I know quite a few that are applying, I'm sure most in a charter job like me are looking closely at the airlines. I just think that we are an unknown quantity when it comes to training and background.

Even guys in top jobs are applying to the airlines, having a schedule is a huge QOL issue and is what makes the airline career so attractive.

Hey Liberty,

Your ambition and eagerness is great, but I think you are overthinking this.

The majors don't know which flight departments are good and which are bad. They don't know if flying a citation X or GIV is more prestigious. They know total time, PIC time and additional duties AKA director of safety, chief pilot, etc. At the regionals or in the military they are more opportunities to put extra stuff on your resume. Even trivial "special projects" stuff counts.

I think that the 121 badge would help, but an additional title at your current job would be as beneficial, even if it's unpaid.

My $.02

My experience is many 121 hiring folks have zero idea what the difference in capability is between, say, a Citation XLS and a Falcon 2000EX.

The difference between the two..Oh about $600 per day for contract work. :D

Perhaps, but I know of a few other guys in my position that did the same move and were hired shortly after getting current 121 experience. I also am hearing that a lot of guys coming out of the military that were not getting calls finally received invites after flying for a regional. I'm don't feel like it's beneath me, just got to play the game if I want in. I always have the option of returning to corporate/charter at similar pay from where I left off but I have limited time to make a good career out of the airlines.

But you better make sure the hiring folks can find some info on your flight department on the interwebz or they may think twice about calling you. 😉

Of course, ALPA forgets about the [corporate/fractional/charter] 91/135 guys in their charts as ALPA thinks that the only civilian pilots are ex-ERAU, current Part 121 pukes.

My new hire [Continental] class in 2007 had quite a few 91/135 guys in it. Not sure why everyone thinks that 135 guys don't have college degrees :cool:

Who knows, but it's not an ALPA thing. The only time ALPA was involved in hiring was encouraging MEC's to help laid-off ALPA members with job interviews.

As far as the military/civilian/121/135/91 thing, it's always been airline specific. Usually the quality of the airline dictates the pool and the quality of the hires but when times get tough anything goes.

LOL. Like in 1985.

Yes, the 570 were likely some of the best hired at UAL. As it turns out many from that group will have long careers at United. With the FAA age changes, quiet a few will have 40+ years and dominating the top of the seniority list for some time. :D