Fighting against the Regionals
 

Hey everyone I am new to this forum... anyway listen to this I am a CFII about 700 tt 125 multi resisting the regionals. I am currently employed at a university teaching and its been nice, but I'm ready to move on. Right now it seems the only place i'd qualify for is the regionals, a lot of the people i graduated with are flying the regionals building that jet time. I have never wanted to fly for the regionals , its just not what i want to do... should i suck it up and apply and do it to build some time for the dream charter/corporate job that i want.

any advice on places hiring low time right seaters in king airs or Cessna 400 series? or pretty shiny jets?
and advice at all??

I was in your exact situation at one point. I had no interest in the regionals or the airlines and really wanted to aim for part 91 or 135. When the time came to move on the only place really to go were the regionals or piston freight. I figured I would just fly part 121 until my dream part 91 job came along...that never happened.

Ive grown used to the airlines and for me it is all in what you make of it. I will not leave my current airline until I have no choice. I would advise that you keep networking (never stop networking) and take a job moving up. Something multi and preferably turbine. As soon as you hit 1500 hours get your ATP and you will become more marketable at jobs outside of the airlines. You may find that the upward step you are looking for is only one choice..the regionals. Find a place you can tolerate to hang your hat for a bit and keep your eye open for your flying dream job.

I've been hanging tight myself waiting to hit my 1500 instructed a year full time landed a pretty good 91 gig in a nice 182 with a little instruction on the side and making some great connection. I'm just shy my 1500 by 300hrs ive got everything else. You know you could try banner towing they are hiring on the east coast. Good luck.

I was in a similar situation when I was flight instructing and ready to move on. I ended up loving the 121 lifestyle, and I am very lucky that I had the chance to find out.

My best advice, leave the university and find an instructing job in a major city. You won't find much at the university since people with money usually head to their local flight school. You'll easily be able to make connections and even work charter with someone local on the field. Jobs won't come to you, you've got to put yourself out there and make yourself known.

As for 121, I have not seen a lot of people move from a regional to corporate. Not saying it can't be done, just not as common as other ways.

I did kinda the same thing. Did some instructing, then 135 charter, then went to the airlines just to grind some time. Racked it up, then bailed for a good corporate gig.

For now, I'd recommend doing your best to keep racking up time. If you're not going to meet 135 mins (remember, not just full times, all the individual things like cross country, night, etc), make sure to shoot for that. DON'T screw your students just to pull it off though.

If you can find a flight school associated with a 135 department, that's a great way to ease into that side of things. That's how I did it. If you're willing to move, I can recommend a great place, just PM me.

Yeah there isn't any charter opportunities at my university... Im ready/willing to move as soon as my contract is up... Part 141 training is so slow paced... Since jan 2012 I've only gotten about 70 hours, just so much ground required! That's what's killing me and really pushing me out of the door , ive been interning with a small airline and flying FO building sic multi( I'm soooo lucky to have this) ! I want to do that everyday! Too bad their fo's only make 9 dollars an hour since they aren't required!

Ps thanks everyone for the advice and ^^^ directto I'm new and don't kne how to pm on her !!

Be careful with that SIC multi - make sure it's really loggable. Companies fly with SICs a lot when they're not required, and it can come back to bite you if you aren't careful about it.

Sorry skyqueen I didn't realize your post count was so low, you'll be able to PM once you gain some more.

Thank you directto ! Yeah this sic is very loggable it's a legit company and I've had a checkride under part 135.293 I believe it is... Im not worried about that! I still would like your recommendation though I am not an experience forum er!

Try looking at some of the specialty pilot jobs that fly smaller equipment. I loathed the idea of going to the airlines, and landed a job with similar times flying pipeline. I make twice what regionals are paying, am home every night, cc for all expenses, and a great work environment.

Downside is that I do not get to fly bigger equipment, but to each his own.