Part 135/121 Conundrum
 

Hey folks. Here to stir the pot and ask for advice. Currently at a Part 135 on the E-145. The QOL is terrible; 6 legs a day, 10 hour overnights, etc. BUT, at 1,500 you upgrade to start building PIC jet time. What do you think is the better option? Starting over at Piedmont, Envoy, or Commutair or upgrading? I’d have to endure the schedule I hate but could skip the regionals all together and go straight to a major. Thanks for your input in advance :) Fly Safely

Lack of 121 will be difficult to skip the regionals. You’ll have a better QOL at the regionals tbh, max we fly at C5 is 4-5 legs a day and even then much longer overnights. Average is 3 legs a day. Recommend going to the regionals making the jump from there


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Sounds like CFM. I used to work there and went to a regional. Happy I did. That being said, I do know of people that went straight to an LCC.

121
Regs
CBA
Union protection.

In this climate he can probably get away with it, especially if there's a lot of flying in a transport category aircraft (E-145 qualifies).

But checking the 121 box will help, might even be quicker to do the regional route.

Also depends on age.... if young should definitely focus on top-tier and 121 helps there. Otherwise, the delta between legacy and top tier is smaller the older you get.

Go straight to a LCC

^^^^For the win^^^^

It’s 121 time and if first year pay is no different than at a regional, second year and above certainly is. And the survival of many regionals is pretty iffy these days.

What Excargodog said. The Regionals are in a state of flux right now and no one knows what it's going to look like in a year. AA is already using a bus service to a mainline airport on some routes that were flown by a regional. If you can get 1500 hours and go to an LCC that's the best bet.

Upgrade at current company to build some TPIC that will help upgrade at a regional quicker (I think) if you cant get picked up at an LCC or Major by then. Plus the experience would be beneficial.

That being said - if it doesn't feel right and/or you hate it, bounce.

Whatever gets you to major minimums quickest, and as soon as you meet those minimums shotgun the applications immediately.