HuronPlt

Wow! First off, let me say “Thanks” for running such a great site. Been lurking around for a few weeks reading your stuff and the wealth of knowledge and experience here is amazing. But enough a$$ kissin! On to my exploitation of said knowledge and experience!
Quick CV: Navy (sort of)Helo guy, 1900TT(helo+FW), 1000FWME (C-12/B200), 500Pic (also C-12), ATP, 1st Class.
Papers are in, gettin out this Dec.
All very nice, but well short of Majors Mins. With that being the goal, my question is this:

Would I better serve my goal going for a regional FO slot, flying a nifty new RJ with all the glass goodies in the Pt 121 world for a year (or 2!) plus before upgrading and again starting to build Pt1 PIC time, or…finding a job flying another King Air (or similar) flying pax, cargo, whatever, where I could slide into the left seat relatively quickly and run up my PIC time?
Basically, in a few years (and the fewer the better!), when I start knockin on the doors to FedEx, UPS, CAL, SW, JB, etc., ad nauseum, with 3500-4000TT, 1000-2000PIC, is it going to matter which one I came from?
This is the situation facing me and several of my buddies. We’ve spent countless hours yappin about this (when we probably should of been paying attention to what we were doing!…”Woops. Guess we need to descend!” ...“Was that for us?”) but lack the outside world experience to have any meaningful insight into what would truly be better and faster.
And so…I submit this to The Board for cogitation, rumination, or dismissal as drivel!

I look forward to contributing to the site. That is, if anyone really wants to know about flyin around off pirate filled tin-cans and flyin brass and trash around the “taint” (we’re not quite the a$$, but we’re real close!) of the world!
Thanks again in advance.
AJ

HSLD

More More!

First, Welcome. I think you will find lots of interesting perspective and experience on this board, (and they hardly ever call you names like over at Brand X!).

I almost thought I was reading my own CV from when I left the Corps. Same profile for me, helos and not much FW, I found a job flying King Airs to build PIC time over the course of a few years after leaving the service. Movement was slower in the airlines back then and the regionals didn't fly the gee-wiz equipment they now have.

I don't think you have a bad choice.

Go for the regionals and yes you will take a big pay-cut, but the upgrades come as fast as 8-12 months at some airlines and you'll have the crew time at a 121 airline. Plan on about two years to get the upgrade AND the PIC time in type to be a player at the majors.

Go with the King Air job or any corportate gig and the PIC time will come slower but around two years you should have enough PIC time and at a higher wage.

Either way, with your pedigree (sort of ) you're in good shape, I wouldn't sweat it too much.

So, lets review. Regionals: low pay, fast promotion, 121 experience in a modern transport category jet. Corporate: More pay, less frequent flying, no/limited crew time, older equipment. Both paths will set you back around two years.

With your background, I don't think down the road at your 121 airline interview of choice it will really matter too much which path you choose. That said, I'm sure we'll see comments about which is better, but if I was the HR person accross the desk - I see that you had good "industry motivation". You left the service, took a cut in pay, did what you had to do to meet min. qual. to advance your aviation career.

Good Luck & hope to see you as a regular around here.

HuronPlt

Hey, Thanks HSLD! And especially for the summary! Gotta keep is simple for us Helo(sort of) guys!
Anyway, thats exactly the input I need.

New twist though. I just heard they need C-12 guys down in Getmo badly. Doin 50-60hrs/mo down there! My detailer also happens to ba an old squadronmate! If I could get 2yrs down there, 1200-1400hrs more, nearly all PIC, I might just consider hitchin on for 2 more. All those hours at my current pay! Hey, a guy's gotta have a dream, right! Even if they are of the "pipe" variety! (poor choice of words, perhaps!) Could just be rumor, but worth checkin out I think.

Speakin of upgrade time's! I've heard rumors about Chautauqa and Skywest being shorter these days. Can anyone confirm and/or add to the list? Anyone know how long that may last? Come'on...I know they issue you guys crystal balls when you're in "The Show!"

BTW HSLD, you a Phrog guy by chance? Before Bahrain I was drivin em out in Guam, till the new H-60S came online! Looks like the USMC Phrogs are safe, at least till the Osprey can stay in the air!
Fly Safe.

HSLD

At the risk of showing my age, I was a -46 bubba over at New River circa 1983 (yes everyone, BEFORE MTV) and they were old then. In fact the first one I "flew" was 2 years older than me.

As for the Getmo gig, it sounds like the best of both worlds. Fixed wing time, crew environment, current rank, and the glamour of being a naval aviator

If you need any other gouge send me a PM (private message).

Cheers

HuronPlt

Yeah, those 46's didn't get any yonger either! Two airframes we had out in Guam had patches from rounds they took in Nam! Still, as old and broke as they were, I loved flyin those things.

I'll be on the phone to the detailer soon as he wakes up on Mon checkin that route.