Oh it's EAS passenger routes, that explains it. They may not even be 135. I still see no need for an FO on an unpressurized piston twin but it has been done that way historically. I wonder if people boarding these flights have any idea how old and outdated these Navajos are.

Does the training contract mean you pay that money up front and it is paid back to you over time in your salary, or does it mean that you would owe them that money if you quit before the contract term is up?

Because there is now way I'm paying 10 grand to make $12/hour. Who has that kind of up front cash?

It is now 5K, and you pay it upfront and it is not repaid. Hence why they are getting no one.

I was offered a class date with Sun Air Express up in PA. Navajos. Requires me to pay $10,000 for training, $2,500 of which can be deducted from pay.

Covers 6 or 7 flying hours and a 2 hour FAA checkride.

That's $7,500 up front to begin training. All to make $12.50 per block hour as an FO. captains start at 55k. Not bad. I'd get there at 135 IFR mins. (1200 hours)

I know pay for training type FO programs are frowned upon, but it is a job offer and it's multi time.

I'm not a CFI and don't plan on becoming one so my options are very limited.

Should I bite the bullet and view it as an investment in my future, or sit tight and wait for something better?

Wait for something better. You'd do better going to Cape Air or Ameriflight. Or you could spend that 10 grand on your CFI.

That's my initial reaction, but my TT is only 290. 40 multI. I doubt cape would pick me up. I'm waiting on star marianas and mokulele airlines in HI.

Find out how long Sun Air's contract is before you sign, or pay for anything. I think it's public info. because they're getting Federal dollars.

Does anyone have any information on where the pilots are usually based?

$50k for a PIC sounds appealing... but that compensation for the FOs is not so stellar. Do they make FO training cost exceptions for those with time in type and close to 135 PIC mins?

Me:
1000 TT
200 AMEL
150 in Navajos

I have an interview with Cape Air coming up shortly, but this opportunity is pretty close to home... especially if they have pilots out of Lancaster, PA.

And thanks again guys for all of the great information. It's very much appreciated.

Pittsburgh is their main base now and is probably where they are hiring for as they are trying to expand service here but have had to tone down the routes because of delays, presumably in getting enough pilots to fly them all.

Star won't touch you. I'm at 1160/115 and 29 turbine and they said they require all pilots to have their Cfi when I did my Skype interview with them.