Not condoning it but after a couple years in the job it is what I have seen as FACT. Like it or not if you go to the 90 day ATP program and go zero to hero for 80K and then add the RJ sim program they have and then drop another 30K for Gulfstream you are ahead of your peers.

Regionals do not care where you got your hours or what you paid for them or how fast you made it happen, they care that you meet the mins for what they are looking for and will take turbine multi over piston multi.


It is a sad fact that will continue.

With all due respect, you have only worked for Colgan (I think).

Rather than saying "regionals don't care", you might want to say "my regional doesn't care". I most certainly think some regionals care and some pilot interviewers will care. Especially depending on the supply/demand curve at the time the interview takes place.

Now, I must admit, I've been at UPS for 20 years, and never worked for a regional. But I've been around the forums enough to know that certain regionals have different standards than other certain regionals. You can't paint them all with the same brush based on what Colgan is looking for.

[...]

Valid point. I know Colgan does not care and know of a few others.

As much as I would like to think we are one of the few that doesnt care where their applicants came from I just dont think that is the case. I suppose any regional that has a very strong pilot presence running the interviews with the ability to influence decisions it may be a different case.

I have a strong feeling that regionals that would frown upon zero to hero or pay for training are the minority.

I don't think SKW cares as a corporate entity, but our interviews are done by line pilots, and some of them most definitely care. I know a pilot who was declined because the interviewer did not like his professional background.

But I know at least on GIA alumn here. Well, I can't swear that he did pay-to-play, maybe he just worked there at one point.

Accidentally double posted... see below.

... the guy who posted it got a call from 2 regionals and a job. I'm at 1900TT and 300+ ME, trying to get one.

Well to be fair to my CFII, he was furloghed from a regional.

How'd you build up to 1700TT and what do you do if you don't fly Part 121? How did you find the job?

This hiring round, a guy I know got hired on at Eagle with ~1000 and 50 ME. A guy with ~2000 and 500 did NOT get called...

That does seem like a big disparity in experience, but just like many industries, sometimes personality during the interview can go a long way. Age discrimination can be a factor. A confident outgoing 35 year old with low time might be more attractive to management than a nervous 24 year old with more hours.

You know your screwed if he gets recalled right? Hate to be a downer, but thats usually the way it goes.


I worked everyday (yes seven days a week) for two+ years striaght. And now I fly charter in a PA-31. I have no desire to be a 121 pilot. It's to impersonal for me. Perfect example, I fly a gentleman regularly back and forth to Vegas. I get a $200 tip on the way there, and depending on how well he does while he's there, I get a tip starting at $200 on the way back. But, I also spend some of that tip money to make sure the airplane is well stocked for him so he enjoy's his ride. My boss knows my name. He buys me lunch when I'm there around lunch time. I get overnight pay, per-diem, bonuses, etc. When an airplane needs working on, I come in to help out and get mechanics pay(because I want to, not because I have to). I get right seat time in a Lear, and hopefully a Challenger 601 soon. There is lots more out there than airlines. But, the "dark side" is more of who you know than how well you do on any interview. My interview consisted of a few simple questions, and we BS'ed for a while to see if we would get along on extended stays while on trips.