stickwiggler

to the author of this post.... spend the money on a type? Yes, just not that one. Most of the regional hiring people want to see one thing. Will you get through the training? If you have a type already, you've shown that you can "drink from the fire hose" and have some experience in the sim. i.e. any type will help you get hired at a regional. But, I would pick a type that could get you a job. A citation type is probably the most practical, more slowtations flying around than anything else.
One person noted that a CL 65 type is also a Challenger 850 type, he is correct, but I wouldn't depend on that being worth anything, because even if you got one you'd be competing with a million other guys with the same type + experience.
Double dip, get the experience that will get you the interview and job @ an airline, but something you could fall back on in the corporate world.

rickair7777

Yeah, if you absolutely have to buy a turbine type to boost your own self-esteem, get one of the lower-end citation types. That could actually make the difference on getting a corporate job.

flysafe540

This is my exact thinking and I knew there were some folks out there who agree with me. Yes it is expensive but I think it is worth it in the long run. There's a difference between getting a job and getting a job and regretting paying for the type. I'd rather look back and regret paying for it once I have a job then not have a job at all. I'd like to know what's coming before I'm surprised and have a little extra edge going into an airline's training program.I have no shame in saying it. You are 100% right about an airline's investment. People think it's purely recency of experience. A big factor sure but not all. It would not hurt for a company to see this guy drunk from the firehose and digested it. Thanks for the input. Keep in touch if you know anyone at all who is interested. If you were a cfi maybe you know some newbies who would like to get such training. The difc in price if you bring your own sim partner is $6k.-flysafe

flysafe540

Thanks for your response and all the others for their inputs, for or against. I just wanted to say as the originator of this thread and to all those against getting the type: I understand and respect your opinions and can see the logic in all of them. You're just looking out for a fellow pilot (or not) which I appreciate. However, I must say that I believe in the type as everyone's situation is a bit different from the next persons. It's easy to say it's a waste of time and money. To those that suggested I was doing it to make me feel good believe me I don't need to spend this kind of money to make me feel good. I was looking at it from a hiring standpoint and in many cases it does help because it does show airlines you are trainable and can make it through their training program. It also makes it that much easier to make it through the training program once you do get hired. Anyway, my point is thanks for all inputs and to put out that if anyone has any ideas about where to find or advertise to find someone as stubborn as me who wants the type, please let me know asap as the difc in going alone vs a partner is $6k. -flysafe

freezingflyboy

Not neccesarily true. There were 3 people in my class that didn't make it through training at XJT. Two had previous airline experience and one had bought himself a CRJ type rating. None of the 3 left voluntarily. Something to think about. If you are going to buy a type rating, buy one that is worth something. A type is a type. Go get a 737 or Citation/Lear type. It will serve you better in the long run and cost you significantly less. I fly with a lot of guys who are trying to/have gotten on with SWA and seems like the going rate for a 737 type is around $7000. That is WAY less than what youre considering and WAY more useful if you have ambitions beyond the regional airline world. Just remember, having that type rating doesn't gurantee you a job.

flysafe540

hey thanks...to a degree you are right...my only concern really is maybe a regional would frown upon a 737 type because they'd be like 'he's coming to us to build his time and in a year or so after we spent our money on him, he's leaving to the majors with his type and the hours he built here.' What's your feeling on that? Believe me I don't want to spend extra money but I think it might help in certain situations. Now what part of the training at XJT did the guy with the type fail, the sim or other? How bout the other two folks with airline training what did they stumble with? This is very interesting to me. Tks. flysafe

rickair7777

The regionals might ask why/how you got a 737 type out of curiosity, but it should not cause them a problem. Most regionals actually want you to do your FO stint, upgrade to captain, get your time and LEAVE. They would much rather replace you with a 3 year captain then have you stay and get paid as a 20 year captain.

They know that odds of you leaving for the majors in a year are slim. It does happen, I know several guys personally, but statistically it is rare enough not to worry about. The 737 will not get you an interview at any major except SWA, but you will also need about 1800 turbine PIC first.


There are no real shortcuts in this industry...whatever you're thinking might enhance your attractiveness to major airlines has already been thought of and tried by at least 1000 pilots who are all much smarter than you. Paradoxically, the only things that greatly enhances your career opportunities in flying are not flying related at all...
1) Who do you know?
2) Who are you? If being a pilot is your sole claim to fame in life, you're scr#wed...there are tens of thousands of white-guy pilots just like you and they have ALL sumitted their resumes too. You need to stand out in other ways: brand-name education, advanced degree, college/pro/ametuer athlete, military officer, minor celebrity, etc. What makes you interesting and different?