Which route?
 

Haven't really been keeping up with what the FW 121 side has been up to lately. I am currently flying helicopter ems and have about 2100TT with about 325 airplane and 15 multi. I realize I need more multi, but otherwise, how would I qualify for a regional job? How does the new ATP rules apply to someone like myself? What does the career progression look like nowadays? Last I knew, which was several years ago, the upgrade time was a long road and the majors weren't hiring at all. Just looking at maybe jumping over to the fixed wing side if something happened to my current gig. BTW, current pay is about 65k per year now. When could I expect to be back in that range with a 121 job? Thanks guys!

Do you have ATP written done? And minus the 10 hours of actual multi remaining (count 25 in the initial sim for the 50 reqd) do you have the other ATP mins? Upgrade is anywhere from 12-24 months by the time you get on with the quicker ones, a little longer for some of the other companies. Expect 20-30k, then 30-60k depending on when you upgrade for years 1 and 2 depending on the company. 65k is 3-5 years away assuming you upgrade. Majors will be hiring a lot though so this will all change in a few years. Regional pilot applicsnt pool is pretty dry, and will get further eroded by attrition in the coming years.

I do not have the written done, but do meet the rest of the req I am pretty sure, due to the amt of RW time I can count.

Do the regionals look at helo time the same way as fixed wing?

At the Majors level rotary time is largely ignored it seems.

I was recently hired with the fixed wing minimums for the ATP. I too flew EMS and I had quite a few opportunities with the regionals available. This biggest deal for will probably be the written, but there are a couple companies that offer it in their training. If it is something you are truly interested you should have no problems. Maybe get some multi time if you haven't flown fixed wing recently. I flew the EC-145 and did alot of PT xfers in weather so I was up to speed on IFR flying. If you were flying VFR study up on the instrument flying. Other than that good luck man.

Think I may have heard you over on the JH site. With Medtrans right? Coming from the helicopter side myself, I've been anticipating the jump to the regionals also. Curious if you have you ATP-R. Reason I ask is the add-on was pretty straight forward when I did it. Although that was years ago. And considering my measly 1000hrs of fixed wing time, the response from the regionals have been somewhat favorable. For the price of an Airapps subscription, it's worth throwing your name in the hat. You may be surprised. A lot of hiring going on. Best of luck-DL

After you sit in the right seat for 9 years you will upgrade. Then you should be back to making around $65k.

That's not me, but I need to go over there and check it out. I am flying as350 in Tn for a small outfit. I don't have my ATP-R, although the I habe been studying the written, and the company offers the checkride for it. If I may ask, what is your main motivation for moving over to fw side? What is your thoughts on giving up the 7/7 schedule? I would have to commute to a regional base because there isnt one nearby me, and I don't want to move. Did enough of that flying helos! Have you decided which company you are going with? I am at a loss trying to decide which one might be the best option.

Bulk of my time was VFR helos. Airline flying wasn't a difficult transition. I think gojet, xjt, and skw cover the cost of training or provide it in initial for atp written. It's not just a test anymore. Check the new requirements.

Most regionals will take helo time if other atp mins are met. Most majors do as well, though it's not as favored as say heavy c17 time. AA doesn't have a min FW time listed, UAL and DAL take rw time but still require 1000 fw turbine hours. JBLU takes rw time. The only one who likes to crap on RW time is SWA.

Also, a 7/7 schedule would be nice, especially one you can drive to. Commuting to reserve is the worst feeling ever, especially not getting used. But, it's not forever and living in base I am home more nights than I am not. But, I like going places and seeing things, and now is a good time to get into the fw side with all the retirements ahead. Pay and QOL seem to be better at the top end of the airline gigs. And I've buried a lot of friends from helo crashes. None from planes so far. If this doesn't work out, I may go back to helos. But I think the future is good for people getting into the 121 world right now.