Unnusual Challenge: Where to go with 2100+TT 300+ME?
 

Hey there,

I've been reading this forum for a while, and since Im kinda getting ready to move on from instructing, I had great curiosity to see what you guys' opinions may be regarding this issue. I registered yesterday, and thought I'd kick it off, if you guys dont mind, with this dilemma Im having here.

Im not too famliar yet, as most of you would be, with current situation of aviation industry here in US. Hence my need to seek for other opinions.

For several reasons not really relevant to this post, I had to stay instructing for about 4 years in FL. I was never interested in Part 135 Ops and honestly I just simply loved instructing. Now it's time to move on up the ladder and Im aiming to step it up to the regionals. I have done extensive research (mostly through this forum, great work guys, keep it up!!! :)) and have pretty much narrowed my best regionals (according specifically to my criteria/needs) to 3 options.

But besides these options, I've also heard that Spirit and JetBlue have dropped their Jet PIC requirement (please feel free to correct me if Im wrong with that...) so all of a sudden, I think that maybe it would be wise to throw these two into the mix as good options as well. Would I be granted an interview with them? that is another story...)

I pretty much care about QOL, (I definately want to be based out of ATL or nearby) not really in a hurry for a left seat, just want to enjoy my way up to good equipment and good/stable company, even if I happen to take a longer way, I want to enjoy my journey there. Now Im no kid here, just turned 30, so it's not that I would be willing to put up with 10 years as an FO either, but lets just say Im not prioritizing my regional airline options based on upgrade time. Not really an issue for me. Money from the regional's first year is pretty bad in most of them I think, so no secrets there.

So, here it goes: Im currently a Chief Flight Instructor in a flight school, around 2100TT and 315ME, all piston except for about 20 in a single turboprop, ME time mostly in BE-76 and PA-44, 85% of it as an MEI. Written ATP out of the way and 4 year college degree also out of the way. Do you guys think it would be worth it to try Spirit or JetBlue? Do I even stand a chance with them? Or would I be in better shape trying on going to a regional instead?

Again, from this post I dont intend to ask directly what is better, I understand that it is only for me to decide that, based on my specific situation, but I would greatly appreciate any type of opinion/suggestion/comment that you guys may want to throw at me. I still have a lot to learn here...

Sorry for the long essay here, tryed to keep it as short as I could! :D

Anyways guys and gals, thanx for the help!!

FS

You should be able to get on at most regionals. I know plenty of people with like 5,000 hours of 121 turbine PIC who can't get an interview at jetblue though so i wouldn't get my hopes up there, but i guess you never know.

FS-

Just my opinion, but I don't think that Jetblue or Spirit will consider you. Not because you don't have flight time, but b/c they are getting more qualified applicants.

Quite honestly, if I had it to do over, I would go to RAH/SKW and live out my regional years as comforatably as possible. Note the comforatable word is relative.

Since your not in a rush to upgrade, you won't have a problem with sitting in the right seat at either place for 2.5-3ish years. Could be more, could be less.

Either way, you'll find good work rules at SKW, with hopefully roughly the same rules coming to RAH with their new contract which is being worked on as we speak.

Bright futures as both airlines, and there's something to be said for that. I came to Mesa chasing a quick upgrade, and am paying the price. Not so much in QOL now, but with the uncertainty that looms over this airline.

Good luck.

You probably won't get a call from any sort of "major" without previous 121 time. Wanting to stay in ATL it's obvious that ASA is an option. I've been here close to a year and have enjoyed it so far and things are improving quickly. Living in domicile is invaluable. If you want to try for SKW or RAH you will have to commute. You should be able to get interest from any regional though. Just apply to your 3 choices and see what happens.

I was kind of in that situation. I had more total time and multi time than that, and I went to SkyWest because I knew realistically that's about all the opportunity I'd have. I continue to apply to every place I meet the mins for, just to see what happens, but I'm not exceedingly hopeful. In fact, no one has called me yet.

