Jumping ship on regionals
 

Hey guys!

I'm looking to put in resumes for the regionals here in a few months and was trying to do some long term planning. Eventually, I would like to work for someone like NetJets and was wondering, realistically, how long it would be before I was eligible for that sort of job. How many pilots do this sort of thing? I've noticed that a lot of people are very concerned about upgrade times. This may be a dumb question with an obvious answer, but why don't more pilots leave the regionals for better jobs rather than waiting for an upgrade?

Thanks!

Very good question. Many of the so called "desireable" spots at the majors and cargo require 1000 PIC turbine which is why these folks wait for the almighty upgrade. As far as NetJets I believe its all about multi turbine time. Correct me if I am wrong for any of the NetJetsetters. :D

Alot of pilots do, and alot of pilots dont either. From my understanding many employers dont like to see alot different employers on a resumee; I think it has something to do with loyalty and commitment towards a company =).

As for the Netjets question depends on their mins, how much flying you do, what type of flying, timing, and luck. A friend of mine got hired with them at 24 he met the mins; most of his time was mountain and alaskan/ multi turbine.

Hard time getting on anywhere after a regional if the only PIC time you have is in a 172. You need that TPIC and you will need an upgrade to get it, called putting in your time and paying you dues.

Gotcha. I figured that was the case, otherwise everyone would be leaving and going somewhere better.

Here are the NetJet minimums as per their website:

To qualify as a NetJets Aviation, Inc. (Citation, Hawker, Falcon, Gulfstream 200, Boeing aircraft) pilot candidate you must have the following prerequisites:

• Airline Transport Pilot Certificate (Multi-Engine Land)
• Current FAA First Class Medical certificate
• 2500 hours total pilot time
• 500 hours fixed wing multi-engine time
• 250 hours instrument time (actual or simulated in flight - excludes simulator time)

I even looked up hiring minimums for a major airline (Delta) and saw that no PIC time was required (just 1,000 hours of fixed wing turboprop or turbofan time). The page did say this:

When evaluating the flight time of applicants meeting the basic qualifications, consideration will be given to, among other things, quality, quantity, recency, and verifiability of training; complexity of aircraft flown; types of flight operations; and hours flown as PIC in turbine powered aircraft.

Is PIC time an unsaid minimum, or is it possible to get hired with a major, or with someone such as NetJets with no turbine PIC?

If you meet the listed mins you can get hired, just not likely. If you are walking in w/o TPIC you better have something else to make up for it like a letter of rec from the Chief Pilot or dating the CEO's daughter.

Also remember these are minimums, as it at least this. We on the regional level get used to looking at listed mins and what you need to get hired and as soon as you get the mins you will get hired due to the shortage at the regional level. The Majors and Fractional are not at that level of desperation yet and with 65 going through it may not be that way for a while.

Turbine PIC isn't a requirement at several of the "major" airlines. At some however, especially desireable ones such as UPS or Southwest, it is. Continental, Northwest, and apparently atleast Delta don't require it. Is it possible to get the job without having the TPIC? yes, normally you'll need some inteneral recomendations however, but it is possible. Without that turbine PIC, and without a recomendation you'll be behind all the other candidates who have your same qualifications, and pilot in command time of a turbine powered airplane.

If you're trying for netjets (which i wouldn't mind myself) you can feel free to apply with 2500 hrs, if they give you the interview....you're set, if not, you'll be hanging out at the regional you're at until they do, which, might be after they award you with an upgrade. Another thought, were u just planning on getting your Multi-ATP in a light twin? It's nice to have the company pay for a certificate for you as opposed to you doing it all yourself as with the past.

Exactly. With the shortage of pilots, especially at the regional level, I think this effect will trickle up to the majors in the future where they will hire people with just SIC time, which some of them already do.

Not exactly. The majors are very much reaching the desperation level. Just look at the relaxed PIC requirements at DA and the relaxed degree requirement along with age at UAL. Its only a matter of time before meeting mins is all it takes for a face to face at a legacy.

the majors are reaching a desperation level? what? youre joking right? if they cut their pay AGAIN youd still see a giant stack of resumes at every major... just look at united when they starting hiring again this past fall. absolutely pitiful place to work yet they got thousands upon thousands of resumes for what, 150 new hire slots or so?

the reason many majors have relaxed requirements is so that certain people can get in (fighter pilots, relatives, and people who might somehow get preferential treatment). its been like this for decades