Originally Posted by shanejj

Since the minimum age for the atp written is 21, I can't have that done for the next two years. Meaning, I'd have to CFI or w/e else there is till then? So that route would take me down to scenario 2. I think it's a great idea if they'd hire with minimums that low. IF I actually did get a call (doubt it though) the only problem I would have would be 121 training and ATP related ?s. I think i do have an asa test prep somewhere that I got for a two year head start. Don't know if it matters that I flew right seat (was not required) on 135 operations just for a few lucky hours. Well guess we'll find out whats gonna happen....

Originally Posted by freezingflyboy

Here is something I think a lot of folks don't really realize. If you jump at the first thing that comes along (which you will have to at 250 hours) you will more than likely end up at a crappy company like Pinnacle, TSA or Mesa. OK, great, you're at that 121 gig building your time in a nice shiny jet telling your friends back at the flight school how great life is. But a year in you realize what a sh!thole you are at and decide to jump ship to SkyWest, XJT or AWAC. Now while you were off trying to find a cure for your SJS, your buddy waited 6 months to build time CFIing before going directly to one of the better companies. Now he is 6 mos ahead of you on the seniority list, will upgrade before you do, has a smaller risk of being furloughed and maybe has paid off some debt while you were acquiring it with moving expenses, uniform expenses, luggage and flight cases, etc etc. Who made the better decision?

Originally Posted by freezingflyboy

Oh boy...
Put this in your pipe and smoke it shanejj:
IF you did get hired, which is not out of the question, you won't be able to upgrade for 4 years!!! Colgan and Commutair have been known to hire that low. Would you really want to spend that much time in the right seat waiting to upgrade? That means 4 years of no PIC time. If you get furloughed, mess up and lose your job or the company goes under, you won't have many other options. Personally, I'd rather have 500-1000 PIC time from instructing to make me marketable to just about anyone rather then the select few operators who would hire a 19 year old with 350 hours.

Originally Posted by Baradium

Don't buy that argument, sorry. There are enough guys who've done the CFI time still very happy to get on with those other airlines. When it comes down to it, guys who CFI just to build time only do it to pass time until they can get on somewhere. They are gone as soon as they get a job, regardless if it is an "upper class" regional. Your CFI friend is likely going to have asked you if you'd walk a resume in for him, even if he got the other job. Maybe now he'll walk one in for you. You make connections, help friends out... it's how the buisiness works.

And I doubt he made any more as a CFI than you did at the first regional, except now you have more part 121 experience than him...

Originally Posted by freezingflyboy

Oh boy...
Put this in your pipe and smoke it shanejj:
IF you did get hired, which is not out of the question, you won't be able to upgrade for 4 years!!! Colgan and Commutair have been known to hire that low. Would you really want to spend that much time in the right seat waiting to upgrade? That means 4 years of no PIC time. If you get furloughed, mess up and lose your job or the company goes under, you won't have many other options. Personally, I'd rather have 500-1000 PIC time from instructing to make me marketable to just about anyone rather then the select few operators who would hire a 19 year old with 350 hours.

Originally Posted by shanejj

Would I mind sitting right for 4 years, build hours while I'm at, and finally be eligible to upgrade? Well, in those 4 years I'll be 23. Old enough to finally be able to take the ATP....So it might be more beneficial to me, a 19year old, than to a 25+ person. I'm still in college now anyway, so can't go anywhere fast unless i finish that. Getting hired right now by the regionals, live on soup for 4 years, might be ok for me....

Originally Posted by freezingflyboy

Here is something I think a lot of folks don't really realize. If you jump at the first thing that comes along (which you will have to at 250 hours) you will more than likely end up at a crappy company like Pinnacle, TSA or Mesa. OK, great, you're at that 121 gig building your time in a nice shiny jet telling your friends back at the flight school how great life is. But a year in you realize what a sh!thole you are at and decide to jump ship to SkyWest, XJT or AWAC. Now while you were off trying to find a cure for your SJS, your buddy waited 6 months to build time CFIing before going directly to one of the better companies. Now he is 6 mos ahead of you on the seniority list, will upgrade before you do, has a smaller risk of being furloughed and maybe has paid off some debt while you were acquiring it with moving expenses, uniform expenses, luggage and flight cases, etc etc. Who made the better decision?

Originally Posted by atooraya

yea, because 12 mos of 1000 hours of cfi'ing in a 172 is MUCH more attractive than 12 mos of 1000 hours of right seat twin turbine for a 121 carrier

and paying off debt? My CFI position didn't pay $22.75/hr, nor did i get jumpseat privileges on airlines of my choosing

Originally Posted by freezingflyboy

Do you know of some airlines that have requirements for 121 time or something? When I was applying to regionals I don't remember seeing 121 time listed in any airlines requirements. If I am missing something I would appreciate it being pointed out to me because somehow I slipped through the cracks and got offers at 3 airlines with 0 hours 121 time.

I do however know of some airlines that have PIC requirements. PIC time makes you marketable anywhere beyond the fact that it makes you a better pilot. I would take the 1000 hours PIC in a 172 or a Seminole over 1000 hours in the right seat and a lateral move ANY day. But I guess you kids with 250 hours who would sucker punch a nun to fly a jet know better than those of us actually in the industry with a couple thousand hours