JR,

You could also look at some of the ACMI carriers such as Kellita or Cargo 360 I don't know what your resume' looks like but I know that you would be also gaining the experience for international flying and heavy time. Big +++ with the majors. Question is, what is a major anymore? UPS and FedEx are top dog now vs AMR, UAL ect...

It depends,,is the GA pilot a hot female? Is the person doing the hiring a captain who is ****ed off at his wife and company and just wants to fly with a pretty face and maybe have an affair?

You have to wonder?

Back in '92, I asked Judy Tarver, the head of American Airlines pilot hiring at a NIFA competition, about background and why they tended to hire mostly military pilots. Her answer "American flies jets not props and the military guys have that experience." Her point is that while building time as an instructor is valuable, nothing will prepare you for real world turbine operation like real world turbine operation. Go for a regional. Since all of them are in a hiring crisis right now, go somewhere you want to live. I'm a midwest boy myself and flew with a large regional east of the mississippi. If I had to do it all over again, I think I'd try Horizon. I've flown on them in the back a few times and they are totally top notch. Free beer, Wall Street Journals, well maintained airplanes and they go to some great places you will never see again as a major pilot.

This sounds like the response of someone who is clearly finishing a red eye and sleep deprived.:eek:

JRobinson. There are other ways besides the regionals. If you want to do that sort of work, then that's fine. There are other routes which include flying freight and corporate flying. It's not so much where you work, it's about the kind of experience you have. Turbine aircraft, pilot in command time, is what you need to get.

Working for a while as a CFI is a great way to build some good experience as a pilot. But you should see that as a way to move up a rung on the big career ladder in the sky.

I don't doubt your posting, but I sat next to Judy Tarver at lunch (Higher Power Aviation) a few years back after my furlough from TWA/American and we chatted about American's hiring practices during her tenure and it had to do more with the applicant's personality than their flying experience, at least that's what I believe I heard.

One of the great things about this message board is that it's an invaluable resource of information. It's value is lessened when we see someone get on here with a legitimate question and get slammed for not knowing any better...if he knew the answer he wouldn't have asked the question. I always thought we had a "cooperate-graduate" attitude here and that "no question is a silly question" attitude.

I am always humbled when someone asks me a question about what they should do with regards to their flight training and career path.

JRobinson, I have worked at a variety of airlines whereas someone with "just a CFI background" was hired at yes, a major airline. So, yes, anything is possible although it's a long shot. The regional route is one of the more solid ways to get to your dream job.

If I may add my two cents, network with people in the industry...in reality this may help your resume moreso than you think. Place yourself in a recruiter's shoes at the your target airlines, do they like military pilots, regional pilots, or like UPS, do they hire from every facet of aviation. Finally, become familiar with your target airlines, know a little about their background, try to network with some of their employees and tailor your efforts towards achieving more than their minimum qualifications.


Best of Luck,

FF

dont look for a good regional....look for one with a FAST upgrade....if you have a good contract you will only lose flying to companies who do it cheaper.. get the time and move on, if you care what a 25 yo RJ CA tells you in relation to 'managing' your career you will lose....get it and go! There is not one regional that will ruin your career....its proven

:-)

The sad thing is - you'll have to take a pay cut to go fly an RJ. Unfortunately, you’ll never ever be able to go from instructing in a Seneca to flying a Boeing for a major. I hate to say never, but unless your dad owns United…it isn’t going to happen.

Two quick things to add. All points so far have been valid, but here's another view:

121 experience is important. It's a different world, and time in the seat is the only way to get it. Regional is the way to get that.

This in mind.... I found the best way to do the regional thing was to go in with a good background in IFR ops, built through Part 135 flying and being a 135 instructor pilot. I was able to then go into a regional as a direct entry captain for the turbine time. Got my PIC time in a 121 crew environment, and then... well, then I went to Alaska and now fly Beavers on floats 'cuz it's serious fun. But when I want to go to an airline, I now have the boxes all checked.

I've never been a copilot. It just sorta worked out that way. Going from part 91 into 135 allowed me to build all the skills as PIC in singles, twins and IFR stuff. But this doesn't teach how to play well with others in a crew environment. It was important to get that experience, and the only way I could get that was through a 121 regional. It just worked really well for me. Maybe consider looking for a hardworking 135 that will put you in a twin, flying challenging IFR. It's some of the hardest, challenging and IMHO, best experience a pilot can find. Then take your 2,000 hrs PIC to a regional hiring direct entry captains, and pick up that PIC turbine type rating! Another 1,000 of 121 PIC, and you can do whatever turns you on. Maybe after you get a look at the regional and 121 world, you'll go to Alaska, too!

Good luck! Hope you find your path.

Ronin

you should have a college degree also.