vbguy01

After getting out of the mil, I've been waiting for a call for almost 6 months. My recency is dropping to 70hrs in the last year, has anyone done part 135 flying instead of going to a regional to gain experience before transitioning to the legacies? The pay seems much better especially since I can roll into a Capt position in a small carrier but I know nothing of 135 ops or if there is a signing commitment that would preclude moving to the bigs. Thoughts?

PerfInit

The regionals have much better QOL, work rules and many have flow to the majors, I know of a few that have been picked up by the majors with only 91/135 background but it is a lower percentage considering how many current & qualified regional pilots there are. The regionals are desperate right now, kinda wondering perhaps if you are missing something in your quals that they require? Also, how many regionals have you applied to?

vbguy01

I think my qualifications are fine just nervous about recency.

3600TT, 2000 PIC
Heavy IP/EP
Masters 3.8 GPA
Community service

Do the regionals have commitments if you sign on with them or can you leave as soon as you get a CJO from a legacy? Haven't applied to any regionals yet. I'm hoping for a call in Jan but may have no choice if nothing heard.

tunes

with those times the odds you are going to get a call with only 70 hours in the last year are not in your favor. Delta values 121 time over 135. I went to a regional, got 100 hours, and got a call. You do make more in 135, but that schedule blows.

rickair7777

Some regionals have a training contract, most do not. This is probably your best path forward. You can find out all you need to know about the various regionals on the internet.

135 on the other hand is a crap shoot, unless you have a good buddy who works there and will give you the straight scoop. Much more likely to experience a toxic, arbitrary work environment or get violated. There are a few great 91/135 gigs but they are highly competitive and generally go to corporate aviation insiders. The dregs are left for folks like you. Do careful research before you go this route.

Tester130

With your time, I would put in for a regional and should get picked up pretty quick. The ones I've interviewed with don't have contracts, but you would have to pay back any signing bonuses if you leave within the specified time frame.

You didn't put it in your post, but I assume you have your ATP. If not, then no major will touch you without it. All the regionals will pay for you to get it.

hindsight2020

But if you cannot afford the paycut then none of this matters. This idea the majors are gonna scoop you up before the regional FO pay becomes a factor in your household's solvency, assumes facts not in evidence. I've known guys quit the regionals after 10-12 months citing economic duress with no mainline phone call in sight. That's not the kind of employment record you want to have to explain to a major 121 employer, just for the sake of subsidizing an ATP ticket and 100 hours of recency within 12.

Consider Guard/Reserves. You could get token employment with a regional for the 121 box-checking, then mil drop the snot out of it. 121 SIC beyond IOE is ballwash for you. What benefits you out of that deal is the ability to show a recent successful 121 training event. Beyond that, much better QOL can be attained in the Reserves. Good luck.

Otterbox

If money is an issue then you could look at an ISR gig. It may take a little longer but you'll be financially comfortable in it.

E2CMaster

It's not that bad of a lifestyle. 60/60 on site, which really works out to about 65/55 away/home, which is hard to beat for 100k+ a year. (More like 150+ at the reputable places).

Sliceback

Consider Guard/Reserves. You could get token employment with a regional for the 121 box-checking, then mil drop the snot out of it.
----------------------

How long you've been at the regional? "A year."
But you only have 200 hrs....

Life's a balance. I'd bust a nut at the regional and get enough military pay to pay the bills. If you're not commuting to either you can double dip without dropping any regional trips.