I concur with this. 2 years is enough to make you more competitive. Hopefully you can get some PIC time.

 

Are PSA and Piedmont hiring street FOs?

 

Yes, both are.

 

they are hiring slowly but now they want experienced applicants outside of the cadets ect. turbine, Cargo, PIC, Multi, all of the above instead of a 1500 cfi who flew patterns around 1 airport teaching someone that knew even less.

 

What if I still need to get a 4 year degree? Still bad idea to sign 5 year contract if no other offers?

 

I think the degree is back as a competitive requirement for now (unless you have guaranteed flow). Legacy hiring will ramp again mid/late decade but it probably won't be as crazy as the last few years, so the degree will likely still be necessary for most folks.

Given that, the five year contract seems less risky to me.

 

All true except for one thing...

Fee For departure (FFD). They all rely on mostly short term contracts with various legacies for their existence. Look back to 2020 and see what happens when regionals lose their contracts, or what happens if the owner just decides he's done with the company.

Also the current relatively high pay can and likely will be knocked back over time, simply by shuffling flying around some to put regional unions on the back foot, and letting inflation take it's toll.

I'm still sticking with the pearl of wisdon acquired by many over the years: It's probably going to be a better career if the logo on your plane matches the logo on your paycheck.

The range of the flying isn't the issue, unless you really want 30 hour layovers at CDG. It's the contractual nature, which of course also applies to ACMI's.

With contracts, some manager way up the chain at another company can just cut you loose with 30 days notice (often in late Dec). They will then go home, knock back some $400 scotch and sleep like a baby.

For a manager at a major to do that, they have to put their own job on the line in BK court. So basically they're largely stuck with you. For a routine downturn, you don't even take a paycut if you're even a little bit senior. If you do get furloughed, you know you'll be back soon enough.

 

With the traditional competitve minimums returning let's look at an example.

You are new to jets no degree and 1500 hours and get a Regional job.

Get hired. Spend 4-6 months in training before logging your first hour. Fly 60 hours of block per month as an FO average. 17 months on the line to get upgrade. 4 months in upgrade training. Now fly 65 hours per months as a CA. 16 months to get first 1000 TPIC. Now you are on the radar for a legacy but not fully competitive yet. Apply, finish degree, hit shows, get interview, wait for class date.

5 years could also be not too long...But predicting airline hiring that far out is a Fool's game.

Yes, everyone will nitpick this timeline. This is what time accumulation at Piedmont is like if you don't trade all your days off for work away.

Good luck.

 

They will never hire and all regionals will be abolished into regional hell where they belong . The regionals have been a scam since 79' .

 

If it is a choice between starting a Part 121 job or staying a CFI with no other prospects it is a bad idea not to take the contract college degree or not.