Actually, turbine PIC became an issue in the late 70's. I started my first commuter job in '78 (regionals were called commuters back then) and turbine PIC was a prime issue. It was a particular issue for civilian pilots. We had a hell of a time competing with the Vietnam era pilots still floating around in the system not to mention the remaining military guys, and later, gals.

But my opinion apparently doesn't matter nor does it count. I guess I'm arrogant, self-centered and oblivious. I don't know about all of that crap. But I do know that I am, in fact, a Vietnam veteran. And I'm still trying to figure out what that has to do with this whole thread.

 

Vietnam. I guess skyhigh inserted the subject in an attempt to misdirect the conversation.

 

I have missed you Ranger. How have you been?

SkyHigh

 

Turbine PIC has been prefered for a long time now. Space shuttle command time is highly regarded as well. Neither however was a requirement untill after 2001 at most airlines.

I could have stuck it out at Horizon Air and hindsight is 20/20, but even if I had I don't think it would have helped much.

Had I stuck it out I could have reached 1000 hours of Dash 8 turbine PIC after perhaps 6 to 7 years at Horizon. I would have been pushing 40 years old by then. My competition was from 28 year old RJ captains from the east coast. I saw them at every interview I went to at Alaska Airlines. I was being aged out of the profession. I thought that my best chance was to be sitting in the interview with 757 PIC time and that is why I went to National Airlines. (they also paid much more) They were even promising a faster upgrade than the best estimate anyone had at Horizon.

I took a risk. I had to. In order to win big we all have to risk big. At the time National Airlines was the darling of the industry. When jump seating on Alaska Airlines the captains were quizzing me on how to get hired there. By my lower 30's I had a new family and raising bills and needs. If my aviation career was going to survive I needed to reach my goals sooner than later. It almost worked too.

Even with 1000 PIC in a Dash 8 it only would have slimed my odds to one in three. Most of my peers are still there grinding a path to and from SEA and PDX. By now they see the writing on the wall and have accepted their fate. Had I stayed I would be among them still and would be less than happy with those results.

Skyhigh

 

Wow Skyhigh, you seem really jealous. Get over it.
[QUOTE=SkyHigh;166856]

 

Ok, you admit that you were in control of your career. You made what seemed to be the best move at the time and it didn't work out. You're lucky, or well prepared, to have another career path outside of aviation. I seriously don't understand your obession with this issue.

As I wrote once in a past exchange, I have a very similar story. Maybe I was just too stupid to recognize that the career had me beat, but I stuck it out and now I'm doing quite well.

Are you really doing well at your alternate career? If so, get off the computer and enjoy it. If not, as others have stated, almost every carrier existing today is hiring excepting AMR and AAA, so get back in the game.

 

I miss my flying cohorts and my flying dream. Writing about my experiences and opinions here is fun for me. It is a hobby. I don't spend all day doing this. I am not obsessed but have spent more years flying than anything else and feel like writing about it the most. You guys only know me through this forum. I can assure you all that I am a happy and well adjusted person who has a full and wonderful life. (no thanks to aviation) This forum is a hobby of mine. An interesting distraction.

In addition I still think that there is a lot to lose as a pilot. I do not feel that the profession is accurately sold to the next generation and feel that I have a service to give.

I might get back into the game at some point but it will be after my kids are mostly grown and after I hopefully don't need the airline income anymore. I will pick a job solely on its attractiveness to me and my life.

SkyHig

 

[QUOTE=4th & Goal;168785]Wow Skyhigh, you seem really jealous. Get over it.


The Jr high school kid in me is a little jealous but the rational adult is not. There is a price to be paid and the costs are rising while the benefits are falling.

Everyone should stop periodically and take stock of their situation.

Skyhigh

 

I'm fine and thanks for asking. Just doing what I do best. Being oblivious and all of that other stuff. I see that you're still up to your old tricks. For a while there it was a bi-weekly event. You've once again accelerated the frequency of your "whoa is me" threads to a couple a week. Did something bad happen with the family or your job? I hope not. And I really need to ask this. Do you have something against Vietnam vets? That would be a very, very big disapointment to me. Being a crazy Nam vet and all.

 

FWIW...I just helped an ASA guy get ready for a Delta interview. He left Horizon after 2 years...regretfully....to start over at ASA because he recognized the 7-8 year upgrade at Horizon and wanted to try to get his PIC sooner. So he backed up, started over at ASA, and the rest is history. So--now here he is....early 30s...and started over at Delta.

Did he have some setbacks? You bet. Does he have clear sailing for the rest of his life by getting on at Delta? Who knows. But he worked his butt off for his goal and got there.

However--not an ounce of military time in his log books. Did work at Penn Air, some 135 stuff, and 2 regionals. Got turned down at another major on the way. But--here he goes--about to start at a major at what I consider to be a young age.

Is he a freak or exception to every rule? Maybe. But he's there. And he did it. And I have to believe if he did a lot of other guys can too.