Advice needed

[wheelsup]

Is ExpressJet a "bottom feeder", then?

If upgrade time there was quicker, it would be WELL worth it to go there. If I had my choice, I'd go someplace that paid well, or to an airline that upgrades come quick (I think Mesa is around 6 months for Dash 8 and 2 years for CRJ, that's worth it IMHO). Pinnacle is running 1.5 years or so for upgrade, told to me by a new FO there. When my time comes, we'll see what I end up doing.

Not to mention that COEX guys are talking strike, and pay rates remain unrealistically low for their operation, again IMHO!

~wheelsup

 

[I.P. Freley]

Pinnacle is running 1.5 years or so for upgrade, told to me by a new FO there. When my time comes, we'll see what I end up doing.

I don't work there, mind you, but I think you'd better do a search around the Pinnacle threads and see what a new-hire at PCL is REALLY looking at for upgrade, and I assure you from what I've heard it's going to be far, far more than 18mos (if you got on there at "the right time, that may be accurate, but not NOW).

 

[I.P. Freley]

Would you buy the 150 hours of multi hoping for a regional job or would you go out there and earn it flying freight?

I'd get it flying freight before I'd buy it, but that's not the point I'm making. It sounds like you look at the airlines as the "junior league" or something, and I think you have the wrong attitude about the work 121 pilots do. If your attitude is that you'll be more competitive at a major or a regional with freight time as opposed to 121 time (even "right seat in a jungle jet), I think you're dead wrong.

If you're looking at freight as a way to get the multi time, by all means do it. And you don't need to do it for "a couple of years", either... If you want to get on with almost any regional that's hiring, you'll only need a couple of months. If you STAY at that freight outfit for a couple of years to get the 1000ME, then you'll be more competitive at a corporate outfit.

I guess it just depends upon what route you REALLY want to travel in this great industry... If it's airlines, get on at a 121 carrier ASAP. Obviously you need more time to get that job, and freight is but one way to do it (have you considered getting your MEI?)

 

[I.P. Freley]

Minimums are 600/100- that sounds pretty much like the bottom to me

I guess we have a basic disagreement on what a "bottom feeder" is, then.

 

[WhiteCloud]

Did this guy just say get a part time job on your days off while working at a commuter? I'm guessing his pot smoking is clouding his judgement. First off, you don't get time off when you are a junior guy at a regional.

Working part time as a CFI is a little more common part time pilot job but, yes, if you know the right people you can fly charters or 135 on days off. When I was doing it the CP just said don't miss any trips here. Later on he did some moonlighting with us too. CP's need some extra cash too and they all aren't "company" people.

 

[braidkid]

I'd get it flying freight before I'd buy it, but that's not the point I'm making. It sounds like you look at the airlines as the "junior league" or something, and I think you have the wrong attitude about the work 121 pilots do. If your attitude is that you'll be more competitive at a major or a regional with freight time as opposed to 121 time (even "right seat in a jungle jet), I think you're dead wrong.

Believe me, I do not view 121 pilots as "junior league." I have all the respect for them. My comment about being more competitive at a regional after freight is because I'll have 1000 MT vs. 200 MT if I go buy it.

 

[Fly BI]

Food for thought

For my money, freight is where it's at. Especially with the pax carriers hurting so badly right now. Ponder these thoughts:

US Air goes into chapter 7. The ripple effect at Chataqua, Mesa, TSA, PSA, Piedmont, Colgan and whoever else I forgot will be immense. Where are those guys going to go in the short term?

Toss in another fecal grenade from our arab buddies right before the election and America goes into retreat from air travel.

Ultimately, freight is still going to fly. People will still ship items and write checks. The safest place to be right now is at the front end of a load of boxes.

My .02

~99