Please check out my qualifications...
 

Hello,

After spending the last 7 years in the corporate world I am excited to make a change and I plan on applying to Southwest and US Airways. However, I am wondering where my times fall into place with everyone else that is in the hiring pool so I was wondering if anyone can take a look and fill me in. I am not only concerned with SWA or US Airways, but in general . Keep in mind that I don’t have any 121 experience, but I have been in and out of 135 for about 5 years.

Currently a 135 captain on a mid-sized corporate jet
Total time – 3400
Turbine – 2800
Jet - 1640
Turboprop – 1110
Multi – 2815
PIC - 1650

I appreciate any feedback I can get and I look forward to learning a bunch from this forum, thanks!

Drew

Been doing some research and I want to give a little more specifics that seem to be helpful... I have 1,500+ turbine pic, have flown about 350hrs in the last 12 months, and have a 4 year degree. And unfortunately, I do not really know anyone who can walk in a resume, all my friends are flying in the corporate world... thanks

You have about the same experience as many of the people who have had their resumes in for 6 or more months. Without any 121 experience you will need a few internal recs, and someone to walk in your resume. Good luck.

How about places like Jet Blue would they hire a Part 135 corporate pilot with those times, It may be a good way to get your foot into the 121 world. I am in the same position with a bit less flight time but would love to get on with SWA in the future but I cannot afford to work for the regionals.

Your times are typical of a junior regional captain...most majors have a large stack of those resumes. You will definately want to persue an inside hook-up. I'm always networking when I jumpseat...do you get repositioned commercially? If so try to get a moment to chat up the crew if circumstances permit.

You could get hired anywhere you meet the mins (which is pretty much everywhere) but you will need an internal recommendation. Otherwsie there's nothing to seperate you from all those RJ pilots, who at least have 121 experience. JetBlue is not doing so great right now, not sure what their hiring situation is.

Rickair is right about networking on every flight you get on. I know a handful of people who went from new SAAB capts to the right seat at a major and were under qualified compared to many of the people in their interview and new hire classes. If the crew does not seem busy ask the latest company news, you might add you are pursuing a change to 121 in the near future and someone might ask if you have a resume handy.... at that point you have nothing to lose!

Your total time is on the low side for a civilian only applicant for many places. The rest of the info above is spot on. Even high time guys need to network these days.

Hey thanks everyone for your input... This biggest challenge for me is that I just dont have any connections with any majors, my friends from college and the industry are either buried deep in regionals or corporate flyers.
Here is my thought- I am lucky to have a pretty good gig in socal, I fly a lot but I dont ever overnight, not on-call aka not attached to a leash and a pager, pretty laid back atmosphere and flying good equipment. I could stay here for 1-3 years till something opens up at southwest without too much heartache. Thats the only reason I dont want to go to the first major that would hire me. USAirways is intriguing because I "hear" that there is a small chance they will send you to PHX on the bus right out of the gate, but who knows how true that is... I guess I just need to hang around the terminals and make some new friends!!

You can always apply in and see what happens. It is unlikely they will call you anytime soon, but if hiring picks up in the next 6 months and you already meet the mins, your stuff is already in there. They cant schedule an interview unless you apply. And by the time 2 years is up you may have decided a different route anyway.

Excel:
Just out of curiosity...what's you motivation? It sound like you have a job that most pilots would want.

So why would you consider a Saab captain under qualified?

I said under qualified COMPARED to the other people in their new hire classes and interview classes. The 3 SAAB captains that I know of ALL had less than 1000 hours of TPIC, and all except one had less than 3000 hours total time. As well as the lowest total time in their new hire classes. They also were the only ones in class with ZERO jet time.

Yeah, Excel, why would you want to give up a gig that:

- puts you at home every night
- doesn't have you on a leash
- flies good equipment

and go to an airline where you will probably commute to reserve, which is to say always on crew scheduling's leash, and be away from home at least 15 days/month? All the while being subject to a furlough while being junior.

Sounds to me like you have that envious job that most pilots would love to have.

Just curious?
73

I was thinking the same thing?

WHY LEAVE?

the grass is always greener???

Hey Excel,

Welcome to the APF! I have over 5000+, 2500+ turbine PIC and just got a major offer. Internal rec I thought helped. Had internals at JetBlue but it's a different show there these days according to my "buddy" who said the internal would really only "assist" anymore, never guarantee a call - Also, heard that JB likes to see those that update their profile often (I've heard "weekly" as a magic word?) FWIW

Good luck - keep trucking...

FWIW - Why someone would want to leave that tyoe of gig, in my case, no set schedule and being on call 351/24/7 is never a fun gig (Having a day off but not knowing until 6pm of the same day is not a day off) I'll take a schedule anyday - even reserve (for a little while anyway ;)) At least I can plan the kids B-day party and know I'll be there!

Not sure why this guy wants to leave but Im leaving a similar job because
Corp.Flying SUCKS!!!!!!!

Is it really that bad?

