To stay or go?
 

Hello All,
I currently work for a Part 135 VFR operator. I've been there for about 2 years. I fly small singles and twins for the most part. I flight instructed for a year prior to this. I currently have about 2100TT and about 500 multi.
We also have a charter side of the company which operates 3 cheyennes and a King Air. I have the opportunity to get into the Cheyenne (PIC turbine) but I have to give them a 2 year contract. The QOL is pretty good (few overnights). The pay is kinda low, only around $40,000 - $45,000 a year and raises are few and far between. I would like to eventually fly for a major (Hopefully Continental mainline).
I'm not sure if the right move is to go to a regional, (I would like to go to Expressjet if I do) or stay where I'm at and build PIC turbine right away?
If I went to a regional I know I would take a pay cut at first and I would most likely move to my base to avoid commuting.
Thinking ahead, what would a major like more? Part 135 PIC turbine in a Cheyenne, or Part 121 time as SIC turbine.
Any comments are welcome, I've been debating back and forth what is best and I just need some other opinions.

Thanks,
Ken

Get the PIC turbine time. Many folks here will tell you that SIC time is worthless. I wouldn't go that far, but it and $7 will buy you a beer at an NFL game. After you get a ton of PIC turbine, you can go to a regional to get your SIC turbine if you like.

Is it possible to go to the majors with just Part 135 PIC turbine time and no Part 121 time?

Thanks,
Ken

Do you guys consider a Merlin a turbine or no? I've always put it in my logbook as Twin Turbo Prop. Is that accurate or not?

Yes, it is very possible and I have heard of many doing it. But... Majors prefer 121 experience. It's a whole different world of flying, and they prefer that you know the workings some what before you go.


Toilet Duck: Turn down your IPOD, it's hurting your brain. YES your Merlin is a TurboProp.... So YES you can log it as Multi Turbine PIC.