Airline Pilot Central Forums - Is TSA the best airline for me?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigherc916 (Post 2895776)

I’m currently about 5 months from reaching ATP Mins. I’m looking to reach 1,000 turbine PIC as quickly as possible, regardless of QOL/pay. I’m single and have no family/financial obligations other than rent/food. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make it to a Legacy carrier within the next 3-6 years. Is TSA the best airline to work for if career progression is my main priority? I currently have offers from EDV/PSA/REPUBLIC.

Okay, let’s do a little math here....if you go the PSA route.

-5 months before an airline will even hire you.
-3 months before you’re even qualified to fly on the line.
-Currently, new hires on property are looking at 10-12 months on Reserve, flying maybe an average of 50 hours a month while on reserve. 2.5 years is a pretty fair estimate at the moment before you have your 1000 hours 121 time before you’re eligible to upgrade. A little less by a few months if Scheduling keeps you busy.
- Upgrade takes around 2 months for the whole process.
- 1000 hours of Turbine PIC time will take you right around 2 years. In order to flow here, you must be a Captain for 2 years.
- Legacies like to see that you’re doing more than just flying an airplane to distinguish yourself from everybody else. So, plan on doing things like serving on a union committee or recruiting. The downside is that while you’re doing that, you’re not flying building those hours. So, add maybe 6 months on for fudge factor to account for doing union or company business where flying isn’t part of what you’re doing at that moment.

PSA- Just to get that 1000 hours of TPIC time you want, 5 years and change is a ballpark estimate. Chances are pretty good that within that 5 years, more and more airlines are not going to require 1000 hours of TPIC to get hired on. That’s not saying for certain, but the winds seem to be blowing in that direction.

Hope that helps.