BrownDoubles

From what I have seen the Marine Corps does WAY more simulator training than USAF. The difference is not on initial training but after; it was common (at least in my time) to hit the sim a few times a month to maintain proficiency in events. On the blue side guys hit the sim once a year, anything else is an exception -- at least in the Mighty, Mighty Battle Herc.

FlyingHercs

I’m not advocating putting sim hours in your flight time. There are separate blocks to include flight time, (although not broken down by model). I wouldn’t want to explain to HR why I put sim time in flight hours either!

Completely agree it’s likely the whole package that gets the call. First step is getting past the computer algorithm though...



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Hacker15e

Personally, I think the experience gained during a short time flying at the regionals is golden, despite the financial hit, but YMMV.

BrownDoubles

True, and it's way more than just flying airplanes and the 121 world. First hand appreciation for the grind, bidding, seniority, commuting, schedules, contracts, unions...

BeatNavy

The reality is some egos can’t handle going to a regional and effectively starting in class as peers with 1500 hour CFIs after flying as an AC of a jet in the military, even if that’s the fastest/easiest path to a career airline. I will say from my limited experience the major initial trainings are structured for guys already familiar with 121 ops, the regionals are structured to help all walks of life get used to 121 ops. The mil guys in my regional class had an easy transition and then an easy transition at their major initial. Some of the dudes at my current airline and from a legacy airline at my crashpad who were straight from being current in the mil struggled with the transition. Some didn’t. Not that it matters that much, as statistically not that many mil guys wash out from major initials, but as Hacker says there is a lot of utility in going to a regional for some situations. At the end of the day the #1 concern should be getting a seniority number at your career airline as soon as possible. Short term costs, pay cuts, and ego hits shouldn’t be a factor, as they will be more than recouped with an earlier start date at a major over a 121 career.

Wheelsoff

Couldn’t be further from the truth, actually. USAF utilizes the sims a ton, even after initial qual as well. When I flew heavies we had quarterly EP sims (2 separate sim sessions to cover it all!), in addition to proficiency sims that were done at least once, if not twice per month depending on crew qual. We even did some “virtual flag” exercises that were done entirely in sims linked up with other units/airframes from across the country.

BrownDoubles

Not what I witnessed from LRAFB; but that's similar to my experience in the Corps. Makes sense as technology advances and allows for more flexibility and training. Glad to hear that Blue maximizes the training in simulators as well.

PictureOfABear

Nobody should be above going to regionals, but if you could get on at a major immediately, why would you not do that though?

rickair7777

Almost no reason. Unless maybe you've been out of the cockpit for a while and not feeling comfortable with jumping back in cold turkey, especially if you flew something non-mobility.

Regional training departments are very accommodating of folks new to 121 and glass jets, especially these days. Any ex-mil (*** with a decent attitude ***) will graduate.

A few months on line at a regional will pretty much remove risk of failure at a major, and also enhance your odds of getting called by your top choice(s).

If you can get a call from your top choice, you should probably just do that and be prepared to suck it up in a training program which may not as forgiving.

Lumberg823

The magic number seems to be 1000 fixed wing PIC. The question will be with the conversion or without. Each airline seems to do it different. I was the low time guy in my new hire class with 2800TT (no conversion) with a mixture of heavy jet, prop and some helo time. As others have said times are changing and some of the latest classes have had pilots with really low hours and no turbine time (they had other factors i.e. previous interns). Put out your apps and go SELRES ASAP and get some more total time while you wait for the call. The trend is in your favor getting a call real soon. Good luck!