135 vs 121.

thrustset100

Why would anyone unnecessarily torture themselves with 135? Go to a regional. They pay pretty good now.

MOGuy

Ha! Are you effn kidding me?!? I've worked 2 regionals and now work for a reputable 135. Regional flying is for pu$$ies. If you want to actually become a pilot and have true flying skills along with truly understanding customer service...135. As a 121 regional bio you won't learn jack. PLENTY of girls and guys leaving for the legacies from my outfit. Training is hands down 10x that of 121 because you don't just jump through hoops, you truly learn the plane from professionals. Don't listen to this JA.

Plus we have way more fun ;0)

Macjet

I speak from a little bit of experience. I was former Army Aviation, flew air ambulance, flew 91, flew 135, flew 91K, fly 121, have trained at FSI, Bombardier, CAE, and SimCom, am currently a TCE with one of the above, current Transport Canada/JAA/FAA instructor, and a current 121 pilot. I've seen from all aspects numerous training programs. There is a major conflict of interest in a training program that evaluates the customer. Your typical business jet client is woefully inadequate in numerous fronts and their lack of standardization and oversight makes things even worse. Their accident rates follow inline with their training. The most standardized training outside of 121 that I've seen was at NetJets.

Regional pilots without a doubt transition better to mainline flying than your typical Cessna/Learjet/Falcon driver. Again, if you want to be an airline pilot then go to work for an airline. If you want to wipe the lav and stock coffee/ice/papers then find a 135 that wants a warm body slinging gear.

MOGuy

Wow. Impressive. Explains why there have been more 121 Runway overruns in that last 10 years than 135...and that's at the majors. But I guess since your military you must know all. I do agree that regional pilots transition well, hell of a lot better than the military guys, but nowhere near as well as the 135 guys. That's comparing apples(135) to onions(regional). You do realize 135 encompasses more than your
Ma and pa shops, right? Atlas, Omni, Eastern, XO. Any time g a bell??? All doing way more complex flying than you've probably ever done. Btw, have you seen the quality of FOs greased up and sliding through the regionals these days? Oh prolly not bc you, I'm speculating, never touched an RJ or its crappy pay and lovely schedules.

Peace. Love. Happiness. 🙄

Silver02ex

I don't know about you but after, being a CFI, flying bank checks over the mountains, 8 years flying with the regional. I'm ok with just one transcon on a the Bus and calling it a day. I'm well past the whole "my job is more complex and do more real flying" phase of my career.

MOGuy

agreed. This wasn't a pee pee contest it was simply to say that 135
Will provide you with the quality skills to land a retirement 121 gig. That's the point. 135 is tough, is sucks, it's hard, but it will provide you with the technical and customer service skills way more than any regional will ever do.