Time frame of becoming a captain?
06-19-2007 | 05:46 PM
#1
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Joined: Jun 2007
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Time frame of becoming a captain?
Once hired by a regional, what is a realistic timeframe from the time you are hired as a FO to when you upgrade to captain? Also, how long do most pilots fly for a regional before they are hired by a major, given that that was their plan all along, Regional>major. ? thanks for the info
06-19-2007 | 05:54 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 150
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From: G III
Did regionals for 13 years. Good degree and never a scratch, but still waiting for the big boys to call. Upgrade results may vary, depending on airline and state of the industry. If I were to guess, I'd say we are on an upswing for hiring, meaning more movement. However, world events could very easily bring that to a halt. Plan for the worst, and get a side gig outside of the biz.
06-19-2007 | 05:56 PM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 595
Likes: 0
From: A320 CA
Once hired by a regional, what is a realistic timeframe from the time you are hired as a FO to when you upgrade to captain? Also, how long do most pilots fly for a regional before they are hired by a major, given that that was their plan all along, Regional>major. ? thanks for the info
06-19-2007 | 05:57 PM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 582
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From: B6 CA
This is an age old question that many people here wonder themselves. If this is an industry you want to get into, you will find out that it is very unpredictable. Point being, upgrade times to CA vary from airline to airline and can change at any minute. I know that's a vague answer but that is the reality. Right now if you were hired, there are places that advertise upgrade times at anything from around 2 to 6 years. And that's a real rough estimate. Again, that could all change tomorrow. Try searching around the forum, do as much research as you can; you may find that upgrade times might not be the most important part of picking an airline also, some people go for Quality of Life (pay, living in base, etc etc) over upgrading.
Hope that helps, good luck with your search.
Hope that helps, good luck with your search.
06-19-2007 | 06:10 PM
#5
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 45,144
Likes: 801
From: Engines Turn or People Swim
Typical upgrades right now...
Low-tier turboprop operator: 6-12 months
Jet regional: 2-3 years (occasionally as low as 1 year)
A few regionals are longer, even 10 years on some aircraft. You definately need to research a prospective employer and understand their geography, pay, work rules(MOST IMPORTANT!), expected growth, upgrade, and company culture. Make sure it matches your needs...you are in the very unusual and fortunate position of being able to be somewhat picky. Historically most of us had to take the first job offer we could get. But don't work for Mesa or Gojet...ESPECIALLY gojet.
Getting called by a Major...total crapshoot. It can take anywhere from 18 months as a regional FO to never. The most important factors in order of importance:
1) Military flight experience.
2) Knowing someone on the inside. Actually this is #1 but military guys always know somebody anyway.
3) Having an affirmative action affiliation.
4) Turbine PIC time, 1000+ hours
5) Larger aircraft time (737 or better)
6) 121 time
7) Turbojet Time
8) Glass cockpit time
9) Masters Degree
Low-tier turboprop operator: 6-12 months
Jet regional: 2-3 years (occasionally as low as 1 year)
A few regionals are longer, even 10 years on some aircraft. You definately need to research a prospective employer and understand their geography, pay, work rules(MOST IMPORTANT!), expected growth, upgrade, and company culture. Make sure it matches your needs...you are in the very unusual and fortunate position of being able to be somewhat picky. Historically most of us had to take the first job offer we could get. But don't work for Mesa or Gojet...ESPECIALLY gojet.
Getting called by a Major...total crapshoot. It can take anywhere from 18 months as a regional FO to never. The most important factors in order of importance:
1) Military flight experience.
2) Knowing someone on the inside. Actually this is #1 but military guys always know somebody anyway.
3) Having an affirmative action affiliation.
4) Turbine PIC time, 1000+ hours
5) Larger aircraft time (737 or better)
6) 121 time
7) Turbojet Time
8) Glass cockpit time
9) Masters Degree
06-19-2007 | 10:10 PM
#6
Swearing at the FMA
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 902
Likes: 0
From: MD-88 FO
Typical upgrades right now...
