Arrow24

Hello!

I am a crewmember and received a CJO last year through the gateway program. I am nearing the end of my training with ATP, and will have the option of either working for one of B6’s Part 135 partners (Cape Air, JSX, or Tradewind), or flying 1000 hours at a regional/Part 121 before returning to B6.

From the 135 side, I would be interested in working for Cape Air. As part of B6’s agreement with Cape Air, I would get hired at around 500-700 hours, upgrade to Captain at 1500 hours, and then fly for 1 year as Captain before going directly to B6.

From the regional side, I would need to fly 1000 hours at that regional/Part 121 carrier and then I can return to B6.

Factoring in instructing to 1500 hours along with class delays, training time, and reserve time at a regional, and assuming a Cape Air pilot flys about 80-100 hours/month (that seems to be the average), would it be better to pursue the Cape Air option as it appears to be much faster in getting back to B6? From my research, the Cape Air option should take about 2ish years (give or take) from initial hire to complete. I have until March 2027 to complete my time building and return to B6 for my CJO to be valid.

Appreciate any help!

avi8orco

Or go to a wholly owned regional and possibly have a flow agreement to a legacy carrier. Regional pilots are getting picked up by legacy carriers left and right. If Cape Air fits your situation, life, ect., fine, go with that and take the B6 job when it comes but don’t hold yourself to that if you don’t have to. You can go to a regional and build time, when you get there, if you want, you can go to B6, however by the time that happens a job offer from United, Delta, or AA might materialize. In that case I’d run, not walk to that, especially if the music is still playing and they are still hiring like they are now. In the long term, especially if you plan on a 25-30 year or more career, you will very likely do better at one of the legacy carriers, however, evaluate your situation before you do it. None of us are in the same boat.

Excargodog

Go to the first place that you can actually get 121 hours. It used to be that 1000 TPIC was the price of admission to a major. Now 950 SIC hours will generally get you a DEC job anywhere you want in the regionals with much higher pay than Cape Air and probably a job offer from a ULCC/LCC (including JB). Regionals will be better for pay, if you can find one with enough CAs to actually fly you.

SaintNick

Regional for sure have more options

crash312

Been a while since I've looked at hiring....are any other desirable majors hiring directly from Cape Air? If not then the regional route seems the better option. If you don't have to, don't put all your eggs in the JB basket. A few years down the road the airline landscape could look very different than today (better, worse, something unforeseen), better to have a couple exit strategies than just one. Wouldn't surprise me if Legacies start to outright buy and merge regionals into mainline within a few years. One big variable is if you have a family/kids, then commuting and bases come into play.

Arrow24

Thank you all for your advice! I will keep that in mind going forward. Really appreciate it!