Part 135 to major....

[k2774]

I know that anything is possible, but how frequently do you think majors hire individuals from a pt 135 operation?

 

[dojetdriver]

I know that anything is possible, but how frequently do you think majors hire individuals from a pt 135 operation?

I would say not often. And if a guy is hired from 135 to a major, there were probably a couple things involved. 1. Highly connected, lots of recs or a rec from somebody high up 2. Extremely qualified, lots of time as well as large 135 time. Like a G4/5 or Global Express flying international 3. Both. The job market is tough. Demand for the labor of skilled pilots is relatively low, supply of skilled pilots is high.

Airline will hire from a broad spectrum, Military, prior 121, 135, ect. But one thing has ALWAYS been true. Airlines like to hire airline pilots.

I know, somebody will chime in with "I know a guy that got hire be XYZ and all he ever flew was a kingair."

 

[frmrBUFFdrvr]

I know that anything is possible, but how frequently do you think majors hire individuals from a pt 135 operation?

The answer is mixed because there is no standard part 135 operator. If you are flying for an operation that only flys piston twins or single engine turbine, I would say your odds are very low. But if you are with an operator who has larger turbine ME aircraft, your odds are much better. Being an Ameriflight pilot, I know our stats best. And I know several guys who have gone to major airlines. All the ones I know have been flying SA227 or E120 aircraft.

No matter what, the comment on the previous post about lots of recs is going to be true no matter what you are flying. Considering how many technically qualified pilots there are, who you know becomes much more important.

 

[Sgt. Hartman]

Companies like AirNet and Ameriflight are a completely different breed of 135 operators versus your local FBO with one CJ2 on a charter certificate. Now I'm not saying that one set of pilots are better than the other(<----- that's my disclaimer) but companies like that are pretty much like flying 121 without having to contact "ramp tower".

Bottom line is that pilots are pilots and I don't think that one group is better than another as a whole. Individuals may be better than other individuals but that is a discussion for a whole other time that most people (myself included) really don't want to get into.

 

[brokeflyer]

I was offered a job with NWA flying 135 but they couldnt match my salary.

 

[RedDogC130]

I started my flying at a 135 operator flying Lears. All of my time execpt about 10-15% is with that company. I went to fly in the Guard on the C-130 but that only accounts for about 500 hours max. So minus the little mil time I have, I would say it is possible to go from a 135 operator to a big airline. Another guy in my class here at SWA was from Flight Options and nothing else. He is a great guy and that is why he got the job, not the aircraft he was flying. An airline can teach a person to fly the plane the way they want but they can't teach someone not to be an a-hole.

 

[kilroy]

A buddy of mine I wrote a LOR for got in to SWA with zero 121 time all 135 nothing else.

 

[texarkana]

Get time in turbine equipment then make some important friends

 

[CMI]

I would say not often. And if a guy is hired from 135 to a major, there were probably a couple things involved. 1. Highly connected, lots of recs or a rec from somebody high up 2. Extremely qualified, lots of time as well as large 135 time. Like a G4/5 or Global Express flying international 3. Both. The job market is tough. Demand for the labor of skilled pilots is relatively low, supply of skilled pilots is high.

Airline will hire from a broad spectrum, Military, prior 121, 135, ect. But one thing has ALWAYS been true. Airlines like to hire airline pilots.

I know, somebody will chime in with "I know a guy that got hire be XYZ and all he ever flew was a kingair."

haha! Regional sucker. Airlines like to hire good pilots with internal recommendations. No one gives a Fu*k where you got your turbine time. I have run into guys at majors that were 91 corporate, 135 cargo, and a lot more were military. I know four guys that were freight dogs that just got hired at Spirit. Seems the chief at Spirit use to be a freight dog.

 

[dojetdriver]

haha! Regional sucker. Airlines like to hire good pilots with internal recommendations. No one gives a Fu*k where you got your turbine time. I have run into guys at majors that were 91 corporate, 135 cargo, and a lot more were military. I know four guys that were freight dogs that just got hired at Spirit. Seems the chief at Spirit use to be a freight dog.

