SJS (Shiny Jet Syndrome)

That is a serious syndrome, I hear somewhere that roughly 100% of pilots with career aspirations are afflicted with this syndrome. Very sad stuff.

 

I wouldn't count out some of the Aloha/ATA/Skybus/et al pilots finding their way back down to the regionals. With very few regionals even hiring right now, and almost none of the majors, these pilots may not have another choice should they decide to stay in the airline business.

We have a handful of ex-Midway guys left here, not to mention the AA, DL, NW, and US furloughees (most of which have gone back) that sought refuge with a regional during their furlough period. There are even a few guys that found themselves jobless when PanAm ceased operations, and they still work here.

A wave of airline shutdowns affects everyone in the industry, no matter what level you are on. A pool of surplus, qualified will have an impact all the way down to the CFI level. More pilots + less jobs = higher minimums, longer upgrades, slow movement, etc. It doesn't really matter where the unfortunate pilots find other jobs (and I hope they do find other work), because those are just more jobs that the rest of us can't move into for the short term.

 

You are very correct.....I am one of those who just lost my job at Aloha. I was relatively new there at Aloha and with no other majors hiring my only choice is to turn to the regionals.

 

There is nothing wrong with having career aspirations, most people don't want to fly a Tprop for their career. It's those that want everything right away without working for anything that is the problem.

 

I know, just kidding...why is it so taboo for someone with say 300 hours to get on flying a Tprop if the opportunity arises? I'm speaking in terms of low-hour turboprop fo's, because most pilots flying for Skybus, Aloha, etc. probably could cook up an unemployment check that would compete with these fo's pay, yet these low-hour fo's are still frowned upon for getting the job with such low hours. I fullly appreciate instructing and the experience, but I guess what I'm saying is...If it is there, then why not try?....one man's trash is another man's treasure....everyone seems to complain about these jobs, but don't want to give them to people who are willing to take them.

Just my 2 cents.....

Also, not to use the cheap arguement, but think back to when you were 22-23. What if you had a real opportunity. Would you have said, nah, I think it would be wise to build some more time in a 152? Things change, and I understand what more there is to being a professional pilot, but at this point in these people's (for lack of a better word) "career" is seems like a wise choice. If it doesn't happen, then great, build some more time and head back towards it, but if it's here and now, it's worth a shot.

 

It's not taboo anymore. It's normal. Many of these 300 hour guys have a great head on their shoulders and worked very hard to get into an airline so quickly. Unfortunately, there are enough that are way too cocky and can't hold their own; those are the guys that make the rest look bad.

I was one of those 300 hour wonders over 2 years ago when I was hired. Training was a breeze because of an "RJ transition course" that I took, or whatever you want to call it, but it wasn't enough for the real world. It took an easy 3 months on the line before I was worth a crap as an FO. This was at a time when most regionals were looking for 1000/100 for new hires, so most were envious of how quickly I scored that "real flying job." Many of those who bash the 300 hour wonders would probably have grabbed the opportunity had it presented itself, although they won't admit it

I tell this story, however, because the 300 hour bashers are 100% correct in their skepticism. I would kill to go back in time and get 1000 hours CFIing, or flying night cargo ops somewhere in a baron. That experience is invaluable and I wish I had not missed out on it. But, like the majority of those in my shoes would have done, I caved into SJS and took that RJ job. Fortunately for my counterparts, they didn't get that opportunity. They were learning and gaining experience by leaps and bounds while I was holding tightly to the tailcone of a jet, acting as deadweight for a few months in the right seat.

While I hate to admit that I was one of those 300 hour no goods, I do so to caution the up and coming guys out there. Don't sell out early if you can help it!

 

dacline: please feel free to PM me if you plan to move to a regional. You can get lots of great information on any of the regionals from this forum, and most of us on here are more than willing to reply to a PM and answer any specific questions about our companies and help you out with employment. Good luck!

 

Thank you...I can use all the help I can get. Now for a stupid question....how do I PM other users? I thought I could just click on your name but there was nothing there allowing me to PM. BTW...I am brand new to this forum so I plead ignorance.

 

"I tell this story, however, because the 300 hour bashers are 100% correct in their skepticism."

Why, thanks. I feel somewhat....vindicated....

 

Haha I didn't mean it in a bad way. I guess I could have worded that better. Just agreeing that 300 hour RJ FO's need more experience. Sorry if I offended