No worries.

 

FAC/JTAC tours can be for anybody with wings, and in the past couple years, they've opened it up to SNCO or Officers in ground combat arms MOS's as well. The CH-46 pilot or EA-6B ECMO has just as much chance of getting a FAC tour as a Hornet or Cobra pilot.

The requirement is 2 years of operational flying before you can be sent on a FAC tour, but there is not requirement for actual experience other than that. I've seen guys who are patch wearers and guys who didn't even get a section lead qual both sent on a FAC tour after their first fleet tour. Fleet tours are typically 3 years. Some guys will go do something else, such as training command, career schools, etc, and then go back to the fleet, so not every Marine pilot has to do a FAC tour. FACs are normally company grade, ie senior Lt's or Capt's. If a pilot is coming off or sometimes on the way to his second or third fleet tour, they might again be pulled for something similar only they will be an Air Officer instead of a FAC. FAC is typically considered on the Company level in an infantry batallion, Air Officer on the Battalion level is typically the senior FAC in the batallion and the AO on the regimental level is usually a field grade pilot, ie a Major. So, if they don't catch you for a FAC tour after your first flying tour, they might get you after your second for an AO tour. Usually they try to keep these to less than 12 months for fighter guys do to the requirement for us to refresh. Essentially we turn into a pumpkin after 12 months and lose most if not all of our quals. For helicopter and backseat guys, I think its 18 months.

Probably more than you wanted but hopefully that explains it.

 

1) I have been flying for the regionals for a year.
2) I intend to fly for the regionals for 2-3 years total.
3) I don't know about my "threshold." That mainly depends on the market at the time that I'm looking to get out (1000 TPIC). Right now, if one of my "top 3" wasn't immediately possible, I'd take the first LCC/Legacy to give me a job. A good corporate/fractional gig would also be tempting.

My advice would be to round up your contacts to see if you have any chances at the big iron...if not, hit a regional and hope you hit the upgrade quickly so you can move on.

Good luck.

 

Have you thought about some of the ACMIs? Kalitta supposedly has a short captain upgrade on the 747. Better pay, worse QOL probably.

 

what makes u think everyone wants to fly for a major carrier, everyone has their reasons and if their happy leave them be, theres a place for everyone in this industry