Flying Enoch

I'm at a fork in the road and looking for some advice on the topic:

I am a 5 year CA at a regional, with approximately 3900TT, 900 TPIC.

I hold relatively good seniority in my domicile (lineholder), and lives 15 minutes from the employee lot. I am also involved with the Union, as well as extracurricular activities (resume builders) with my current company.

I've always dreamed of one day working for FedEx, or a legacy airline.

Question: Does leaving my regional to pursue a wide body type rating, and international experience set me up better for my "end-goal", or would remaining at my current job do that?

There may also be opportunities to become a LCA, or enter the training dept. etc. with my current employer.

Also, the 1st year with the new position would be a pay cut, but I will be right back to the same pay (and perhaps more) by the second year.

GogglesPisano

Stay put. I went from regional to ACMI to legacy. Starting out on year 1 pay twice is financially devastating. Most ACMI outfits are on the whole no better than regionals as far as pay/QOL issues are concerned. Since you drive to work the home-basing they offer isn't a selling point (not if the price you pay is ultra-long trips, as is usually the case.) I'm fairly certain heavy international time is not as impressive as more TPIC or check airman time.

You'll have plenty of time to fly heavies around the word when you get that legacy job.

Volunteer. Get a checkairman/management job.

Focus on that.

Flying Enoch

Thanks. Would that also be your advice if I were heading to a LCC? Reason I asked is because I also have an interview lined up at one, as well. (I know there's several threads out there on this topic, just figured I'd ask)

GogglesPisano

I'd go with a LCC over an ACMI any day of the week. But if your goal is a legacy I'd get that check airman/management box checked ASAP.

Saafer

Good advice and I am at Fedex.

FL450

Just looking at it on a big picture scale. Let's say you become a LCA, more involved in the union, and you have your 1000 TPIC what else are you doing to make yourself stand apart? Out of the 13,XXX regional pilots vying for the same legacy or cargo job that you are what makes you different? Community service, teaching special needs, impeccable recommendations? Hypothetically 5000 of those may have the same credentials as you but that's still 5000 pilots competing for the same position. By no means am I saying an ACMI heavy type will change your Odds but I have seen it help a few that were once in your position.

The best decision is the one you don't regret! Best of luck

Braniff DC8

I went back to a regional after stints at ACMIs. They're all pretty terrible and will mistreat you alot. Don't do it.

HVYMETALDRVR

If you are already at a regional flying a 70 seat jet as PIC I'd say it's only a matter of time. Assuming you don't have more than one busted ride, no DUI's etc. Just go with your ground game, job fairs, networking, community service etc., I don't think right seat of 777 or 747 will make much of a difference at this point...

I'm looking at ACMI's myself, but that's only because I'm coming back into 121 and don't want to play the regional game. But if you're already a RJ CA? You're about 75% there.

PotatoChip

I left a captain seat at a regional with less than 1000tpic for an ACMI 747 job... fast forward five years and I'm in ground school at a regional for a captain job.
I've been updating my apps every week for three years, college degree, volunteer work, etc.
If your goal is a legacy, I'd stay. That said, I don't regret my decision.

HVYMETALDRVR

What ACMI were you at? Evergreen? World? Ryan?