Ae???
 

I recently attended the AE job fair in Chicago and was told to get about 25 hours of multi time and I would be flown down to DFW for an interview. I am a low time pilot with just short of 300 mark and 25 hours of multi. Im not sure what to do. I can build the 25 hours which would cost me about 5K. However, I am nervous that when I get my 50 hours of multi, as they asked, I will not hear anything from them or they will stop hiring. I can fly the 25 hours within prob. the next 2 weeks. I dont want to be left with a total of 50 multi hours, down 5K without a job as not many regionals hiring right now. Any suggestions?

You'll probably hear this a lot but perhaps put that $$ to better use and get your CFI. In fact, that's probably the best idea. Then if you're stuck without a job you will be able to get a CFI gig almost anywhere. Plus you can get some more time instructing and more opportunities will be open to you later on. These days there really is no reason to buy time to get a regional job even if things are slowing down a bit.

get your CFI. You never know when you'll be furloughed.

I was working on my CFI and found an aerial survey job. I've flown all over the US. I've been in NYC bravo, all the way to Houston TX in their bravo, DC in the FRZ. It's been a great experience. Being a flight instructor isn't the only way to build time, but I'll say finding a CFI job is easier than finding misc time building jobs. I was a diver driver also, but that didn't pay any bills it was just for fun/time.

check climbto350.com for misc jobs. I've seen stuff there. If you're looking for a guarantee get your CFI.

Pilot84,
It's funny you are worried about spending 5K to get an additional 25 hours of multi so you can interview at Eagle. Just 6 months ago, I was stuck at 62 hours of multi and Eagle was telling me to go get an additional 38 hours of multi so I could meet their 100 hour multi requirement. When I was at that point, I considered myself very fortunate to even be considered at another regional with those hours. It shocks me when now others might consider themselves competitive (yet alone) ready for the airlines with a third of what I had. I'm sure others said the same thing of me 6 months ago, but I made it. I'm not saying you can't do it (because I don't know you), but I'm just making a point about how stubborn Eagle was with me and now it seems they'll take anything with a pulse whether its good for them, their applicants, or not. Frankly, I'm glad they were stubborn because I wouldn't be where I'm at now.

I feel your concern for wanting to get in while the "getting in" is good, but you should be honest with yourself...you need to get those hours up. We're all in debt up to our eyeballs, so if you can get the 5K to get your hours up, do it. You'll be more competitive and the experience will go a long ways. Others have suggested CFI'ing and that's probably a good idea.

network, find a 'friend' on line that can share the expense, safety pilot/flying pilot for eachother....there's got to be a $150/hr apache out there to rent...right??

Eagle is so desparate for pilots that I would ask them if it was possible to interview prior to getting the time with the caviat of getting the additional hours if offered the job. Make them invest in you before you invest in them. Good luck.

careerpilot, i am thinking about telling the exact thing. I just hope they atleast give me an interview so i can explain myself to them

Dont spend the 5K buying time, whatever you do. Go to your local FBO, suck up the pride, hang out and meet someone with a twin that will let you ride. Even if they arent returning to your airport that day and you have to rent a car or hotel. It is still a better deal! If you have to spend the 5k, cuz its burning a hole in your pocket, get your MEI. But, my honest suggestion is to email Karen F. at Eagle and explain that you are very interested in Eagle and its the one place you want to be, you understand that you are just below the requirements, however, you have excelled in school and training and will make an excellent eagle pilot blah blah blah... if you need her email addy, PM me. I wouldnt worry about us stopping hiring anytime soon because we are reaaallly short. We need 123 FOs in ORD on the EMB alone!

I know its been tossed around on another thread a bit, but how tough would it be to get LAX on the jet or the Saab, if you take the jet out of ORD first?

Spend 5K on getting your MEI, the experience is priceless. Besides do you really think your ready to fly a jet in and out of ORD with less than 300 hours? Do your future Capt'n a favor and get some experience so he does not feel alone up there.

Can anyone elaborate on Eagle's deal where the send you to flight safety for three weeks? I'm at 980TT/54ME and my interview is in a week.

Any idea on if I would be assigned this training?

I'm assuming they only send pilots with less than 750tt to this training in florida. It's either at flight safety or Regional airline academy. It all depends on the captains review board and what they think about your interview process and logbook times. ???

Pilot84,

I think the question you are posing should be to yourself. Do I want to fly for an airline? If yes, then spend a little more than what you have probably spent already (like the rest of us) and then, not have to pay for flying again.

And what you really need to marvel at is the fact that you are so close with such low time. Seize the moment. All the other pointers about getting instructor ratings is something you can entertain if you don't get hired now, and are waiting years for the next hiring boom.

Respectfully,
Apollo

EXACTLY!!!

The flying isn't the tough part, it's the radio-work! And if I could do it (I was useless the first three legs on IOE into ORD LoL), then anybody can.

Way to go and build up his confidence there, buddy...And for the record, I am not a fan of low-timers in the 121 environment, but that, like all of yours, is just an opinion.

It all depends on the captain's review board. Typically, if you have less than 100 multi, you go to FL. Almost everyone I know that went down there (about 10 people so far) has less than 100 multi with various total times (500-1200).

When i interviewed i had less than 100 multi and 550 TT. i was given a conditional offer good until may under the stipulation that i get 100 multi. I have over 700 tt and just over 100 multi and i am under the impression that i won't have to go to the regional transition class. they said that i'm good for the may 12th class.

When was your interview...before the Jet-course in Florida was conceived?

I think that I am stating the obvious. I hear all the time that new guys can't talk on the radio. I am just saying....Get some more experience.

Does Eagle make you pay for that jet transition course?

Nope...not that bad a deal, actually...

Moreover, there is no finer place to get experience than sitting next to an experienced Capt. I would take that over sitting next to a student pilot.

When I went into the USAF I didn't know how to launch ICBMs but 120 days later, I knew how to be a competent Deputy Commander. My Commander gave me the practical experience I needed. Same with flying, you want to fly with someone better to make you better.

I interviewed in December...there was 13 of us...one guy had 2000 hours with the bulk of it instruction and he had to do the course...at that interview the lowest time hired was around 400 and he was into the ATR in SJU and he had to take the course. Another guy with around 1000 hrs had to take it also i think. I'm not sure why they never mentioned it to me. they just said 100 hrs of multi and a college degree.

Has anyone been through the course? If so how was it? How long is it? What kind of materal do you cover during it? How much time did you have have from the end of the course to the start of Ground in DFW? Thanks!

Where do you find out if AE is holding job fairs, and in what town? I have seen americaneaglecareers.com, but it never matches up with what I am reading. It never mentioned one in ORD.
Thanks for the info....

great advice! just got word that four people here at eagle didn't make it after one year of employment with eagle, failed their probationary ride.

Just like any accident, it's a chain of events. I'm sure their performance up to the ride guaranteed the result.

Does eagle have a training contract? Don't remember ever seeing it listed/talked about.

On another topic, would it be worth going to eagle (or another regional) for a year or two just for the experience? Airline track is not my end goal. Would doing someting like that help or hinder you in future inverviews?

Would the experience gained as an FO on the larger equip. be a plus if applying to say one of the fracs?

Just looking for thoughts on this.

Thanks
Zoinks

No...unless you take the RJ course offerred to low timers.

Yes, and many people bail after 6-12 months at their first regional job.

Probably.