I am considering two potential paths to the majors;
1) Normal path, CFI to 1500, then regionals, then slog it out until the majors call.
2) Work my way into a King Air (overseas ISR) and log as much ME TPIC time as possible.

If I were to get about 3000 TPIC (in about 3, 3.5 yrs) with about 4000 total...could I reasonably expect to skip 121 regionals and get on with a major, (Big 6) or do I need to slay the 121 beast at a regional no matter what? I am way closer to 50 than 40...so time matters.

Thanks for your inputs.

 

Honestly depends on your existing background.

Expect 3-5 years of ISR time to make it to the majors, perhaps more from a purely civilian background. Only folks I’ve seen make to a major in under 3 years of ISR had some military flight experience. The single pure civilian ISR pilot I know to get a call from a a major (FedEx) had been doing it for about 10 years. As the retirements at the majors pick up, perhaps those timelines will shorten.

All things being equal, you’d probably be better off going to one of the AA Wholly Owned regionals sincerely they have a flow through agreement... folks from them leave to go to majors in a regular basis.

 

Thanks Otter, PM sent.

 

ISR is a decent alternative for mil pilots who need to get/stay current or top off their total time while waiting for a call.

For a civilian, it's just going to be light prop time, which is not as good as rj time for most majors.

 

Thanks Rick, good to hear the sage advice.

 

Good luck buddy, put on your boxing gloves and fight for what you want however you have to in order to make it happen. It's worth the fight, just remember your reason for doing it because the road is challenging.

 

I did ISR before I came to my current corporate job. Now like you, I'm closer to 50 than 40 and considering the airlines. ISR is good work IF you like the adventure of the military environment, can handle and even enjoy groups of very strong type A personalities, and don't mind being away from home a minimum of 7 months a year. If you have a military background it makes the transition much easier.

That being said, if I were in you're position in today's market I'd pick a regional with a domicile I like and go that route. It seems like the most logical route if a major is the goal you really care about. With bonuses and increasing pay it is not quite the slave ship it was even just a few years ago. Worse case, if you get stuck there you can at least manage a living once you've been a captain a few years.

On the other hand, at your age you could also just forget the airlines and seek out fun flying jobs. If adventure is your goal and you define adventure as travel to austere locations doing important work with a generally good group of guys. ISR pays well and can keep you busy.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

Do you think you'll be ready to jump into a multi crew cockpit in an IFR environment, for your interview check?

 

Yup. No sweat. I'm a retired Nav. It was always IFR for me...and dark.

VFR scares Hell outa me though. Too many crazies out there.

Seriously though, I think I'll need to check the 121 box in order to get the most points on the app process. The "safe" answer is just go all 121 and play the game. But if I could get a bunch of TPIC prior to the regionals, that would be nice. It just means I start at the regional a little later. It's all good.

 

JohnBurke, were you a P3 bubba?

CastleBravo, Retired P3 NFO here. PM me if you have any questions. Currently in the regional 121 world.