If you want to separate the men from the boys, go to AMF, if you want to swing the gear and run a check list, go 121.

Wow, kind of a harsh assessment of the industry, from your lofty position!!

You're right, I apologize,but there is something to say about single pilot 135 freight flying.

Also lots to be said for having a crew behind you and with you when you're shooting a CAT IIIb approach, have 250 pax sitting behind you, etc...damn glad to have a pilot sitting to the left or right of you, and most likely in our case, a third/relief pilot looking over your shoulder....damn glad to have a crew!!

But I get your drift...been in that 135 environment (short stint, but I have done it!!).

Good luck.

I went this route, unplanned. I finished flight school at the end of 2007 and began flight instructing at the beginning of 2008. Before I could get on at a regional September 2008 hit and set us all back several years. I ended up flight instructing almost 3,000 hours including some C90 time with the Chinese. In 2011 I went directly into a Metroliner at Key Lime Air. I enjoyed the experience and had little complaints outside the QOL of UPS cargo feeders. I was there a little over a year when I hit my 1000 TPIC (including the C90 time).

I went to the various discount carriers and ran into the same thing everywhere. I was only able to talk to HR reps. They had a checklist of requirements including FMS time, crew time, glass time, etc. After 6+ months of the runaround and unable to get anywhere I ended up going to regional to make my resume more competitive. Now I can't get a call back from those same carriers and I have friends that went the regional route and sat right seat for 2 or 3 years that are getting hired at the majors.

Having reread what I just wrote it sounds very bitter. I'm really not. That was just my experience and I am still plugging away optimistically. My only point is that I chased what I was told and what I thought would help my career; Flight Instruct, TPIC Single Pilot 135, regionals. My advice from my experience is to go to the regionals now. Start building seniority. Don't jump around and chase jobs, pay, experience. Be patient. Also, the process is changing at most airlines. You can no longer have a senior pilot walk your resume in and get an interview. It all goes through HR.

Just my opinion from experience. I know other have had different experiences, better and worse. I hope it gives you a little insight. Best of luck.

Nicely said! I hope your positive attitude rewards you.

If part 121 is your final goal AMF will make no sense.
Just look for a good regional with a good plane a domicile where you live or you want to in case you are assigned and you'll be fine.
If you are in doubt check the webpage of all the major, the only one that still require turbine PIC is Southwest but they also want a 737 type rating that you'll have to pay out of your pocket and with the money you'll make at AMF it will be hard. Fedex takes only part 121 turbine PIC, so once again AMF will be a good professional experience but you'll find your self wasting a year or more of you life.

Swing the gear and read the checklist?
Sounds like you are not even a pilot!
No,
regional FO don't just do that.
They alternate the flying with the Capt. doing exactly the same thing.
So there is absolutely nothing really special in being a single pilot cargo pilot, acting as a PIC and paid less that a SIC.

Nicely done!

I'm sure they don't just do that - - - so why do so many of the FO's even have something similar to 'Gear Monkey' on thier position description or tag line or talk about how easy it is to just sit back and 'swing the gear' on this forum?

Maybe people should stop talking about the profession/the job like it is has easy as pie and others won't think that a 'monkey' could do the job.