Don't mean to hijack the thread but what do you guys think about career prop guys (Hercs) who get their 121 time flying another T-prop on the regionals? Considering doing that to avoid commuting.

The bigs used to hire commuter turbo-prop pilots routinely, but they have gotten away from that to a degree, primarily because there are so many jet pilots out there today, and people with glass jet experience are a statistically lower training risk. Some majors still hire prop pilots freely (SWA for sure). I mention all this because if a civilian pilot tells you this, he'll be correct... for his case.

But in your case the military background should supersede all of that, and military prop pilots have no issues getting hired. It's true that checking the box for a jet type rating might make your app float to the top a little faster, it's one more box towards your cumulative score, but probably not worth commuting for it.

Agree with what Rick said.

But to add, you’ll now have to be competive within your peer group/demographic.

Doesn’t matter that you flew “props” vs jet in the military. But do you have AC time, IP/EP time, and a bunch of other boxes checked that add more app points that other mil pilots might not have?

And to piggy back on Rick’s point, sure, we ALL know some guard/reserve “baby” that never had AC time, did a stint at the regionals and never upgraded and is now at (insert legacy here). That’s good, for HIS CASE. And there’s usually A LOT more to how they got there.

Thanks, Grumble. Advice in this forum is making my decision a lot easier. I intend to take the training seriously. And I appreciate the remark about being sensitive to relative pay.

Know lots of guys flying for the majors that never flew anything faster than a Herc prior.

L4LLC, check PM.


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A lot of awesome info here. In my case I'll def look more into those 121 prop carriers...

I’ve been wondering the same thing. If I have to spend some time at a regional I am trying to decide between commuting to fly jets or flying Silver Airways out of the same airport that I would be commuting out of. FWIW I did get a 73 type with my ATP.


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