Linear Air vs. Cape Air
 

Two companies that I am interested I might be interviewing with, does anyone have any input? I know Cape quite well but Linear is a small Fractional operating outside of BOS in BED and has Caravans and Eclipse jets, seems like they are a growth company with some good potential. Just wondering if anyone can fill the void?

They do the same thing...qol of life is better at cape since I have a few friends that work at each but neither one at either company has complained. Kind of like shooting yourself in the foot though either way because one is a turbine single engine cessna and the other is a light piston twin.

If i HAD to choose I would pick alpha flying in portsmouth

The only thing that stinks with alpha is that they have a 1 hour report time, so living south of Boston would be impossible for me, and Im not moving anytime soon. Any suggestions? Why would you say QOL is better at cape, plus have you seen people move from cape to a larger fractional such as net?

the only reasons behind me saying QOL at cape is better is because a few friends I have there really enjoy the flying immensely, greatly enjoy the people they work with and dont mind their schedules or flight hours. Of course this is not representative of the whole pilot group but it is fairly rare that you hear of a disgruntled cape pilot.

As for moving on I would say that probably the chances are better with cape even though it is light twin. The reasons behind that are even if you start at linear with 100+ multi and stay for 4000 hours you still only have 100 multi which does not cut it for most fractionals, the multi and experience gained at Cape will get you further although it is not turbine time.

Alpha is going over to a 7 and 7 schedule so I am not sure how report times would be.

This was just my two cents based on the little I knew...I am sure there are a few that are currently there who can help you out more, I only know personally around 5 people total between the two companies. All are happy

Thanks for your input. I currently have about 1200TT and 550 multi(450 turbine), so I guess I have some deciding to do. I do want to go 135 and stay in Boston.

airnet....move for a while and then come back to BOS in the lear?

I'd agree that the time at Cape is the best for moving on to something bigger. The multi time combined with it being single pilot IFR 135 carries a lot of weight. However, you only have 1250 total time. The turbine you have is nice but my guess is it is all right seat and that doesn't carry too much weight. That said however, the market is getting tighter and tigher. You may find something to your liking sooner rather than later. If you stick it out at your current job until 1500 total, grab an ATP and then try Cape, I think you'd be in good shape.

I would not put money down on the 7/7 at Alpha Flying ever occuring. That's a carrot being dangled to keep the pilots from leaving. Not that many aren't already.

Mr. I.

Cape air flying in priceless once you have in your log. Single pilot IFR in a New England winter is looked up to by future employers. All pic but burning Avgas insted of Kero. Still worth it, I would not trade that time for anything.
Pretty easy to move on to a crappier regional gig later to get the Turbine time. Cape air experience will have you well and truly current for a quick upgrade elsewhere. A very high workload at times.

One night flying out of Nantucket, weather was at mins (1800rvr, VV100), and a bit of wind.

I overheard on Cape Approach, from a small jet (citation maybe), Cape relayed the current conditions to the jet, to which the reply "Has anyone been getting in", Cape said the last 4 all made it in easy, The Jet asked, "were they all Cessna 402's". Cape Approach said "yes" and the Jet replied with, "I think we will divert"

Heard that a few times.

Would you say that moving from an FO at a regional flying a Saab to Cape Air would be looked upon as downgrading? And would prospective employers frown upon this type of move?