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:D

Looking for honest opinions...I'm a military pilot looking for a career in 121 flying. I'm currently full-time reserves instructing in C-130s. I've put in apps with the majors but I've noticed I'm on the lower end of experience (3100TT, 2850 MEL turbine, 1850 PIC/instructor).

I hadn't really considered regionals because after 15 years of flying I was making too much to justify going to $20k a year, but if upgrades are quick, Gojets CA pay is reasonable and I could get some more PIC time without going broke. Plus I have family in STL and basing from there would be easy (I'm at LIT).

Anyone have any insights? Not looking for flame wars but real opinions from those who've worked regionals. Thanks!

It is my understanding that upgrades are quick, if you have over 4,500 hours.

+1

Also, I think you would need 1000 hrs of 121 experience before you can act as CA per new regs, somebody correct me tho, haven't gone over the new regs in a while...

Thanks. I'm not planning on making the jump to 121 flying till the fall at the earliest, but I'll keep some of the regionals in mind. The major downside to the military is we just don't rack up hours anymore. By the end if this year I'd guess I'll have closer to 3,400TT and 2,100 PIC, but who knows with this budget nonsense.

As it is, I'm looking at a 20% cut in pay (I'm an Air Reserve Technician), so that's not much different than being a CA at an airline like Gojets...and I'd accumulate more relevant flight time faster. I can always fly part time with my unit as well.

Can anyone confirm this?

And Does this part of the new reg have a grand-father clause?

It wouldn't hurt to do 6-12 months in the right seat first if you have no prior 121 experience.

Found the document...

http://www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...0-AJ67NPRM.pdf

To be more accurate, you will need 1,000 hrs of Air Carrier Operations in order to act as PIC. Be it Part 121, Part 135.243(a)(1) or Part 91.1053(a)(2)(i).

Right...I wouldn't want to go straight to the left seat in an operation I'm not all that familiar with, but at the same time after years of being in my current line of work I've wound up with a mortgage, three kids and stuff. Working as a regional FO for years and years wouldn't make financial sense. Upgrading in a year or so would be doable, especially since Gojet CAs make about what I'll make while on federal furlough (we're losing one days pay a week).

I'm all for learning the business from the right seat.

Funny, I did just that when I flew Learjets for the USAF...flew pax all over, to military airfields, major airports (ATL, DFW, IAD, etc) and even small uncontrolled airfields in BFE...but since I was military, none of those 1000 hours in the Lear 35 count I'm guessing!