Low-tier turboprop operator: 6-12 months
Jet regional: 2-3 years (occasionally as low as 1 year)
A few regionals are longer, even 10 years on some aircraft. You definately need to research a prospective employer and understand their geography, pay, work rules(MOST IMPORTANT!), expected growth, upgrade, and company culture. Make sure it matches your needs...you are in the very unusual and fortunate position of being able to be somewhat picky. Historically most of us had to take the first job offer we could get. But don't work for Mesa or Gojet...ESPECIALLY gojet.
Getting called by a Major...total crapshoot. It can take anywhere from 18 months as a regional FO to never. The most important factors in order of importance:
1) Military flight experience.
2) Knowing someone on the inside. Actually this is #1 but military guys always know somebody anyway.
3) Having an affirmative action affiliation.
4) Turbine PIC time, 1000+ hours
5) Larger aircraft time (737 or better)
6) 121 time
7) Turbojet Time
8) Glass cockpit time
9) Masters Degree
Low-tier turboprop operator: 6-12 months
Jet regional: 2-3 years (occasionally as low as 1 year)
A few regionals are longer, even 10 years on some aircraft. You definately need to research a prospective employer and understand their geography, pay, work rules(MOST IMPORTANT!), expected growth, upgrade, and company culture. Make sure it matches your needs...you are in the very unusual and fortunate position of being able to be somewhat picky. Historically most of us had to take the first job offer we could get. But don't work for Mesa or Gojet...ESPECIALLY gojet.
Getting called by a Major...total crapshoot. It can take anywhere from 18 months as a regional FO to never. The most important factors in order of importance:
1) Military flight experience.
2) Knowing someone on the inside. Actually this is #1 but military guys always know somebody anyway.
3) Having an affirmative action affiliation.
4) Turbine PIC time, 1000+ hours
5) Larger aircraft time (737 or better)
6) 121 time
7) Turbojet Time
8) Glass cockpit time
9) Masters Degree
06-19-2007 | 10:42 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Right Seat... Forever
Typical upgrades right now...
Low-tier turboprop operator: 6-12 months
Jet regional: 2-3 years (occasionally as low as 1 year)
A few regionals are longer, even 10 years on some aircraft. You definately need to research a prospective employer and understand their geography, pay, work rules(MOST IMPORTANT!), expected growth, upgrade, and company culture. Make sure it matches your needs...you are in the very unusual and fortunate position of being able to be somewhat picky. Historically most of us had to take the first job offer we could get. But don't work for Mesa or Gojet...ESPECIALLY gojet.
Getting called by a Major...total crapshoot. It can take anywhere from 18 months as a regional FO to never. The most important factors in order of importance:
1) Military flight experience.
2) Knowing someone on the inside. Actually this is #1 but military guys always know somebody anyway.
3) Having an affirmative action affiliation.
4) Turbine PIC time, 1000+ hours
5) Larger aircraft time (737 or better)
6) 121 time
7) Turbojet Time
8) Glass cockpit time
9) Masters Degree
Low-tier turboprop operator: 6-12 months
Jet regional: 2-3 years (occasionally as low as 1 year)
A few regionals are longer, even 10 years on some aircraft. You definately need to research a prospective employer and understand their geography, pay, work rules(MOST IMPORTANT!), expected growth, upgrade, and company culture. Make sure it matches your needs...you are in the very unusual and fortunate position of being able to be somewhat picky. Historically most of us had to take the first job offer we could get. But don't work for Mesa or Gojet...ESPECIALLY gojet.
Getting called by a Major...total crapshoot. It can take anywhere from 18 months as a regional FO to never. The most important factors in order of importance:
1) Military flight experience.
2) Knowing someone on the inside. Actually this is #1 but military guys always know somebody anyway.
3) Having an affirmative action affiliation.
4) Turbine PIC time, 1000+ hours
5) Larger aircraft time (737 or better)
6) 121 time
7) Turbojet Time
8) Glass cockpit time
9) Masters Degree
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