"If want to go 121, go 121" is a complete falicy. That USED to be the case, Majors REQUIRED 1000 121 PIC tim to even look at an application, otherwise if you had 135 time you needed to go to a regional. That is no longer the case. They are hiring more from 135 than they ever have because they cant keep depleting their regional partners.

"she is likely to build hours sooner"- another falicy. From CJO to training is around 1-2 months max at 135s (I was 2 weeks from CJO), Regionals are currently at 6+months. Training footprint is about 1 month at 135 and 6 weeks at 121. When you start to add up the delays, you will be 3-4 months into your flying at a 135 before you touch a 121 airplane. Also upgrades are arounf 6 months (from START of training) so 2 months after you started to fly the line at a 121, had you went 135, you would be ready to upgrade at most and be logging TPIC time. Once you hit 2000 hours, most majors are looking at you, include the TPIC time you get at 135s and you are way more competitive.

Really appreciate the response- great info!

Are ANY fractionals taking a low time new hire, especially a CFI ‘only’, and upgrading them to TPIC in 6 months? What’s the minimum requirements? Will they upgrade a new hire SIC in 6 months who got hired with 1500 TT and 50 hrs MEL recip? At 6 months they’ll gave another 200-250 hrs TT/TSIC.

Here’s a Part 135 OTS (off the street) PIC minimums -
Certificate Type: ATP Required for PIC – ATP Written Required for SIC -

PIC:

Total Time: 3,000

Pilot In Command: 1,500

Multi Engine: 2,500

Multi Engine PIC: 1,500

Turbine Time: 2,000

’In house’ minimums has to be different because a new hire SIC who doesn’t meet the PIC/TPIC requirements will NEVER get the PIC/TPIC requirements while flying there as a SIC.

yes;
ATP mins;
yes

Absolutely. Flex will take you provided you have ATP/CTP and written complete, and they will issue your ATP cert on your type ride. Once you're in, your upgrade to Phenom captain is determined by hire date only, and running about 7-8 months right now. So with CTP/written done, if you can pass the phone screen, HR, and sim eval, come on over and have at it.

Insanely true. Didn't plan to leave fractional, but when I decided to, all this was crystal clear in hindsight. Zero 121 time, Flex captain; all legacies + SWA asked to interview. 2/2 so far, more to go. So let that be an encouragement for those thinking of trying the fractional side. And if everything slowed down, I personally feel being at Flex or NJA is better than slowing down at a regional, by a fair margin.

To be clear- I am adding 91k into "135". So Flex, NJ and even FlyExclusive will hire fresh at 1500 hrs.

Were you not worried about golden handcuffs?

They'll hire you at 1500 TT and upgrade you to Phenom CA at 1700-1800 TT? Assuming 2 months in training and flying 500 hrs a year. Wow.

Yes, IF you get hired, you can upgrade to Phenom CA in 6-7 months regardless of the fleet your were originally assigned (Cuhallenger FO-Phenom CA at 6-7 months). Its based on seniority. I would say you will be flying more thaan 500 hrs per year. I would say, getting a job at Flex and NJ is going to be a little harder. If you are at 1500hrs, zero turbine time, you better have excellent skills in the sim but we did have 2 out of about 18 guys in our class who did exactly that. Flex is hiring like crazy but you better do more than fog a mirror!