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Don't disagree with your post. However getting to any greener pasture right now takes an internal rec. In a better pilot market turboprop time is on par with jet time at most places. The exception being JetBlue (was in '07 anyway) and some of the overseas carriers.Originally Posted by DashGirl
100% true...I timed my upgrade perfectly so I could skip reserve and go straight into a buildup. Otherwise I would have never taken it. Reserve at PDT is pure hell. The fact that despite my more or less decent rapport with training I still think as a whole group the mentality of the training department boarders that of the insanely paranoid! They fail pilots in initial, CQ and upgrade at the drop of a hat for absurd reasons not because they are evil or really even care about you one way or the other, i.e. Mr. T.O. But because they are so utterly paranoid at getting hammered by the FAA for singing off someone that that they deem a weak pilot. But for any senior F/O..if you can't hold a line straight out of upgrade SOE the risk to your career going through upgrade is NOT WORTH IT...Leave, stop racking up useless SIC TP time and go to another regional. You may go straight reserve and year one pay, but you will be flying equipment that will actually have value on your resume and that will open more career doors. I can tell you that with already having over 1000 TPIC, all of it TP between Dashes and King Airs, my resume is still getting "bottomed"..Those who got out...talk to them if you know them...Every single one of them had strong internals...none of them, not KB, not GB not any of them got out with a resume cold submitted. And some of these guys are telling me they are in class with former regional TP F/O's that don't even have an ATP or 1000 PIC becuase they knew the right person. My point, upgrade at PDT is more trouble then it's worth if you go reserve.
When XOJet was hiring several of us applied, all typed in the aircraft. None of us got the call while those with internal recs and no type were getting the nod. It's just the nature of the beast. When / if the economy turns around I think your luck will get a lot better with or without internal recs.