hmm, oh well
This debate gets so old, but I have to weigh in.
I recently did a search of the top posters on this board. What I found was that this board is, in fact, a VERY small world. There are lots of registered users, but it is a very SMALL percentage that make up the majority of the posts. So? The opinions expressed here are NOT reflective, necessarily, of those of pilots on hiring boards at the major airlines. Having said that, examine the following scenario:
Two pilots are waiting for their interviews at (fill in blank with DAL, UAL, whatever). They are discussing the usual stuff, and it goes something like this.
Dude: So, what's you're background?
Guy: I was at (blank-Comair, Skyway, Mesa, whatever) for about 5 years. Before that I was a flight instructor. You?
Dude: I was a CFI, too, did some flying with a cargo outfit to build my multi time and experience, then got on with (blank). That was 4 years ago.
Guy: I wish I could've got a cargo job. I ended up instructing for almost 3 years before getting the call.
Dude: I only worked as a CFI for a year. Great experience, but I needed to build my multi time, and where I was at, it was almost impossible. That's why I did the cargo thing. Cost me a ton in loans, but in the long run, it'll get me the seniority I want faster.
ok, same situation for both, right? who knows who'll get the major gig. They're equally qualified. The difference is how long it took each to get there. In the end, it's a matter of years at a major and seniority. Let's look back in time, though, at how they arrived here.
Dude: took out loans, worked hard, made lots of sacrfices of his time, his families time and resources, and got all his instructor ratings. Taught for about a year, then came up against the same problem most do-can't get the job without the time, can't get the time without the job. He took out another loan to fly right seat in a cargo turbine for 250 hours. Got TONS of real world, real weather, real ATC, real LIFE experience that comes with slugging it out in the soup. This experience, though a financial sacrifice, got him more ready for his first 121 job on an RJ. While it was tough to take out more loans, this experience was invaluable and it got him there probably at least a year faster than had he stayed instructing in a Travelair, maybe more.
Guy: took out loans, worked hard, made lots of sacrfices of his time, his families time and resources, and got all his instructor ratings. Taught for about a year, then came up against the same problem most do-can't get the job without the time, can't get the time without the job. Kept at it, and over the next year and a half was able to instruct about 140 hours in a twin. Had a hard time getting interviewed, but finally did and made it to class. Was blown away by turbine systems, but worked hard and made it. Wished he had some turbine experience in real world weather, ATC, etc.
bottom line? IT'S THE EXPERIENCE THAT COUNTS!! I've asked every major airline pilot I know and tons of regional guys, and the consensus is this: Get your time wherever and however you can, the more multi and turbine time, the better. What it all come down to in the end is SENIORITY-it's your pay, your schedule, your equipment. Whoever gets it first wins. Each day, week, month you let go by, someone else is getting it. And that someone else will have Christmas off, will not have to work Thanksgiving, their kid's birthday, etc. Getting the most experience that you can that most resembles the job you want is key.
I guess I've gone on enough. I understand the complaint of some in regards to PFT, but so many are just versions of sour grapes. 'He had more money than me, and that's why he got the job-wah wah wah!' Welcome to the real world. I think most people, folks on this board included, want to get the most experience they can for the least money and arrive at their airline of choice as fast as possible. The idea of buying 250 hours in turbine equipment sounds, to me, like money well spent. And I, like others, don't have it and can't get it from relatives. If I did that, it'd mean another loan. But, in the long run, it could mean achieving my career goals faster and allowing me to do the things I want to do. It's a race to get a number, in the end.
Not all guys who choose to pay 15K for 250 multi hours are scabs, whores, or whatever else you want to call it. Lots are guys with families, bills, etc., and are just trying to build their time and experience so that they can achieve what they set out to do.
I have yet to hear from ANYONE who say 'I interview people at XYZ airline, and I spit in the face of anyone who paid for time. I have heard TONS of comments, however, to the effect of what I've said above: the airlines are as interested in quality of time as much as quantity. Get all the quality time you can, as soon as you can.
Laying myself out in the open to get flamed, I know. Save it. All the points are made above (lots by people who do not fly for an airline and never have). I am well versed in the value judgements placed on this topic, no need for ya'll to review. Think about though. Who between Dude and Guy got the job first at the regional? Dude, who bought a ton of turbine hours, and therefore made his career progress faster. Who is a better pilot? who knows, the interviewers and the sim will tell. Who made the most use of his time and resources to get to this point? Dude, at great risk financially maybe, but he worked it out.
I hope this is taken in the spirit intended. I think that there are lots of ways to get to where you want to in this business. If you're like me, though, I think it's a quality of life issue. Having a higher seniority number makes my quality of life better, puts me first in line to fly more complex equipment, etc.
Sorry for the rant. We're all on the same road, I believe.
just kidding CFI's im not even to that point, but I did get a Multi in FLA, fuggin hot flying! I respect those DAB instructors...ouch!
It's not my business but I only wish to make some suggestions. This whole PFTing thing is still in its infancy. If everyone stuck together and forced change, it would be better for all you guys. 
