A320 or 737 type

[LAZYB]

Not considering cost, which Type rating - A320 or 737 - do you think would be the most beneficial in this market. JetBlue, USA3000, etc, vs SWA, BBJ private ops, etc???

 

[flx757]

My $.02 worth is that any type rating without a certain amount of experience in that type probably does you no good in this current market...with the exception of the 737 type which SWA requires in order to be considered.

I'm not sure simply having a type in the A320 would make you more competitive with jetBlue or USA 3000, though somone from those companies could probably give you a better idea about that.

 

[LEDSLEDDRVR]

The A320 type isn't really going to get you anywhere with Jet Blue or USA3000. I heard of guys with the type rating not being offered a job at either place. Actually, the guys I know who were hired by one of the other had no type or experience in the A320. If you feel compelled to go and get a type rating, then the 737 will be the thing to get I guess. SWA now will not even interview you unless you have one of those. However, that point is rather moot since SWA has nearly 300 people in a hiring pool and probably won't be doing any interviewing for at leat the next 6-8 months. My advice is send something to Jet Blue, Air Tran, and a couple others just to see what happens. Like the other guy said, having the type without any experience in the plane doesn't really help unless it's in the case of SWA.

 

[bobbysamd]

Type ratings

Getting a type rating won't help you much unless you have, shall or can obtain time in the aircraft. Having said that, my choice would be the 737 type. Southwest aside, many more operators solicit 737 drivers than Airbus.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your choice.

 

[banned username 2]

I agree with everyone else, a Type without time in type is pretty much useless... BUT if you have to pick one Type I would go with the 737 type... my reasons... SWA and possible BBJ work...

 

[LAZYB]

Gentlemen,

Thanks for the input. I understand your concerns.

I'm a "dislocated worker". Uncle Sam (WIA) is paying for the rating. The 737 will probably be the most useful.

 

[LittleDeuce]

Type Rating

I would disagree that a type rating was useless

I have always made a decent living as a sim instructor when times were lean.

I will be instructing in the A-320 when I get my "useless" Type Rating thanks to WIA money.

Good Luck

 

[LEDSLEDDRVR]

Well, seeing how you have a B737 type rating then I guess the only "logical" type rating for you to get in an A320 type. I believe the question was asked which would be more adventagous. Depends on what you're after I guess. Since SWA is more or less requiring that people now have the 737 type and Jet Blue and USA 3000 could really careless and will type you once you're hired, it would be better off getting the 737 type.
Just so you know, having worked on a hiring board I can honestly tell you, having a type vs having a type with time in that type IS useless when it comes to being competitive. I've also known people who have bought the A320 type and not get a job offer from Jet Blue or USA 3000, some have yet to even get an interview. It can be handy, but I think if I had to choose I'd take the 737 over the bus anyday.

 

[Skank]

An A320 type may get you a job as an instructor, but that certainly is not true for anyone. Why would an Airbus operator hire an instructor with zero airplane time to teach its pilots?

 

[LEDSLEDDRVR]

737/A320

This is true, you can take your A320 type rating with 0 time in the plane and put it up against the furloughed guys from NWA, UAL, and US AIR. Remember Jet Blue doesn't require that they give up a senority number so I'm sure you'll be quit competitive against those guys. TELL US HOW YOU DOOOOOOOOOOOOO.