To apply or not apply...?
 

Hi everyone. Have a question.
I am a low time pilot (just over 300TT 200PIC 26ME). Right now I am in the middle of my working on my CFI. I know a senior capt over at Piedmont and he says if he walks in my resume I will probably get the interview. I know I can get the job if I get the interview, I'm not really worried about that part.

My question is, should I go for the job with the props, or finish out my CFI and then apply for a jet job in like 6 months?
FYI I live on the west coast and would have to relocate to the east if I go for the PD job.

Thanks for the input!

Finish out your cfi, get some experience.

If you want to relocate to the east...then I say go for it.

If you want to stay on the west, then instruct until you can get a job on the west coast.

And prop or jet, it doesn't matter.

Regardless of where you want to live- don't accept a job unless you feel your ready for it. Airline training isn't easy- particularly for low time pilots. You might get hired at 300TT, but the real test is surviving training.

Remember- you can also go to PDT and work there for 6 months or so. Nothing says that you have to move across country. (Although your time it home will be limited significantly- particularly during training). Since PDT doesn't have a training contract, going there for a stint can make you more marketable to other airlines.

I know that I can survive the training. I study well and learn quick. Always have.
How realistic is commuting to the east coast though? I dont mind not being home much, but I dont want to pay rent on a place I will only be at three days a month.

PDT training is very very intense. It is the AQP program, meaning you learn most of the stuff outside of class, then are tested on it in class. When I was a new hire there, we had 5 out of 19 fail out. My sim partner got the boot after 2 sim lessons. He had well over 1000 hrs, and was sharp. Flying a full motion sim for your first time, while shooting approaches with engines failed, things on fire, all while trying to get the thing on the ground is not easy. Good luck with your decision, I have never regretted going there, but if you decide it is for you, be prepared for it.

I'm not doubting your study habits and abilities, but I do detect a red flag here... 121 training is a totally new experience unless you are a graduate of certain military training programs. It is a HUGE ramp-up compared to general aviation. Do not underestimate it...10-30% of first-time 121 trainees don't make it. Failing your first 121 training event is NOT a good way to kick-off your airline career.

I did commute West to East as a new-hire. There are a lot of factors, but if you live in a big city in the west and commute to a large hub in the east, you should have access to enough non-stop flights.

However...the transcon commute is really hard on your health and social life, 6-8 hours in a jump seat ain't no fun, period. Also if you need to do more than one leg to commute, I would say no way. You will want to research the commutability of the city pairs you are considering.

I eventually changed airlines to get away from the Easterly bases. If QOL is important to you I would suggest doing the CFI gig to qualify for Horizon/XJet/SKW/eagle. I think eagle and Xjet will hire you with 400-500 hours.

Thanks a ton for the input guys. I am now leaning more towards staying with my CFI and shooting for Xjet or something. I really would rather say west coast.

One last Q though. If 121 training is such a huge step up from anything before, how will being a CFI prepare me for it? Sounds to me like it would be a totally different experience from being a CFI too.

You don't know what you can survive. you have 300tt and 26 multi! My god 26 hrs of multi ,, your ready to fly jets. sounds like SJS to me

I agree, thats scary to be teaching people how to fly let alone flying an airplane. I have flown with many CA's and talked with some from other airlines and a majority of these low low time guys are way behind the airplane and lack basic airmenship..........