Certainly it's not going to hurt to apply to Spirit or jetBlue if you do indeed meet their minimums, but I wouldn't turn down ASA or whomever in the meantime.

True, unless they want to - and this is a wild idea - BID FOR THE S5 ATLANTA BASE.
Actually, I guess that wasn't such a wild idea after all.

If you want to be in ATL, go to ASA. It doesn't matter what regional you go to, you'll make the same amount of money. Go where you will be happy if movement stops and you get stuck there for a long time.

Wow! Thank you guys for the quick reply! I really appreciate the help!

Ok, so jetblue and spirit are pretty much then out. I wasnt too crazy about this deal, just wanted to sense the your feelings about these two and my situation. None of them have a base close to ATL and I cant wait to get out of Florida.

I think I didnt mention it on my original post, like Atlmsl said, my firtst option is ASA. I had already talked to them on a job fair last July in MIA and did the pre-screening procedure there, they took my resumee, and allegedly Im in their HR system, they told me just to call them in months ahead whenever I was ready to be interviewed.

My second option is, like POPA pointed out, RAH, although with them who knows what I'would get as far as certificate and/base, but yes, I would definately bid for ATL with S5 certificate. Greensboro was optoin number 2 within RAH (I think with the Republic certificate) and option number 3 still within RAH is DC, (I believe with the Chautauqua certificate). With that been said, I have no idea if I would get any of these.

THird overall option was Pinnacle, and I would again bid for ATL. If it wasnt for the appearent civil war they may have coming up with the whole contract thing, it would probably be my second option. I have a very good friend ready to upgrade whom I trust and gives me good info from it. But again, in their situation, Im not too sure anymore.

SharkAir, good advice, actually ASA is my dream to get in. has everything Im looking in a regional. But Im not gonna lie, still nervous about the sim ride on the CRJ700 Sim. I have no glass cockpit experience nor prior CRJ training. SO Im not getting my hopes up or putting all my eggs in taht basket!. I also have a lot respect for this company because last july, when I came to them to get info from it, the girl that screened me and got my resumee, she cared about my specific case, and she went the extra mile on trying to find options for me to join the airline. She did a lot of inquiries and stuff. It didnt end up working anyway, I still had to wait a few months, but just out of appreciation, I'd also like to give them the first optoin. I lie how they handled my case, when every body else in taht job fair, just sent me off.

Anyways, big thanx for the help!!!
FS

Have you looked into Mesaba? Good QOL and quick upgrades right now. Flowthrough with NWA and getting 2 new CRJ900 per month through October 2008. Commuter freindly policy. 70% of pilots at Mesaba commute.

I wouldn't worry about that too much. A CFI friend of mine interviewed there back in the day with no glass time or CRJ training and he did just fine. My understanding is that they're just looking for basic instrument skills, not expert-level glass knowledge or even any CRJ knowledge. I don't see why people make a big deal out the glass cockpit anyway. I found it to be a non-issue. You could probably adequately familiarize yourself with MS FlightSim.

Yeah, I intended to fly the crap out of the CRJ in FSX before I interview!!

Well, I really wanted to avoid commuting, even if it is pretty a easy skip. But will keep it in mind...

Atlmsl, Id love to get more info on ASA, anything would be great. Do you mind if I reach you eventually if I have any questions on ASA? Thanx.

I wonder then why did Spirit and JetBlue get rid of their 1000hr PIC-Jet if they are going to end up anyways hiring people from Part 121 ops? To get them sooner before they reach their 1000hr left seat mark? Just courious...

Again, thanx a lot for the info!

Does anybody now how long the reserve time may be in Pinnacle based in ATL? Just courious...

