SD3Dog

Hey Legacy guys can you give me some advise. You all are best suited to give me advise because you represent the top of the hill of the industry.

Here is my senario. I called my old freight company that I used to fly as a F.O. My old CP is gone and one of the cool CAs took his place. I needed a copy of my 135 SIC check and he sent it but then offered me a job flying as a CA getting TPIC in the Shorts 360 and around 42K a year with perdeim. I have had several offers from regionals for interviews and am trying to decide wich to go with. ASA, Pncl and AE. The freight deal would mean getting typed at a cost of 12K (on them) and a 2 year contract to protect their investment. They are contracted to Fedex so thats what I would be hauling. It would be scheduled so I would have weekends off but it would be a long duty day at around 12 hrs with 2.7 hrs flight a day. (Ie. fly out and wait then fly back.) That schedule could change for the better because they have another contract going to the same place that is in and out which would give me about a 5 hr duty day with about 2.7 flt hrs a day. If that other CA moves on. After this gig I was thinking of going to either charter or a 121 company that would hire street CA's to get my jet time to be able to move up. Does this sound like a good move?

I can see advantages to each but wanted to hear from you guys. Would the legacy folks see my Shorts 360 part 135 time as not as valuable as some SIC 121?


Thanks

RobLAX

Turbine PIC is more valuable then anything else!

Slice

By my calculations you'd have 1400-1500 TPIC by the time your contract is up two years from now. Even if you upgraded at one year at a regional, you'd probably only have ~500-700 TPIC by the time you went through the upgrade training. It's very possible to go straight to a major from the Shorts. I think I'd go for the TPIC and then look to move on in 2 years. If it takes you 2 years to upgrade at a regional, then you won't hit 1500 TPIC until 4 years from now...

Skyone

What you didn't mention is what turbine time do you have now? Do you have any PIC time now? Answer that and start from there. If you have no TPIC, I would go for the 135 TPIC. You would also be making more money. Your age also plays into it a bit. Imagine where you will be two years hence in either case and what do you think is more competitive.

Roll Inverted and Pull

A few other things that you didn`t mention...what is your ultimate goal? Are you trying for a major? Is a good job with a commuter your goal? Do you have a 4 year college degree?

IronWalt

If you want to get to a major, then take the Shorts Cargo job. Don't even think of Regional FO job. You have paid your dues and deserve to build that TPIC time.

showboats

I also flew the Shorts for about 3 years building valuable turbine PIC time. Very similar schedule to what you are looking at (about 12 hour day only blocking about 3 hours of fight time). The pay was less back then (late 90's) but the experience was invaluable. You are logging PIC time according to the way the majors want to see it logged, and gaining valuable experience in a crew a/c that weighs over 20K. That fills a lot of boxes on an application at the majors. I didn't go directly to the majors from the Shorts but it certainly was my plan and would have happened if 9-11 would not have occurred. That set me back about 6 years on my way to the majors. Could have been shorter but I am currently at a fractional and enjoying a nice paycheck. However, I now have an offer with a major airline and I am just waiting for a class date. Enough about me.

Bottom line...take the job that will get you in the left seat, signing for the aircraft.

Flying night freight isn't the most pleasant experience in the world but you already know that. The Shorts is good time builder and safe airplane as well.

BTW...is the Shorts operator ACC by chance or some other company?

SD3Dog

No TPIC now just 375 SIC 135 with same company.

SD3Dog

I have a BS in aerospace. I really don't know my ultimate goal. If I had the money I would want to start my own charter/freight company. I do want to keep my options open though. I think Legacy would be a great job too. I guess those would be my goals in order of desire.

SD3Dog

I want to keep that under my hat for the moment. I don't want any competition. Thanks for the reply.