Too early to apply to regionals?
 

Hello all,

I'm at 900/1500 TT for the ATP. Is it too early to start applying to my choice of regionals?

Thanks in advance!

I would say that any earlier than 3 months before you hit the ATP minimums would be a little too early. Some will accept applications at 6 months, but most prefer 3 months. I guess that it depends on how much you are flying each month.

Out of curiosity where are you thinking of applying and why?

Thanks for the replies. SkyWest and Compass for various reasons. Mostly equipment and/or bases for each.

I second this. I'm flying 90-100 hours a month and just to see what would happen I applied to one at 1150 TT (taking into consideration interview would be 2-4 weeks away with class date being 3 months away) and they told me to re-apply once I hit 1300 TT or was 2 months away from reaching ATP mins.

I think there's only 1 regional which will extend an interview to you with your current totals (albeit no class date till you reach mins), and that's Envoy. (they say if you are within 12 months of mins).

Just fly your ass off....they'll still all be there when you get to mins...

Depending on how much you are currently flying per month (if it's less than 60 hours) I'd recommend you get on with Ameriflight at 1200 TT where you'll build multi time really quick and then apply for the regional of your choice.

How long is training at Ameriflight? The time it takes to get trained up to fly the line could be used to build total time. It's only a 300 hr difference and if he has what ever the multi mins are, building extra multi time just doesn't matter in this economy.

It's crazy the see the difference from 15-20 years ago. Went from next to impossible to get a regional job (even an PFT places) to airlines begging for pilots to come abord.

Doesn't Ameriflight have a training contract that would have to be paid if you leave early? ....plus you would waste at least a month in class where you are not flying (indoc, systems, sims).

Compass within the last year has interviewed people and given offers to CFI's with less than 500 hours. I'm sitting around 870(I meet 1000 R-ATP qualifications) and applied and have an interview (with another carrier). But same goes for Skywest, I know people are getting conditional offers from both, whats the worst that can happen, you apply and they say try again later when you have time. Regionals are giving offers like hot cakes lately.

I was offered (and accepted) a class date with PSA while I sat 285 hours shy of my ATP minimums. I fly close to 100 hours a month, so they offered me a class date, though told me most people in my position only get a conditional offer of employment and not a class date offer. Guess I was lucky.

They do....but I have a few friends here that have left after 6-8 months and Ameriflight didn't care.....and yes, you may waste a month, but people flying there are logging 80-90 hours a month....of Twin time (some TPIC if you get the Beech 99) so, for the CFI who's only logging say 40-60 hours a month, it could be worth it.

Furthermore, some regionals like Compass usually won't look at you unless you have previous 121/135 time.....(and I am of course only speaking for people that want to stay on the west coast)...