i've just started the airline gig. Got a job flying for a regional and based in richmond flying the ERJ. This really was my career path was set up when i first decided the pilot route.

But before i did this, i worked for a company out of lake in the hills that did cessna sales, flight instruction, and charter. I got to do all the 91 trips for the charter side flying citation I, II, v's and falcon 10's & 50's. But the best part is i'm only 40 minutes from home if i took that job.

If i get the times that the place wants for minimums (1200 hours, 100+ multi), i may be able to go back, but what happens to my 121 career route? How hard is it to go from 121 to 135 and back?

I'm just asking because the $24,000/yr, sitting on reserve away from home kinda sucks, but i dunno if this would be like "paying my dues" and moving up the ladder. Also, the regional i work at doesn't even have a bridge program.

What would you do?

whats upgrade times at trans states, its decent isnt it? theres definitly a lot to consider. quality of life, are you willing to commute or relocate, do you have a family, etc.

the answer is different for everyone. im single and immature and all i want to do is chase flight attendants and get in with a major airline before im 30. if you have a wifey and kids maybe you dont want that lifestyle who knows. any decisions regarding major life changes are never easy. if you think i dont know what im talking about, i am choosing to make $19 an hour and working 20 days a month in order to get my hours, over making much much much more than that and working about 10 days a month flying military (but only getting about 20 hours a month). so theres always advantages and disadvantages for each, but im sure the corporate guys will tell you how awesome their life is ....

In my opinion, if you want to go airlines, stay in the airlines. If you'd rather go corporate, try to get back to your favorite gig you mentioned, or find another suitable one, and stay with it. Sure, people do go back and forth, but I think it decreases your odds a bit.

upgrade is about 2-3 years here. Not bad at all

I have a gf, and the flight attendants are kinda old or not my type i also have a gf

I guess it'd really depend on where you'd like to see yourself. myself personally, i don't know if i want to find myself in the corporate world or the airline world in several years. I'm now recently engaged and finally beginning to enjoy the 121 world... however, i do know the stresses that airline flying can have on a family life, and think that 135 stuff might work out better in the future. who knows...i do know however that in a couple years i'll be more marketable to any 135 op i look at, as well as more 121 stuff...

ps-gotta love watersking eh? sure know i do.