What Training Would You Do?
 

Assuming you had the money, which training would you do given the following 3 choices.
1. ATP SES and a Tailwheel endorsement
2. ATP MES
3. B737 type
They are all about the same amount right now. Which one and why?

BTW, those of you who are going to go on a rant saying "Don't ever pay for a type" please don't bother. That's not the point here.

Your profile says that you are currently a Navajo pilot. So, you are a pro pilot, presumably looking to move up in pay and responsibility.

The B-737 type (ATP) shows more to an airline personel department than any seaplane rating.

I know full well that serious tailwheel experience means much greater crosswind competency than most nosewheel only pilots ever attain, but airline personel department people usually are not pilots. And even most interview pilots that you encounter will not have any tailwheel experience.

Do you have an ATP yet? If not pick one up in a basic single engine first. An ATP in a C-172 is dead cheap. If you are currently flying the Navajo, and your boss will allow it, and you feel competent, get it in the Navajo.

Joe

Actually I would probably get the ATP MES and go get a job flying twin otters on floats or something similar in paradise (ie. Caribbean/ Hawaii). I know there are a couple companies hiring pilots right now. You really can't argue with Hawaiian shirts and shorts for uniforms. Plus you have the beach, pina coladas, girls in bikini's.... need I say more ;).

I'm not sure how the rest of the places are but... the place I did my MES gave a tw endorsement during the training since most MES aircraft are multi-engine tailwheel... except some of the bigger ones. I'm not sure if that's something to consider... the rating is a lot of fun but not too useful.

If I could get the Boeing type for as cheap as the MES rating, I'd go for that one.

now... if money wasn't a problem.. I'd get something like an F4U, F-86, A-4, or something similar type rating... cause well... those are just really cool aircraft.

Good Points
 

Joe, I do have an ATP. Got it in the Navajo during one of my 135 rides. I'm looking at all kinds of options, not just typical airline, although my airline of choice (no, it really isn't Southwest, although I wouldn't turn down a job from them) flies the B737.

Walk, I know exactly what you mean. I think Seaborne would be a lot of fun, and I have a little Twotter time already, but the 24 month commitment is a little hard to swallow.

Ryan, where did you do your MES? Right now you can get the B737 type for about a thousand more than the MES, so it's pretty close in price.

I did my SES for fun. It was fun, but useless in the pro aviation world. I'm glad I did it, but I can't rent one.

The 737 type would be more useful to a career, but not required.

Why ATP SES or MES? Isn't a Commercial enough? Whats the point of an ATP in a seaplane? The SES/MES could be useful for a job in Alaska or carribean, but they tend to hire people from there already.

I'd go for the Glider add-on myself. ;)

I did mine with Skip at XFL, he's a good guy... it's done in a UC-1 Twinbee. You'll get a tailwheel out of the deal also. You're probably looking at about 6-7 hours to get the MES (Commercial)... you can probably get everything done for under $2900 including the checkride. I did the actual checkride with John Brown (out of Jack Brown's). It's a pretty straight forward rating... it'll probably take maybe 4 days total. PM me if you're interested and I'll put you in touch with Skip... he has some good connections with Seaborne if I recall.

For something like $4100 you can get SES and MES including the checkrides...

If you go with the 73 type...be advised that some major airlines (other than SWA) may give you a hard time about having a 73 type with no operational experience. It usually means that you applied to your first choice (SWA) got rejected or haven't been called yet and are now looking at companies lower on your list. They may assume that you will quit as soon as SWA calls...

It cleans up the certificate. Airplane Single & Multiengene Land & Sea

Atp
 

Otto, didn't think about the glider. Could be fun. The purpose for the ATP SES or MES is just in case I actually need it. I already have an ATP, and I don't have a problem doing the instrument work.

Ryan, I would like the contact information. Also heard about a guy who does it with a Widgeon, I think, but it is more expensive.

Rick, I would actually like to get a 717 type, but it is a lot more expensive than a 73. Southwest is not my first choice, and my first choice also flies the 73.