Advice-Pilot with 750tt and 150 multi

[Sphrynxlla]

After doing 135 for a while. I do not recommend that. No schedule. Planes are usually not as well maintained as a regional, better pay but in my opinion if you have no way to ever make plans. screw the 135 deal. I just quit my 135 and am going to a regional...so hopefully its the right decision.

 

[Superpilot92]

I appreciate the advice. I know a few people that feel the same way you do after flying 135 jigs.

 

[generaltso]

After doing 135 for a while. I do not recommend that. No schedule. Planes are usually not as well maintained as a regional, better pay but in my opinion if you have no way to ever make plans. screw the 135 deal. I just quit my 135 and am going to a regional...so hopefully its the right decision.

After having flown 135 for a while, I STRONGLY recommend it. 135 is a great stepping stone. Being PIC rated through the local FSDO in a handful of planes is not an easy task. 135 flying is a great way to increase your skills, and confidence. Whether it's cargo or pax, you will come out of 135 knowing your stuff, and knowing your limits.

If I was a family guy, I would find a good part 135 operator (they DO exist), and fly there for a few years. I know of a few part 135 pax operators that will start you at 30k for flying a Baron or Navajo. Home 26 nights out of the month. Upgrade to King Air C90 in a year or so and make 50k. With a good pax operation (avoid cargo if have family), you will fly during the day mainly and make decent pay and have good equipment.

The key for you is getting to the 135 mins. Just keep instructing... you are on your way.

 

[Superpilot92]

sounds good general. Like i said i am riding the bus and trying to see what my options are. thanks

 

[vossdr1]

I fly 91/135. I am on an overnight, on average of one day a month. I make good money, have a wife and two kids. The benefits are great.

I see my family every day. I doubt whether a regional new hire can say the same. Go to the regionals and find out. But there has been more feedback from more experienced pilots saying "Don't do it."

Godspeed Superpilot.

 

[Superpilot92]

voss
what kinda time did you have when you landed your first real flying gig. I anticipate building time pretty quick i have instructed almost 95 hours multi in 6 months or so and hopefully that stays they same.

 

[psysicx]

What they are trying to say is that if you go to a company like ameiflight you will make more money then a regional be home every night and upgrade to turbine equipment faster then a regional.That is why I can't figure out what the obsession with airlines are.Plus your flying ability increases.

 

[Sphrynxlla]

My 135 job is a great job! But I still really am looking forward to a schedule and stricter work rules.... I got hired with 950 TT 600 multi and a citation type rating.
I went into the Lear and eventually PIC in the Citation. I loved it, became a much better pilot and gained tons of experience...500 hours later I wasn't happy with my QOL.. that is why I think a regional may be better. Better schedule, Benefits and a predictable life.

 

[Maria]

King Airlines used to call me every summer to find out if I knew any 500 hour pilots that wanted to move to Vegas and fly part 135 VFR. The guy stopped calling last year, I told 'im I'd already sent everyone I knew.

I know those that have done ditch driving and are quite happy in their current jobs, check airman for one place, international Captain elsewhere, corp jet jockey at a third place.

FWIW.

Fly SAFE!
Jedi Nein

 

[vossdr1]

Superpilot,
That's kind of a misnomer. Flight instruction is a "real" flying job. If you get paid for it then it is a job. In fact, if you're a good flight instructor, you probably work harder than many higher paid pilots.

To answer your question, I got my first non-instruction flying job at AirNet with about 1700 tt. That seems like a lot of time from your prospective, but it's not that much. I built quality time there. You could certainly expect to be a captain if you applied with about 1450 tt. After training, adding a plane, and IOE, you'd probably have your time.

I think the point is, hold on to the good thing you have. You don't need to jump at a regional. If you really are dead set on an airline job, maybe you should go to a regional. Just know that you will be away from home, probably on reserve (i.e. not flying), and not making more than you make as an instructor.

I am thankful for the job I have now, but I always look for new opportunities. Believe me, I know the desparate feeling of looking down on another day of flight instruction- with no end in sight. However, be picky, you're an aviation proffesional.

If I were you, I'd stick out flight instruction. I'd get 135.243c mins. (these times are a good ballpark for most jobs) and as much multi time as I could (you're multi time is doing well, proportionally). Keep your instrument skills sharp. Get to know pilots of flight departments in your area. Get as much info about QOL, pay, benefits, etc. of the kind of flying that appeals to you. Then, go with that direction. It's just my opinion.