Wow dude, you sure read alot into that. I never said it can't be done, just not all that common for a guy with ABSOLUTELY no connections to get a job at a major flying 135 ONLY. Especially if it's a 135 that is small and relatively unheard of. A well known fractional, sure. A large 135 cargo outfit like Amflight, sure. Like I said, the supply is huge, the demand is low. If you were to do a rundown of the "majors" new class demographics, how many 135 only guys are in there? Yeah, a few. But not as many as guys with 121/military time. I never said a 135 guy is less of a pilot than a 121 pilot.

Is Spirit considered a "major".

Switch to de-caf, "sucker".

 

[Hawkster54]

But I though there's a rule that in order to accomplish anything worthwhile in the aviation industry you have to fly 121? (sarcasm)

 

[CMI]

But I though there's a rule that in order to accomplish anything worthwhile in the aviation industry you have to fly 121? (sarcasm)

Only if you are 121 dumbjetdriver. :laugh:

 

[dojetdriver]

Only if you are 121 dumbjetdriver. :laugh:

Wow, good one! Keep them coming! Name calling, always the sign of upmost maturity. Read what I wrote again. I never put anybody down, just stating some realities of the job market.

Again, educate me. Is Spirit classified as a major?

http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2006/bts029_06/html/bts029_06.html#table_07

First quarter only shows $114,800,000 for 2006. Seriously doubt they bridged the gap to 1 billion in the following quarters. Not picking on Spirit, but you brought them up.

That was the original question. 135 to major.

 

[DrProc]

Wow, good one! Keep them coming! Name calling, always the sign of upmost maturity. Read what I wrote again. I never put anybody down, just stating some realities of the job market.

Again, educate me. Is Spirit classified as a major?

http://www.bts.gov/press_releases/2006/bts029_06/html/bts029_06.html#table_07

First quarter only shows $114,800,000 for 2006. Seriously doubt they bridged the gap to 1 billion in the following quarters. Not picking on Spirit, but you brought them up.

That was the original question. 135 to major.

Well, if you are going to classify a major like that, then yes a lot of people have gotten into Skywest, Comair, AE, which are all majors by your definition. I think the original poster meant companies like Southwest, FedEx, Delta, Continental. What bean counters consider majors are not necessarily what pilots consider majors.

 

[RightTraffic]

Two guys just left my company for Spirit and one guy left to Florida West (767s) and none of them had any jet time. All part 135 SA227 and SF340. It really comes down to who knows you!

 

[dojetdriver]

Well, if you are going to classify a major like that, then yes a lot of people have gotten into Skywest, Comair, AE, which are all majors by your definition. I think the original poster meant companies like Southwest, FedEx, Delta, Continental. What bean counters consider majors are not necessarily what pilots consider majors.

It's not MY defintion, it's what the DOT classifies as a MAJOR. If what his name had a friend get on a Spririt from 135, great for him. I'm happy. DOT doesn't classify Spirit as a major, would you?

 

[Freight Dog]

By DOT definition, American Eagle is a major. I think we'd all disagree with notion considering Eagle a major airline.

I think it's more along the lines of equipment/pay/work rules/retirement.

 

[DrProc]

It's not MY defintion, it's what the DOT classifies as a MAJOR. If what his name had a friend get on a Spririt from 135, great for him. I'm happy. DOT doesn't classify Spirit as a major, would you?

No, Spirit isn't a major but it is a step up from Eagle or Skywest most pilots would agree, although you and the DOT don't agree.

 

[landlover]

happens all the time, jet pic is the trump card!

 

[dojetdriver]

happens all the time, jet pic is the trump card!

Careful, some guys flying 135 turbo prop on here might get their fragile ego's bruised. Then resort to calling you names like "dumblover" or something.