Had been looking at alot of the same kind of info on ASA about two weeks ago and alot of ASA guys posted info for me , if they are reading this Thank-You. For the gentleman that started the post- I believe the lady at ASA that you are talking about's name is Jenny and she is an amazing lady that really seems to want to help out their pilot prospects in any way she can-Also try and speak with Dale, he is one of the head guys at pilot reqruitment and is also a wealth of info and help. I was very impressed by the way ASA treated me during all aspects of their screening and application process. I was scheduled to interview with them on the 27th/28th of this month but have had to push it back to the 5/6th of March, because of my current employment situation. Like I said I did alot of research on the company so anything you have a question on ask and I'll try to be of help. One last thing-you said you where a lil worried about the sim ride in the 700. One off the last questions Dale asked me during my Pre-screening was if I had any glass cockpit time, when I told him that I did not, he told me to deff. go and get MFS X, I can't tell you what a confidence booster it has been over the past week, knowing that I have been flying that airplane every day on the computer. Yes I know that my computer room is not a level D sim but I actualy have alot of jet simulator time and you dont even realize the things moving most off the time because you are to busy concentrating on your scan. Good luck and keep us informed on how things go- this Forum is awesome especially for guys that are not in the 121 gossip loop and need to be. I've been flying a jet for the past four years for a Pt. 91 company and had a totally different idea af the airlines untill I came here. Alot of *****ing about things, but also a Great Knowledge Bank.

The reason spirit and jetblue don't have the TPIC requirement is for the exact reason you specified, 121 FO's looking for jobs. You're TT is very competitive (infact more than) however, while your multi is very decent for any instructor, and impressive when it comes to getting that first job, it's also around as much as a airline pilot flies in 4 months time.

If you'd like to get to spirit or Jetblue, my advice would be a year getting some 121 turbine experience as an SIC, and then put in your application, worst they'll say is no. Plus, you'll be looking at having 3100 hrs TT, plus 1000 hrs SIC-Turbine, if they don't bite, stick it out another year or two, upgrade, and leave whenever the time is right. With the time you have though, i'd be picky about where you go, in this current industry, you're very marketable, so don't settle for a lowball, or location that you don't want to be.

PS- Had a RAH guy jumpseating with us the other day, and i thought he said they have a ATL base for the 170, but i'm not 100% sure. Might be worth checking out.

Shuttle America has a base in ATL.
Chautauqua has a base in GSO.
Republic has a base in DCA.
When you interview, you have the opportunity to tell them which certificate you'd like, and why. With the way we're hiring right now, I imagine they'd be more than happy to accomodate you if you had a good reason for wanting one airline over the other. When you get the job offer and class date, they tell you which airline it's for so you'd have the chance to turn the offer down if it wasn't what you wanted.

I don't think you'll get a call from Spirit, Jetblue or any of the nationals (Airtran, Frontier). They have thousands of regional guys trying to get on with them, those guys usually have a couple of thoudsand RJ hours. Also those companies want to make sure you can succesfully complete class/sim-training on something heavier, like an RJ or Dash 8. They really want to see that turbine time

I don't think it was said in this thread, but SkyWest does have a base in ATL. Of course, we're not hiring right now.

Yeah! that does sound familiar! She really tryed to help me out, more than any of the other companies did. That really gave a very good impression of the company overall. Id like to be part of it.


I agree, I knew it would probably do the trick as far as getting that interview for the first job, but I know I wouldnt be getting any real attention from bigger companies...

That is great info! I didnt know about when or how I could bring up to the company's attention about where I want to be based and all that. One question though: Wouldnt it look bad if they offer a class date for a certificate and I turn it down just because that certificate doesnt have a base that I want? Im not sure, I just dont know, is this standard procedure?, I wouldnt want to seem ungrateful to the company by turning down an offer...

If I try to interview for SkyWest (provided they are interviewing) would they have into consideration the fact that I already may have interviewed for ASA? I mean, ASA would be my first option, so if they dont hire me, Id gor the other ones, maybe including SkyWest. Wouldnt they note that ASA already rejected me and hence not take me, since ASA is owned by them? Does Skywest arms reach that far?

Anyways, thanx again for the tremendous help!
FS...