I was always kind of envious of you guys and the stuff you do... cool new jets, no TSA, small private airstrips/terminals, going to small airports no one ever heard about... now that seems like some fun flying. I guess if you have a crappy corp. job, it would suck.... but a good gig always seemed like a great deal.

73
admiring from the other side of the airport ;)

Look at skybus, great scheds, low pay, would hire you with your time if you fit the profile.

You are very correct aa - some corp. gigs can be very fun. My gig is actually pretty cool and my company is/has been good to me but my personal QOL issue that is now most prominent is "knowing" when I'm working, not how much or how little I work (thus the need for a schedule and to "lose the pager 24/7" as it were.)
And while I agree (as I have been there on both instances), new airports and new aircraft ARE very fun (been to the arctic circle and beyond!); Keep this in mind, while no TSA and terminals may sound great you trade that with often times with having to organize your (and the clients) ground tarnsportation, catering, all flight planning, sitting around ALL day and sometimes dealing with maintenance oversight. So, there is a lot to be said for putting the parking brake on and it being "someone" else's problem (meaning I don't have to make the phone calls!)

Bottom line is both sides of the airport can either be very sweet or very sour depending on who you work for!?...

Moving to your side of the airport!?... ;)

Thanks for the info. I guess there are always caveats!

73

Always caveats :( Feels sometimes like the whole industry is one big caveat!?...:o

I want to first say thanks to everyone who has responded to my post, like I said earlier, I dont have too many connections in the 121 world so you guys have been a great asset. I want to explain to everyone, in my personal view, why I would leave such an "ideal job"...

I was a CFII with 400 hrs when I got my first charter job, I flew kingair 200's around for 4 years first as a FO, then as a captain. I then went to work for a company that had a brand new Citation Excel. I was hired first as an FO, then as a co-captain. It was a great gig, payed well past 100G's, full pt 91, non-oncall schedule. This job "on paper" was perfect. Then one day, out of nowhere, they informed me and the other pilot that they were selling the plane and leaving corporate aviation. This was the most stable, and one of the most desirable pt91 jobs available in the country and then it ended just like that. Although I did receive a large severance, it was still no consolation, considering that I thought this was a family that would always own a plane aka a job always available to me. Less that 7 days later, I got an offer from my current employer to be a captain right out of the gates, typed in a Citation 7, with a great work environment in my home-town in socal. Although I am young (late 20's) I have learned that no matter how stable and wonderful you think your job is, it could disapear in a heartbeat.
I am looking for stability and longevity, and I have wanted to fly 121 since I could remember, it just so happened that my career path took me into charter/corporate. I figure this is a good time for me to make the leap. I like my job but who knows whats going to happen in the next 12 months. If I could get an interview with southwest or another stable carrier I would jump on it. I guess the bottom line is, no matter how perfect a job you think you might have, it could end in a heartbeat. Trust me, I was flying 100K+ out of San Diego mabye 250 hours a year on a full schedule. Anyways, I have decided to chase after what has driven me all along. So I am young, and in a position where I could move and sacrifice, and so now is the time for me to make the leap.

Well come on in, the water's luke warm!;)

I've pondered corporate extensively, and am still pondering. I have a lot of friends doing it, but they seem to switch jobs (and cities) frequently. Some of them are on-call 24/7 and have to plead with their company for permission to have a beer on a Saturday night...one girl effectively became our designated driver for three years :eek:

I've kind of gotten the impression that the corporate jobs which offer great pay, bennies, schedule, AND stability make up maybe 5% of the industry.

The last line about hits the nail on the head! I've been doing corporate for almost 10 years and I'm lucky - most corporate clients are a 5 year deal and keep in mind the old saying - When the money goes away, the luxuries go away in alphabetical order - airplanes, boats, cars, etc. We lost two of three clients after 9/11! :( You roll the bones on either side of the fence I guess!?...

Well like I said earlier, for 4 years I had a job that had the envy of every professional pilot I have ever met. Never in a million years did I think that today I would be a line captain for a 135 and putting out resumes to majors.
As you progress in your career, your priorities change. For me, first it was accumulating as much turbine time as possible. Then it became having a salary and some quality of life. Now, I just want some stability. Not sure if 121 can provide that, but it cant be any worse than corporate aviation.

Life's too short to do something that doesn't make you happy for 20+ years - That's how you end up having heart failure at 46! And, you're absolutely right too, it is all about priorities. I'll probably work more in the airlines BUT, at least I will know definitiviely when I work (or sit reserve) so to my family, that's much more important! Go with your gut and good luck! Also, keep this in mind - if you wake up and "get to go to work" you're doin' good, if you feel like you "have to go to work" you're not!
I just happy I'm not wearing the "Uncle Sam" costume hustling people to the nearest H&R Block! That dude "Has to go to work!" :mad:

Yea Im sure Im staying put for a long time but its always nice to see what the options are down the road if things dont work out or if it feels like the right time... Thanks all