Vtaildude

Hey all,

So, long story short. I'm bored.

Got into flying back in 06, knocked out my PPL and Instrument fixed wing rapid fire. Knocked out my Heli PPL right after because heli's are cool.

Was about to finish out the rest of the ratings but went ATC instead, took early retirement from the FAA when my "side business" took off and ended up going national... 6 months ago I sold the company, and now I'm "retired." I'm 35, retired, and bored out of my mind.... so I want to go to the airlines.

I have around 3600 hours.
750 of in tailwheel (alaskan flying)
15 multi from way back when I would do anything to sit right seat and log dual
350 rotorcraft
40 turbine
40 actual instrument
90 simulated instrument


I take the commercial written next week.


I need to add my multi commercial asap and get applying for airlines. Where would you go?

Who would even hire me with those times?

Should I knock out the single commercial as well or just worry about the multi?

Now the fun one... I use to commute in my cub (which is why I have so much tail wheel) since I was flying non stop (and landing a LOT off field) I only logged "monthly totals." Anyone see a problem with that?

Moe96

Full disclosure: I’m definitely not the best person to answer your questons (also a soon to be commercial pilot), but I thought I’d add in my two cents.

I presume the rest of your 3600 TT that isn’t tail wheel or rotorcraft is in a traditional fixed wing airplane. In my opinion, any regional would take you in a heartbeat, most LCCs, and maybe I’m being a bit too optomistic here, but I’d venture to say you even have a slim shot at the big 3 given your FAA background.

If you’re looking for regionals, I personally believe XJT and Skywest are the way to go. However, some people have different priorities (such as home base preference) which may lead them to other conclusions. I believe you should look at LCCs such as JetBlue. If you have no luck with them, direct entry PIC into a regional may be the next best thing.

If you don’t have the commercial flight requirements completed, it’s more cost effective to do your CPL check ride in ASEL then get AMEL as an add-on. That way you don’t have to do the commercial flights in a multi which is more expensive.

Though the way you logged your time is not optimal, I personally don’t think anyone cares as long as you can explain the route you flew during the month and the hours you logged for condition of flight are accurate (i.e. night, actual instrument, simulated instrument, etc.). This is especially the case if you had no flights between your commutes in other aircraft.

Here’s why: “Legal Interpretation to E. Thomas Sisk (Mar. 18,2008); see a/so Legal Interpretation to Alfred Tenuta, Jr. (Apr. 17,1998). These interpretations allow a pilot to string together multiple legs to log a single cross-country flight. However, there is nothing in § 61. 1(b)(3)(ii) or previous FAA interpretations dictating how separate flights must be logged. Accordingly, the pilot may choose what is considered a flight and what is merely a segment of a flight, and then log that flight time appropriately when the flight is conducted.”

That is straight from the FAA chief counsel’s office here is a link to that legal interpretation from the FAA website: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org...rpretation.pdf

Feel free to read it for full context. Hope I’ve been able to help. Good luck on your written, and perhaps someone else with more experience could also weigh in.

JohnBurke

Pretty much any regional. You have other options, too.

As you mentioned that you want the airlines, a regional is a no-brainer.

Logging your time by the month isn't necessarily a bad thing; I've known others to do it, mostly ag operators.

As a private pilot, however, it's a bit unusual. Generally private pilots like to log every detail.

Never the less, if you say you flew it and your ability backs up what you say you can do, it shouldn't impede you. Your goal here is ATP (the pilot certificate, not the business).

dera

You can't even apply at most LCC's without an ATP. You are being very, very optimistic.

Moe96

Didn’t know that. In that case I was definitely being overly optimistic. I still think it’s worth applying to LCCs given his background.

Vtaildude

Thanks for the help guys. Next question... would you apply prior to having the Multi Commercial done?

I would love Skywest....

B757

..I would recommend getting your ATP, and some more multiengine IFR experience first..Your total time is just fine, but you are likely going to have tough time getting through training (at any regional) with low ME/IFR hours..Seen it happen..

..Also, take the ATP-ride in a jet, and get a type rating at the same time..And see if you are ready for the airlines..Good luck !!

Fly safe,
B757

Excargodog

I’ll concede the point that you are definitely not the best person to answer his questions alright.

How does someone become a regional PIC with NO PREVIOUS 121 or 135 HOURS that can be counted against the 1000 hours he needs to do that?

Moe96

Funny how even with transparency you still get imbeciles such as yourself who respond. Good job contributing to the topic at hand here imebcile.

Vtaildude

Sounds good. I’ll pull the trigger on that 310 i was looking at today. Should be able to get 50 hours in a few weeks.