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)...

Having King Air and turbine time most likely sealed the deal for you...since they figure you'll breeze through class just fine...

If you are considering Ameriflight make sure you get the 99 and don't leave until you have 1000 TPIC. If you go to go to a regional now it will take many years for you to get that time. If you get if right off the bat then you will be in much better shape when it comes to getting a job at the majors down the line. Assuming that is what you want.

TSA would interview you. You should apply. Maybe not fancy new jets but growth, diverse bases and good pay.

Such horrible advice. People are leaving in drones for regionals. Including myself. While it was good experience, pilots aren't leaving ameriflight and going to United.

I just reread my post and it looks like I was not clear with what I was saying. I meant to say go to Ameriflight. Get your 1000 TPIC then go to a regional and check the 121 box. Then patiently wait to get a call from a major. You will want the 121 time but at least you have your turbine pic already done. At that point you won't need to worry about when your upgrade is coming or even if your airline shuts down forcing you to start over. It becomes much more about quality of life at that point. Looking back I wish this is the route I took. Again, sorry for not elaborating in my previous post.

Yeah, that's what some pilots are doing. Your QOL will be better at a regional than AMF. And with a number of regionals with upgrade times of 2 years or less, I don't see why pilots would choose freight over getting senority....take it FWIW, my 121 industry knowledge is limited, I'm just giving my .02 of AMF.

I do agree with what you saying however look at it like this. Seniority matters if you need it to matter (i.e. need the upgrade). I look at an operation like ameriflight as a way to get the need upgrade out of the way by getting the TPIC out of the way first.

In order to upgrade at regional you need to have ~50% of the seniority list behind you. With pilot supply dwindling it may take a while to get to that 50% mark. It all depends on the airline you choose and a little luck.

Overall the QOL at regionals is not that great unless you live in base.

Interesting... I know a dozen or so guys that have been hired to the majors with 0 Turbine PIC time. I think the turbine PIC matters in commuter category aircraft otherwise, everyone with caravan time would be at a major.

Coming of Active Duty Military
 

I am active duty military and meet the ATP-R requirements.

Question: How far out from separation would be too early to apply to a regional? Does the 6 months out figure mentioned earlier still apply?

since you need 750, i would apply when you get about 600-650TT range

Too early to apply to regionals?
 

Don't overthink it - just apply and re-apply. They are "all" interested as long as nothing in your past is "out of the ordinary." PS-live in base or move to base.

I am in the same boat.. About 825 TT time and I just talked to few recruiters of regionals and all of them told me around 1,200 to 1,300 I gonna be able to apply that means and average of 6 months to reach the ATP minimum. So I have to continue building my time where I'm currently working 135 cargo in Puerto Rico.

I posted some really good advice earlier. Too bad the moderator removed it.

The regionals are desperate right now. I think 3 months would give you plenty of time to make a seamless transition.

A variable that I am unfamiliar with is the new law affecting the ATP written. It is now much more labor intensive (expensive and time consuming) to get that accomplished. As far as I know only 1 regional has a program in place that makes it part of your initial training. If you already have that done then you're 1 step ahead.