I totally agree. The best time in the book is 121 PIC multi-turbine, as far as the 121 world is concerned. I don't think 1.5 years right seat at Lakes is much better than 1.5 years left seat at Flight Express, though, as far as career progression is concerned. Does anyone have any experiences where a bunch of SIC-turbine led to a better job than a bunch of PIC multi-piston would have? I'm curious now.

im 21 and at lakes and its awesome... denver is legit and the mountains are dumpin snow usually which makes for some good shred dawgin... woof woof woof!

Great Lakes, without a doubt. 121 turbine time is still turbine time and when it all boils down to it for airlines, it's more important than piston pic. 1.5 years is just right time needed to mature for the left seat. Now I'm sure you understand that with no college degree it will be very hard to find a major job.

I have to disagree with you a bit here. I certainly agree that turbine PIC is more highly valued than piston PIC, but turbine SIC? PIC is PIC any way you slice it, and while turbine SIC can give you good experience, you're simply not signing for the airplane. A large amount of PIC time looks great on a resume, even if it's in a piston aircraft. The type of operation (say, Part 135) can make a good deal of difference too.

Who would you rather hire?

- An applicant with 4000TT, including 3500 turbine SIC

or

- An applicant with 4000TT, 2500 Part 135 piston PIC, and 1000 turbine SIC

Personally? I think he should go to Flight Express. Not only will the pay be much better, the experience of single-pilot flying is second to none.

Well Said!

Good point. However, you aren't the one hiring. After 3 years at Flight Express you can get a job at a regional. After 3 years at Great Lakes (and making captain after 1.5 years) you can go anywhere.

I flew at Flight Express and while you'll get more time off, you'll actually have less of a life. It's hard to meet girls when you get off at 5am and have no real co-workers. While Great Lakes isn't a great job, it meets the requirements for moving on to bigger and better things and Denver is a great city filled with fun people and things to do.

As an ex FLX guy I can say I would recommend FLX to start off, and then when the regional stuff takes off again jump ship to go to a good regional/corp job.

Just don't be suprised if 8 months doesn't hold up for the upgrade. I was told 6 months when I started and it ended up being over a year in the 210.

Interview em both and choose the one who isn't as much of a tool. They both would have good quals for an interview and after that it's them as a person....

What is there to think about until Monday? Tell Flight Express you'll take the job. Interview with Great Lakes, if you get hired then make a decision. The real question isn't which job to take, but rather whether you should gamble on turning down a job in this economy.

That's a very valid point, and when the times are good and you can get a quick upgrade I don't know anyone who'd turn that down. But if times are tough and you sit at the bottom of the list as an FO for a long stretch and end up with a furlough letter, where are you then?

That was my problem. I got into an RJ with 900 hours and racked up a decent amount of turbine SIC, only to get a furlough letter. When I hit the street there were 37000 other people with just as much, if not more, turbine SIC than I had. Hell, I'd say every 1 in 3 people you meet walking down the street have some turbine SIC from something. It just doesn't separate you from the pack. Guys with a bunch of turbine SIC are a dime a dozen.

Here's where I think the OP can stand out a bit: at 21, things can change in the next 2 years before he's eligible for upgrade. If he does lose his seat between now and then he's not left with anything that makes him any different than anyone else. What can make him stand out on a resume is a solid amount of 135 PIC now, then in a couple years when he can qualify for an ATP he'll be able to rack up as much turbine SIC (and eventually PIC) as he can get, knowing that he has a well-rounded resume.

JMHO.