Back when I flew in Alaska a job at Penair was akin to a death sentence. I guess things have improved since then.

Best of Luck,

SkyHigh

 

SkyHigh, you sound like one seriously disgruntled washed out wannabe in every post you make. Why is that? What was the incident that made you this way?

 

"Back when I flew in Alaska a job at Penair was akin to a death sentence"

My buddy who flew for Penair is an MD80 Capt at Alaska, now. No degree, even. You shoulda got a job there.

 

I know a capt. for FedEx and he said FedEx likes the PenAir guys too.

 

My father was telling me about when UAL would hire guys, back in the 60's, with zero hours and pay for all of their training. This was because of, you guessed it, a pilot shortage. I think we are going to see the biggest pilot shortage in aviation history in the next few years. Hell, in SoCal we actually have a CFI shortage! All of them are either booked up or took off for the regionals, some to the Air Force to fly C17's. For those who are in my shoes, send in your application to the regionals if you have 300 hours, a few multi-engine, a pulse and can see somewhat straight. THEY WILL HIRE YOU!! Especially (without name calling) the regional that sucks! I get phone calls everyday from my dad; "Just jumpseated with a guy who got hired at 300 hours and 30 multiengine. The captain got upgraded after 6 months. Send in your application when you get your M.E. rating!" The regionals have guys quitting all the time and they need the talent to fill the right seats, right now! The minimums will drop again, I guarantee it, because they dont have time to wait around until you build up 600 hours. They dont even care about the minimums anyway! They need guys right now! I think that we may see some of the airlines start paying for training from zero time until you are in the right seat of a 737. Ya'll just wait. Over the next six months, thousands upon thousands of guys will quit from the regionals and they will be hiring you over the phone. My dad is retiring 7 years early and starting a health spa with my mom because he says, "The job sucks!". I beg to differ...I love to fly. But because of this "The job sucks" mentality among many pilots, they will quit and seats will be empty. That's just the way it is.

 

There will always be people who have no desire to fly 121 and choose to go the 135 route. There are some that will find this type of flying more appealing. With the CFI shortage building quality should become much easier as the demand for instructors increase.

 

Yes it is. And I just got off the phone with my dad once again and he talked to yet another RJ pilot who put his application in the day he got his multi-engine rating at 270 hours. The RJ airline replied by phone 4 days later and asked him to come in for an interview. With only 15 hours of multiengine time, they hired him that day and put him in the next class. It's absolutely mind boggling to hear this! But the pilot shortage is not taken lightly. They will hire anyone at this point. If you flew Microsoft flight sim and have logged the learjet time, they will hire you.

 

You laugh. Why? Send in your application to that regional airline in based in phoenix (you know who I'm talking about) and see what happens. Do you honestly think they give a crap about the minimums when they are short of pilots and have 10 - 40 guys quitting every week? At 500 hours, they will hire you over the phone, pal! Send in your application to every regional airline you can think of and see what happens. I almost guarantee you an interview with at least a few.

 

Well, I laugh more or less because I don't meet the min quals... but I guess it's worth a shot... (clicks send button to that 'certain Phoenix' company)

I think I'm going to hold out for Comair, I live near CVG and all my family is here so I think it will be worth the wait.

 

If you really have 500/20 (total/me?), send the application to Comair right now! Where do you see these min quals posted? The airline website? THEY DONT CARE!! Don't just go for comair! Send your application in to everyone because comair may not hire you. Then what? Send it in to that phoenix company because more than likely you will have a choice of base or they will base you out east anyway. As soon as you complete the training with them, send your resume to Comair immediately! This will be attractive to them for two reasons. 1) You have RJ training and they know you are a sure thing to get through their class. 2) It also shows them that you know they (Comair) are a better company an want to work for them. Pay no attention to the min quals. It means dirt! Don't defeat yourself and say "I don't meet the min quals." You know how to fly, that's all they need right now.