Regionals or ACMI?
 

The goal is a major 121. Right now I'm deciding whether I want to persue a regional or an ACMI to get there.
I'm in my early 30s and very mobile.

3200 TT ATP
900 Turboprop
600 scheduled 135 in Navajos
1700 in Alaska.
All PIC.

I'd like to live somewhere warm if it works out but time off is probably my #1 QOL factor. I love travelling around the world, that's why ACMI looks so appealing. I work a 15 on /15 off gig right now that works great for that, but I'm sick of the cold and the deathtrap flying. Also, I'd like to have time to work on my degree.

Recommend a regional! Sell me on Atlas! Should I try Netjets? Anything helps guys.
Thanks

Anything but Atlas. If you want ACMI try Kalitta, ATI, NAC, Omni... anything but Atlas/Southern.

I’ve experienced both regional life and the ACMI world. This question really comes down to the kind of flying you enjoy doing. If you like flying several sectors in a day and working 4 days on/4 days off, regionals will be great for you if you can live in base. If you enjoy being in other countries, enjoy long haul flying, and have a taste for adventure, ACMI (at least flying a wide body) will be a great fit for you. Also, cargo flying I have found to be a more relaxed environment than passenger flying over all. Don’t go for the money. Contracts change constantly. Go for lifestyle as well as building the resume for the major airline you wish to work for.


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I was at a regional for 15 years, and have been at an ACMI for 6 months. I absolutely love it here at K4. You are on a paid ticket everywhere you go (lately, it’s been mostly UA First class), and there’s no more commuting/crashpads. You usually will fly one long leg and then layover somewhere for a day or two. Yes, we go to some crappy locations, but we also have nice layovers and decent hotels. I’m making more on 1st year pay than I did on 15 year CA pay at my previous carrier.

Also, we work 16 day trips. It’s nice to have your 14/15 days off blocked together. Then, you can really enjoy your days off. 4 on 3 off doesn’t really allow you to do much.

To me, passenger flying is horrendous. Crowded airports, crowded planes, pushy gate agents, and overdramatic flight attendants ruined that segment for me. It’s nice to hop on a plane, take off your tie and be on your way for the day. Not to mention, making dinner or catching some sleep in the bunks is a ton better than flying a 4-5 leg day in and out of New York or Chicago.

Just my .02, but I would never recommend the regionals...or pax flying for that measure.

With your experience you can get hired at any regional. I would recommend that path (heavy 121 experience with fast upgrade) to get you to your goal. Doing long haul international ACMI you'd only fly a few legs a month and upgrade could take a while. Domestic ACMI would probably make you miserable.

I'm at USA Jet and like the ACMI life. Pay is good from the start, much better than the regional, and 14 days off guaranteed per month (they can buy days, but 100% your choice). You can space them pretty much anyway that you like. Same time zone usually, DC-9, MD-80, 727. Absolutely none of the hassles associated with the commuters and none of the hazardous duty associated with the larger ACMIs. Good place, but as always, your mileage may vary.

You’re a prime candidate for Everts Air Cargo. Give them a shout.

What is "heavy 121" at a regional?

Apply to Frontiet, Spirit, JetBlue, SunCountry, Allegiant.... with your time, skip the regionals

I'm guessing 100+ hours a month and 60+ T/O & LNDGS?

Good advice, regionals are fast becoming a training program for CFI's.