Higher time guys applying to regionals
 

There's been a lot of discussion lately about a "shortage" at the regional level right now, yet every day I come here, I see some pretty qualified people saying that they can't get on with a regional.

For those of you who have more than 2-3000 hours, would you mind posting the following:

1. Breakdown of hours (Total, TPIC, ME, Turbine etc)

2. Which regionals you've applied to

3. If they've actually said no, or if you simply haven't heard from them

I'm asking this because I'm wondering if they're not hiring you guys because they genuinely see you as a flight risk, or if they're artificially creating this shortage so they can go back to Washington and cry that the new law is hurting their business. I know it sounds far fetched, but at this point, management hardly surprises me.

i would vote they like to keep the population "young and stupid" so to say...dont want experienced guys teaching them the tricks and know-how of people with time and experience under their belt to learn from. especially with regard to contracts, legal advice, and general smarts.

Never thought I would hear 2000-3000 TT referred to as higher time.

No kidding.. I was low time in my interview with 1800 hrs in late 2003.

My next door neighbor flies C-17s. His plan was to get on with NJI as soon as his military commitment was up. His goal was to fly Gulfstreams (for NJI or a good flight department.)

It's now early 2012, NJI (Netjets) has a bunch of guys on furlough, he applied at several flight departments that operate long-range bizjets, and any major that was hiring at the time. No responses

last week he finally applied at Eagle and some other commuter

If you are higher time, why apply only to regionals? With an ATP and 1500 hrs, you can apply to Jetblue. 3000 you can do Spirit, and 4000 you can do Virgin America.

3000+ skw, xjet, and Rjet, psa no calls. Though everyone else with a bug smasher has called.

Anyone who has that much time, especially 121 time, knows and understands airline mgmt teams for what they are. They are wise to the tactics of companies and know how to fight back. It is a lot harder to abuse anyone with 121 experience and airlines know this. An experienced pilot could "cost more" short term because they are exactly that, experienced.

Sounds good in theory, but these companies are hiring at a trickle pace whereas obtaining a job at a regional tends to happen quicker and in greater numbers. As of now everyone and their mother is applying to Jetblue, Spirit and Virgin America, so less of a chance getting on with them.

I would bet there are a lot of guys with that sort of time who have no turbine PIC and won't get much of a glance from those airlines.

I got furloughed from NJA with nearly 5000 hrs, no PIC. The only call I got was from ASA, interviewed and turned down. That turned out to be a blessing as me going back to a regional would have been break even with commuting expenses on 2nd year pay at min guarantee. First year would have cost us money with full time daycare, food on the road and a crash pad.