These days I would go for the fast PIC time provided you have all the other boxes checked like 4 yr degree.
10 years ago I would have went for a place I could stand to "get stuck" like Eagle. ...But there is going to be massive movement soon and I'm not talking about the old Captain going to the lav.

But then again... upgrade time is going to come way down at most regionals. Probably less than 3 years at the better regionals in another year. So a fast upgrade at a crap airline where you stand the possibility of being stuck is a personal choice gamble.

I don't think Jet time really matters too much.. it's the PIC turbine 121 time.

Yup and most everyone knows that for example a Lakes pilot definitely has some flying skills. But the decision to make is personal and I suppose its best to choose the place that feels right in your gut.

All regional airlines pay like crap, but I truly don't see how some folks can afford to go to Lakes for 3-4 years in order to get that "coveted" 1000 TPIC. I understand the desire to get qualified for a major airline job right effing now, but the pay is SO low that I don't see how you can do it unless you 1. have a highly paid spouse, 2. mommy & daddy are paying your expenses, 3. you are going into tens of thousands of dollars of debt or 4. you like living hand-to-mouth in a college dorm-style environment.

If I had stayed at Air Wisconsin, I'd have made more $$$ since Jan 2006 as an FO than if I had upgraded after 12 months to E120CA at Lakes. Of course at this point I'd have a few thousand hours of PIC time with all the boxes checked for Delta, FedEx, SWA, etc. but I'd be in debt and I don't have a remotely expensive lifestyle.

To each their own, however; goodness knows there are plenty of Lakes pilots who have gone from a 1900 to 737 and MUCH larger equipment with no problems over the last couple decades.

Hey All,

This is my first time on the forum although I pop in to see what is going on in the industry from time-to-time. I just wanted to get some feedback from the folks who are currently flying for RAH with regards to off the street hiring. I meet all the requirements (ATP, 2700+hrs, current 135 and previous 121) so I applied online. I'm friends with a check airman over there and have a buddy that is a FO in DCA so I know what I am getting myself into. A couple of days ago, however, I received a "thanks but no thanks" e-mail from HR. I'm trying to figure out if you guys are indeed hiring off the street or if you're only hiring the furloughed guys (such as Lynx pilots) that are currently on the street? Any information is greatly appreciated.

You're over-qualified for RAH, honestly.

Friend of mine applied with ATP 4000tt 1200 121 PIC 3 internal recs and still got turned down. From what I understand, not only are they are not short of qualified applicants, but they got 500+ more applications than they were hoping for. Pilot shortage, go figure.

That just may be the case

I don't have the ATP, but they are making me get it and I have slightly higher time than he has and I am not current, yet I was hired. Who knows what the trick is.

Thought you were going to USA Jet?? Not up for flying the DC9-osaur? :D

Why with that experience would your friend be applying to RAH? He/she might want to set the bar a little higher.

That's not just an RAH thing. You'll be seeing more of this. With the increased "experience" requirements expect to see more hiring like this. There's a reason airlines were fighting it. I think over the next year or so we'll see exactly how much it impacts the airline industry. I had 2000hrs when I was hired however I was flying privately and never got my ATP. There's going to be a domino effect of these regs. For the better. I don't really associate the ATP with better piloting but more hours is a given.