Airline Pilot Central Forums - Switch to 135 TPIC or continue 121 SIC....

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- - Switch to 135 TPIC or continue 121 SIC.... (https://www.airlinepilotforums.com/united/123064-switch-135-tpic-continue-121-sic.html)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmm123 (Post 2858202)

The last meet and greet I sat in on it sure sounded like at least 1000TPIC was the norm. I don't have any numbers per each class just what I have heard from CP and people running TK. Probably does not include the interns and son's and daughters routine that I hear about. JMO

So, take 135 TPIC jet time now... or wait it out to get 121 TPIC jet time?

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Originally Posted by mmm123 (Post 2858202)

Norm, always exceptions.

I know 2 (I didn’t set up the m&g) that did CP M&G’s that didn’t have any TPIC.

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Originally Posted by DisposableAcct (Post 2858245)

So, take 135 TPIC jet time now... or wait it out to get 121 TPIC jet time?

A good friend of mine has a few thousand hours of 135/91 TPIC. It wasn’t until he took a job at a 121 LCC and built time there that he got a call from United. He got hired at UA with about 6,000TT, 2500 TPIC (135), and 1500 121 SIC.

I’m also acquaintances with some recruiters from different airlines. They will all tell you the same. If you want to fly 121, stay in 121. Diversify your resume with volunteer time and extracurricular endeavors. There are ways and opportunities to stand out. If your goal is a good 135 or one of those diamond in the rough corporate flight department jobs, then by all means go fly 135 and 91. Getting 135 TPIC isn’t going to do for you what you think it will if your goal is to fly for a legacy airline.

That’s just my experience and the experience of many I know. Most of the people I knew from 135/91 eventually “bit the bullet” and went to 121 regionals or LCCs. It was an initial pay cut but by year 2 at an LCC they’re making comparable pay and by the time they upgrade to Captain at their regional they’re doing just fine financially. If upgrade isn’t looking likely any time soon at your regional think about making the jump to an LCC.

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Originally Posted by chrisreedrules (Post 2859154)

If upgrade isn’t looking likely any time soon at your regional think about making the jump to an LCC.

Would it not make more sense to just change regionals to somewhere taking street captains? I’m not really seeing how additional 121 sic time would build the resume.

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Originally Posted by DisposableAcct (Post 2859724)

Would it not make more sense to just change regionals to somewhere taking street captains? I’m not really seeing how additional 121 sic time would build the resume.

Bingo! We have a winner.

There's a reason that LLC's hire 121 pilots with low (or zero) PIC time. They're more likely to stick around longer.

If JetBlue or Spirt is one's "dream job," go for it.

I see many ads on this UPC site for immediate 121 Captain upgrades at Air Wisconsin, and probably other places.

See if you qualify.

Joe

Quote:

Originally Posted by DisposableAcct (Post 2859724)

Would it not make more sense to just change regionals to somewhere taking street captains? I’m not really seeing how additional 121 sic time would build the resume.

You just said it. You need 121 TPIC to stand out. The above strategy has worked for several of my friends. They left their regionals where the future/outlook for furthering their resumes by earning TPIC wasn’t looking too hot. And they went to regionals with either DEC or near-DEC programs. Took about 3-4 years but a bunch of them have moved on to legacy carriers and a few to FedEx.