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Are turboprops losing status?

Old 10-31-2019, 08:56 AM
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Default Are turboprops losing status?

Up until a few years ago it seemed like someone getting TPIC in a turboprop, especially one of the heavier turboprops like the Q400 or Saab 2000, was judged by the major airlines to have accumulated equivalent experience to those who had been flying CRJs and ERJs. I have been told by several people that this seems to no longer be the case, but exactly how they became to be of this opinion seems sort of...sketchy.

Now please, this is not an attempt to get into a Johnson measuring contest or a put down of guys who fly turboprops. I have JS’d on turboprop aircraft that did impressive CAT 3 approaches and went into short fields where I wouldn’t have wanted to go with an rj.

But what I would like to know from any of you with turboprop TPIC who have recently interviewed with a major or talked to a major recruiter if anything was said or done that gave you the idea that some majors were now somehow regarding turboprop TPIC as anything less than equivalent to jet PIC.

Basically the question is:

If someone has the opportunity to either fly as a turboprop PIC or a jet PIC, what would look better on his/her resume and by how much?

Obviously ex-military guys with C-130 or other turboprop time are a special case. Feel free to participate but please identify yourselves as having military turboprop TPIC because You aren’t really the demographic I’m aiming for here.
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Old 10-31-2019, 01:45 PM
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They never called me until I got jet PIC (I had plenty of jet SIC and turboprop PIC).

I assume SWA would have called had I applied back then, they were scooping up my buddies left and right. But other than SWA it wasn't looking good for that group.

Apparently statistics show that a turboprop pilot is more of a training risk. But you'd think jet SIC would solve that. I think large turboprop PIC, especially 121, would be worth having but you may need to get some jet time eventually. Small or SE turboprop won't do much.
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Old 10-31-2019, 02:20 PM
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I had a bunch of Q400 Pic as my only turbine time and didn’t have a problem getting on with a major when it was still “somewhat” competitive.

I’ve always told people though that all things considered equal, never choose prop over jet. While it may not hurt you, it won’t help you.
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Old 10-31-2019, 05:29 PM
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ALWAYS choose the easiest aircraft to fly. Do this and your career will flourish; facetious but true.
While I was flying the 747 I was told by two legacies at a job fair to continue to build that valuable heavy 747 time.... where I literally sleep and do nothing for up to 10 hours at a time.
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Old 10-31-2019, 05:51 PM
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Originally Posted by Excargodog View Post

If someone has the opportunity to either fly as a turboprop PIC or a jet PIC, what would look better on his/her resume and by how much?
As someone trying to decipher the major airline resume mystery machine...

Well, I would say that indeed "Jet PIC" is better for "resume purposes." But it seems more and more the majors are evaluating other things, such as leadership roles, education, safety officer, chief pilot, etc roles. Also volunteer work.

So I would say "it depends." A non-degree holder with Jet PIC probably scores lower in the resume mystery machine than a degree guy with Turboprop PIC.

Also, turboprop PIC- are these day VFR trips for a private Part 91 owner to take his wealthy daughter to college and back ? Or Part 121 Q400's in ice and snow ?

I would say it is also "how you articulate it" on your resume/etc.

A glance at the AA and especially SWA forums show numerous "I have 5000 jet PIC, no call" types of posts.

Clear as mud...?
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Old 11-01-2019, 10:47 AM
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Originally Posted by BarrySeal View Post
Well, I would say that indeed "Jet PIC" is better for "resume purposes." But it seems more and more the majors are evaluating other things, such as leadership roles, education, safety officer, chief pilot, etc roles. Also volunteer work.
I would say you need to do both. A great leader, trainer, volunteer with low flight time will probably never get called. A pilot with lots of flight time but no extra-curricular bullets will be at a disadvantage and may never get called.

Originally Posted by BarrySeal View Post
So I would say "it depends." A non-degree holder with Jet PIC probably scores lower in the resume mystery machine than a degree guy with Turboprop PIC.
Yes. DAL will hire low-time RJ FO's on rare occasion. But not without a degree. Also that's a real brass ring grab, so don't plan your career on that kind of luck (unless you have an uncle on the BoD or something).

Originally Posted by BarrySeal View Post
Also, turboprop PIC- are these day VFR trips for a private Part 91 owner to take his wealthy daughter to college and back ? Or Part 121 Q400's in ice and snow ?
Regionals cannot afford to care right now. Majors will absolutely be looking for professional turbine experience, either military or as similar as possible to jet 121 operations.

135 and even more so 91 experience are less desirable to the top-tier majors who can be picky. They don't want to hire a great pilot who turns out to hate the 121 lifestyle and quits.

135 training is not necessarily as consistent as 121 training (which is relatively but not perfectly consistent).

Part 91 training means the pilot is the customer at Flight Safety. Typically a much lower-pressure training environment. Similar with foreign airline pilots who may spend up to six months or more getting a type rating, while US majors cram that same "training" into six weeks.



Originally Posted by BarrySeal View Post
I would say it is also "how you articulate it" on your resume/etc.

A glance at the AA and especially SWA forums show numerous "I have 5000 jet PIC, no call" types of posts.
Yes, the resume needs to be good, but you also need to work the network, job fairs, meet 'n greets, etc. In this environment you MUST have extra-curricular resume bullets of some sort or a well-connected friend on the inside. It's a game, many folks are playing it hard right now and they are the ones who will get called.

Also... when you meet folks in person you'll want to be physically fit, very well groomed, and very well attired. First impressions go a long way, even if they don't officially or consciously discriminate against overweight slobs.

A top major job is a lifestyle and economic game-changer, so you're up against some serious competition. Don't take that lightly. Lot of guys are asking what's wrong with me? Probably nothing, but there are a lot of other folks who are trying harder and have more meat on the resume. Who do you THINK they're going to call?
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Old 11-01-2019, 11:09 AM
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I was hired at Delta in 2017 with almost no jet time (130 hours in a single engine mil jet)

I had probably 2500 hours PIC in Turboprops. Everything from a T-34, through almost every King Air variant and the biggest thing was an E-2.

You want to talk about worthless time? My 4000 helicopter hours don't count for crap anywhere. But the 1.7 I flew in a friend's 172 did.
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Old 11-01-2019, 11:55 AM
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Originally Posted by CX500T View Post
I was hired at Delta in 2017 with almost no jet time (130 hours in a single engine mil jet)

I had probably 2500 hours PIC in Turboprops. Everything from a T-34, through almost every King Air variant and the biggest thing was an E-2.

You want to talk about worthless time? My 4000 helicopter hours don't count for crap anywhere. But the 1.7 I flew in a friend's 172 did.
Military turboprop time is a different animal, and will get you hired just fine.
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