SQUAWK3274

Myself and a few other CPs at my unit are in a similar situation and have been weighing these options. We hhave gone back and forth as to the best plan of action to put us in the running for the Majors.

My current situation:

I instructed before joining a Reserve -130 unit and currently have tad over 2000TT. Only 300 or so is in the Herk, and the remainder is mostly single engine instructing time, some light dual, and a couple hundred from UPT (T-1 pipeline).

I was lucky enough to stay on constant orders through all of training/prog tour/and now a deployment. When we return this summer, it will be time to come off the teat...and either begin the bum life or get a "real" job.

As much as I do not want the regional lifestyle, I feel it would be the fastest way to accrue hours before the Majors really pick up hiring. An added benefit will be having the 121 experience on the resume. I am currently looking at XJT, since they seem to be one of the only options to be based near home (ATL). (I have also looked into some fractional gigs flying the be-400, but most seem to have very high TT requirements)

Bumming would be by far the easier life, but with hours building at a rate of 300-400 a year (if I'm lucky after these budget cuts), it could be quite a while before I would be competitive. On the other hand, committing all of my time to the unit would likely land me in the left seat sooner to begin building the all mighty multi turbine PIC time.

Given the current outlook with future airline hiring, what do you think would be the smartest career move? What would you do if you were in my shoes? I see benefits and negatives to both sides - figured I would get some of you guys' opinion on the subject.

Thanks in advance for you insight!

Klondike Bear

Bumming would be by far the easier life, but with hours building at a rate of 300-400 a year (if I'm lucky after these budget cuts), it could be quite a while before I would be competitive. On the other hand, committing all of my time to the unit would likely land me in the left seat sooner to begin building the all mighty multi turbine PIC time.

I am guessing Dobbins? You have many Delta guys there to help you get on. They do not care if you have 121 experience but do care about Multi PIC. You will get that much quicker at your unit. Much better lifestyle bumming. The best years of my life were bumming in the Herk. Good luck with whatever you decide.

BackintheLPA

There is no definitive answer, because it can carry both pros and cons. I'm an AC in the Guard and a 6 yr regional FO. Overall, I'm glad I did it.

Pros:
- you will become a better pilot because of the amount of experience you will get operating in the 121 environment.

- the job is very compatable with flying in the reserves.

- your seniority and longevity is protected while on mil leave.

- with a draw down in military spending, it is nice to have the ability to go back to the airline to get a paycheck. The opportunity to bum is not there at my unit for the short term future.

- free ATP

Cons:

- the lack of pay and QOL for the first couple of years.

- You might be in the right seat for 5-7 yrs.
the so called pilot shortage will manifest as a " regional FO" shortage for the next 3-5 yrs. Hiring for the Good jobs will always be competitive. In order for you to get that quick upgrade, you either need attrition or growth. Regional growth has reached maturation. Regional 50 seaters will be replaced by " large RJs" allowing airlines to fly more seats with fewer aircraft. At most of the regionals, there are a significant number of " lifers" that will never leave or can't leave. If those guys don't leave or the airline doesn't grow, you will be in the right seat for a good while.

- the desire to get turbine PIC
More than likely, you will upgrade to AC before you upgrade to CA at a regional. I've spent 4 of 6 yrs on mil leave deploying trying to get PIC so I will be ready when the hiring starts. I'm concerned how it is going to look when I go to an interview and they start to take a closer look. Don't think for a minute that the HR folks aren't sensitive about it.

- higher potential for check ride bust, FAA violations and company discipline. Flying in the Reserves only, protects you from this. Ive seen CAs at my airline receive company discipline for refusing to fly an aircraft they thought was unairworthy, even though MX signed it off.


Some other considerations....
- I would not commute long term to a regional job, initially you may have to because you are junior.
- try to get your reserve job and your airline in the same city to improve your QOL

hindsight2020

Bum, no doubt about it.

SQUAWK3274

All good points. I will re-phrase the question(s).

Taking out QOL/pay etc and just looking at it strictly by the flight numbers...in 2-3 years, what would the hiring folks at I don't know, say Delta, rather see on an application? Granted there is A LOT of assumption and speculation in this...bare with me...

Option 1) Stay bumming with the Reserves, accumulate 3-400 hr/yr w/ upgrade to AC occurring around 800-1000 hrs in the Herk. 2 years from now I would be looking at roughly 2600-2800TT; 200-400 TPIC

Option 2) Go to a regional, fly when able w/ the Reserves, and avg 700-900/yr w/ the airline. Again, looking 2 years out, I would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 3400-3800TT; likely 0 TPIC

Option 3) Something far more amazing than the first two that no one has ever thought of and is the answer to all of my problems!

Sorry - back on point..Which, in your eyes, would be the stronger resume? Furthermore, do you see either time being competitive in the near future?

If they are roughly equal, then it is a no brainier - press with the bumming and enjoy making my own schedule. If it is the higher TT of the regional, then I'll have some decisions to make (and a looong talk w/ the wife) w/ regards to all of the aforementioned issues of QOL, pay, etc.

I realize no one has a crystal ball and my plans can, and likely will, turn out much different than I expect. Just gauging opinions..

duece12345

Well, I am an AC herk bum. I have 1200tpic and roughly 2400TT, mostly herk and UPT. I was just told buy a legacy chief pilot that since I have no jet or FMS time, I should go to the regionals for a year or two to get that and my TT up. Hey said then they would "pick me up". I wish I would have got on with a regional years ago. Apparently you need more that TP time now days. Go get a rj job and mil leave the hell out of it until the bumming slows down, then go back. My .02. I wish I would have gone that route.

DoubleD

As a USAF retired guy who did the regionals for a couple years then got a great job I say do both.
Most airlines have a computer scoring system and the points rack up in different ways than you might think.
By going to the regionals you get recent training. Some computer scorings want to see training (new aircraft or upgrade) within the last ?? years.

You get some hours (about 700-900 a year)

You risk a checkride bust. It does happen. Some regionals are better than others in training.

Bum. Try to get Evaluator, Instructor, Safety school. These are point getters on the computer scoring.

Network. The people you bum with are you foot in the door at where you want to go.

My 2 cents.

Good luck. Keep bumming. Networking is the intangible that opens the doors.

It will be tough but worth it.

Hercdaddy22

I'm in the same boat. I'm currently finishing up my seasoning at my reserve squadron and starting a regional job this summer. In my opinion I think it's better to do both. I'm only getting 20-25 hours per month in the Herc. An airline job will be great experience to add to a resume showing you can do both military and 121. Building turbine time and flight benefits are a big plus for me. Any questions feel free to PM. Good luck.

Herc

HoursHore

If you're single I say do both. You can still pretty much bum while doing a regional trip every once in a while, you get some 121 stink which does help. You'll still get to upgrade at unit if you elect to deploy often and get the hours, and you are protected from the inevitable "We have no money " swoons and have the ability to say no to the unit and avoid running the cfc campaign or stocking the snack bar.

SQUAWK3274

This is what I was afraid of. Many of the old heads at the squadron have scoffed at the idea of us needing to go to the regionals to be competitive. Of course when they all went through, any mil flying (TP or not) directly to Majors, was the norm. Although the mil time is still extremely valuable, I feel there is an industry priority shift towards the importance of advanced jet, FMS, glass time that wasn't there in the "olden" days.