Every interview ever gives the interviewee a chance to ask questions of the interviewer. This would be a great opportunity to say, "I live in ____, so I'd really like to be hired for the ____ certificate; where have most of your newhires gone recently?"
I don't think you'd seem ungrateful if you turned down a class because it wasn't for the certificate you wanted. You've got solid reasons for wanting one over another, and QOL is paramount when you move to a new job. RAH has been turned down by applicants before and I'm sure they'll be turned down again.

Yeah, that seems like a good way to bring it up. Thanx a bunch!

Now what about this: Do you guys think that it would look bad if I ask to the company (ASA in this specific case) for an interview date now even tho I wouldnt be able to start with them until May 1st (I commited the school Im now for 6 months, and they are due in april.)? The basic reason is because that would give me and my wife plenty of time to look for places in ATL and try to set up as much as we can ahead of time before I go into training (If I get hired and offered a class date)

I now I can just call ASA HR folks directly about this, but hey, you guys have given great opinions and suggestions, why not run it through you guys first? :p


Thanx again for the help!
FS

Your strategy could backfire on you. I know someone who asked for a specific one to go to after an offer was made to the one he did not want to go to and the offer was withdrawn. So if you make this type of a specific demand, make sure uou are willing to walk away from the offer.

Given your background, I honestly don't think you'll have a problem getting offered a class date with ASA. I interviewed there 2/19~2/20 and somehow passed the sim ride. My times are 2400/120 and most of my flying this past year has been in a 182. Never even seen a sim before and I've never been one to sit around and play flight sim on the computer. I did, however pick up FSX and a borrowed yoke to get used to the instrument layout. Interview was not stuffy at all and the sim instructor did a good job of helping me calm down.

I would tell you to PM me for more details but I don't have that feature. My screen name is av8rbama over at flightinfo and *************, feel free to PM me at either of those places and I'll do my best to answer any of your specific interview questions.

Thanx a lot for your help Willi075!

But would I have the PM feature in those websites you mention even if I register just know?

Cheers!
FS

I'd say if you're willing to say "no" to bite the bullet on where you want to go, then i'd definitely do your best to do it.

Also, don't see any reason to send resume's out now hoping for an interview date, for a later class. just be sure that's all clear in your "time available" portion of your resume. If it is, and they still call you, then you're golden. If they don't call, send it out again a month or two before the said date to make sure they remember you (things get filed, and sometimes forgotten). Best of luck, sure it'll go well.

I know you will have PM privileges for sure at *************, not sure about flightinfo as it's been years since I registered there and A LOT has changed. both are now $10 to register, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck at PPW.

I don't want to sound like I'm advertising for other sites but I don't want ot just post my email up here for the world to see.

Yeah I know, dont worry, I appreciate your help, I'll definately contact you!

Does anybodu know how many posts I need to putin order to be able to PM?

Thanx!

one more post

Deal! Thanx!

well, in that case...

here's my 10.

flightstar.....
i was in the same boat as you as far as when to apply. i called them in oct and told them i would graduate until december and they told me to apply so i did. it takes a bit for them to send you paperwork ect. i think if you apply now youll be in good shape. as far as looking for places to live......there are ample apartments in atlanta, smyrna/vining is where a lot of people from here live and theres 3 br's in the 900's. its a good area as well and a 20-30 minute commute to the lot depending on traffic. one thing to think about is youll be in training foreeeeever. i started in the beginning of dec and will probobly not be done until end of march (through ioe). you have a hotel until the end of ioe and its single occupancy. im pretty happy here so far and have no gripes (more pay would be nice but whats new). any questions feel free to pm me.

Great info, cbram.

Yes, more than likely I'll be getting in touch with you, thanx!

I've been looking in Peachtree City, I dint know where I read in the forum that was also a good place. But I will definately check Smyrna and Vinig out...

Safe flights!
FS

That's true, but if you ask the question during the interview (like I suggested), you're asking BEFORE an offer to hire is made.

Go fly cargo for Airnow.. You will be a turbine captain in the EMB 110. WWW.airnow.com

Airnow? I will do my research, dont know much about them. Thanx for the lead!!

FS.