First you aren't the only PDT FO feeling the pinch, theres lots of us in the exact same boat who are afraid that we will never have the opportunity to upgrade.. Then what?

CPZ is one place I know thats hiring. I know one guy that got hired there and I guess there was a second who also left recently. Its a 'lateral move with a future' -- but one that fits your qualifications.

Other regionals are hiring too. I personally wouldn't bother going to GoJets. But Eagle might have a decent future, and Colgan most likely has a solid future as an independent "very low cost" Q400 operator. But you have to ask yourself if you want to work for those companies.

Another PDT FO just went to ATC, its shift work though so while you are 'home' your schedule is wonky and you won't always be home at night/day/evenings. But barring any Greece like 'austerity' in the states, it is a well paying and very stable job, one that a person with a few years as a 121 FO would be uniquely qualified for.

Those Caravan gigs sound like an alright remedy to your situation as well. A bit risky as far as stability of employment perhaps, but maybe worth it considdering that our current employment is every bit as unstable.

Whichever path you take, they are all a roll of the dice. Who had the best roll will be determined 30, 40 years from now. Good luck =)

 

I wouldn't say useless...but carriers like Cathay want to see some command experience in a crew-cockpit flying something transport cat/multi turbine before they give you a shot at right seat on a 747.

@ Phuz: CPZ? Is that Compass? I'm told they want an ATP and are no longer hiring now anyway. And as far as ATC goes, I wanna fly em, not tell em where fly..LOL..besides, I'm too old to become a controller.

 

Ah well I wasn't gonna ask your age =P

CPZ = Compass -- supposedly hiring 60-100 this year, but its a MSP base and the first year pay is awful. Its all on APC here.

 

Just looked at the Compass web-site..they don't pay for your hotel in training...that's insane...I'd move there, but it would be stupid to move until you passed your check ride..Training is probably 8 weeks at a non AQP carrier...I'd have to flush all my savings just to pay for food and a roof while in training..All to take a 10$ pay cut to fly a much bigger a/c! LMAO...

In the immortal words of Ronald Reagan.."I may be dumb, but I'm not stupid!" Flow-through be dammed. I'll never work for another wholly owned.

Naaa, bout the only other regionals I'd go to would be Sky West or maybe Republic..But upgrade times at those guys are not great either and neither is hiring. I have been thinking about Porter or maybe even Jazz though...

 

Jazz and Porter will require a Canadian ATPL in order to get hired. And the Canadian ATPL requires more PIC time then the FAA, because it can't be ICAO restricted.

 

dashgirl -
if you like to fly in asia, try applying with cebu pacific. im assuming you are more than qualified if you have atleast 3500 tt cebupacificair.com

 

It would help to be Filipino if you're going to apply at Cebu (help a lot), also speaking the language and having a living arrangement there already in place would pretty much be required. I don't think many people want to learn Taglog just to work in Manila (visiting is a whole other story though).

Single engine time is not "useless", and don't even let anyone try to convince you otherwise. Many people flew a whole bunch of single pistons and turbines way before they got to start logging time in Dashes and Jets for a long time before many of us were in this industry. They're usually the people you're referring to as "Captain" while flying. There are no shortcuts and many will care less for your Multi SIC than they do for your Single PIC, that PIC time is very valuable, it shows you are mature, responsible and able enough to command an airplane in an operation, you are the one making the decisions with little to fall back on (especially in a Single Pilot twin or single), that time is more valuable than many care to make it seem. As time goes by I see many, many more people are simply becoming CMLs rather than taking the time to build a foundation upon which to build a career. Also, your career goal is a very respectable international company that gets to (usually) pick and choose the cream of the crop of the applications, there are few if any shortcuts to working for a company like that. However I will say, do not forget the most important job seeking task in this industry, NETWORKING and SOCIALIZING, they have been in the minimum requirements for every job I've ever had in aviation.

 

I love when people complain about a job they DON'T have...

 

Or when the #1 priorities are upgrade, plane size and such things, it's what I've grown to expect from CMLs.

Personally it's rather ironic that many people I know who went to Pinnacle because of the "quick upgrade" are sitting FO and probably going to be furloughed sooner or later while people who went to Eagle are slowly progressing up the seniority list, funny, considering everyone convinced me that you NEVER upgrade at Eagle.

 

There are other multi turbine jobs out there in the 135 world you would be able to get. Heard of Ameriflight or other feeder freight operators? If you truly want the PIC time/ATP you can get it if you want it. You may even get that ATP knocked out when you complete your type rating.

Just to help with your restless mind: There are some of those out there that have done the 135 route and got the ATP and PIC yet find the doors aren't opening up because we don't have the highly coveted jet time in a 'glass' airplane.

FWIW i've been to the interview with Cathay and they want PIC in something multi crew and a turboprop at the very least. I wouldn't be too hung up on Cathay though.