Advice-Pilot with 750tt and 150 multi

[Superpilot92]

I am currently flight instructing and hold my CFI/CFII/MEI. I have been instructing for alittle under a year. Does anyone know of a company or place I can go work and build alittle bit more TT and Multi-engine time. I Have 750tt and 150 multi and its not that I dont like instructing but I want to get out there and do something different. There is only so much stalls and steep turns one person likes to do especially in Texas. I am ready for some real world flying. Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[mmmdonut]

Do you have any interest in working for the regionals? They are hiring people with your hours.(and less)

 

[Superpilot92]

I have already put in application for XJET. Waiting on the call. I know a few people working there and in the training center. It is my under standing that they are on hold for phone calls till Jan. I really want to work at XJET, I interned there and would love to go back and work on the line. I am really hoping on a phone call soon.

 

[scubabri]

Personally, I say teach for another few months and then go find a 135 job and build experience up. If you are young, don't be in a hurry to get to a regional. Just because they are hiring at low time doesn't mean it's your best choice or a good idea.

When I had your time, which wasn't to long ago, I didn't know how much I had to learn, now that I have more time under my belt, I realize how much I still have to learn and how important that is when it comes down to you to make a life or death decision.

At this point in my career, I don't see how I could have gone directly to a regional, and been able to learn all of the stuff I've learned by flying skydivers, delivering aircraft, being a flight instructor and currently flying 135 charter.

There is a lot of stuff to learn, your best way to learn it is going to be out there flying in diverse conditions.

Build up your multi time, and go fly cargo or 135 charter for a year or so and then go try a regional.

If the regionals are stable, they'll be there when you have the experience built up, if they are not stable, probably better to be at a 135 job flying as a captain than to be furloughed.

Right now, the regionals pay carp, you might want to also think about working cargo or charter, saving up some cash to pad your lifestyle for a couple years whenever you do go to a regional.

The other thing to consider is why you became a pilot. As I look forward to the rest of my career, I realize that some of the best flying I am doing is right now. I wake up and can't wait to go to work and fly. Granted, I've got a pretty cool 135 gig, but I've heard from other senior types that some of the most fun they had was building time flying cargo or whatever.

When you get to the regional, you won't be the master of your ship for a very long time, that means something to me

good luck

sb

 

[Superpilot92]

I am about to turn 24 and I have a wife and a baby due in March. So i think that the regionals are where i need to go. The lifestyle for me would be alittle bit easier. Since i interned there I have at least one foot in the door so to speak. I think flight instructing is a great way to build experiance however there is a point when it seems the learning has been done. I have learned alot in the past year instructing all types of students Private, inst, comm, multi but when the majority of your flying is out in the same practice area and shooting the same approaches everyday i dont feel that i am learning as much as i would flying 135 or 121 regionals. I know that if given the opportunity to fly with XJET i would work hard and continue to learn even after flying on the line. I have already made it through the systems course there when i was interning so i know i can do that and i feel that from the many Instrument students and multi students i have taught i know my IFR proceedures. I would love to go fly 135 but most companies want the IFR 135 mins which i dont have. I have been turned down from those for not having the requierments.

 

[generaltso]

I am about to turn 24 and I have a wife and a baby due in March. So i think that the regionals are where i need to go.

Sorry dude, but that is one of the saddest, most naive statements I have ever seen on this board. Period.

 

[Superpilot92]

I know way to many people whom have gone off and flown cargo and they are never home. are working more than regional pilots are and you know what, i would much rather make alittle less if i get to see my family a little bit more. Nieve, maybe so. But i am young and trying to make something of my self and if i can bypass flying night cargo and never seeing my family than i am going to do it. For a guy my age the regionals dont look bad to me, I have a long career ahead of me to figure out the rest. XJET is a good company to be with and especially to start with. I am blessed to be in the situation i am in. You know what 3 years ago there werent jobs PERIOD and now i have the opportunity to at least have a job with a good company which is growing and not downsizing. I hope XJET calls me.

 

[generaltso]

XJET is a good company to be with and especially to start with.

I can't stand all the bright eyed bushy tailed 500 hour wonders that are coming out of the wood work. People get so excited about flying a nice looking jet and how nice they will look with stripes.

Let me ask you this... how do you know X-jet is a good company and a good place to work? Because some excited new hires told you? Talk to me half way through your first year when you are applying for a second job with Home Depot in order to feed your family.

 

[Art Vandalay]

I completely agree with the general. These are some of the most naive comments I have ever seen. Life at a regional does not allow you to be home, see your family, etc. I decided to try that route (XJET) until I realized that I was going to be nowhere near my home. The junior base at XJET is CLE. You will make 19,000 dollars your first year and will have to live in Cleveland. (most likely) Working for a 135 operator WILL allow you to be home every night, and I am sure there is one at your airport, so you can stay where you are.

By the way, why is it you act as if you are in a different situation than any of us who CFI'd to build hours? We all were frustrated with the same mistakes, same approaches, same scenery, etc. If you are a decent CFI, you shoud be logging AT LEAST 100 hours/month, especially in Texas.

By the way, can you please tell us AGAIN that you intern'ed at Express Jet?


Art Vandalay, Vandalay Industries

 

[Superpilot92]

Look you guys are getting me all wrong. You get so defensive about a young guy wanting to get a job somewhere. I enjoy instructing but if givent the opportunity to advance anyone would be dumb not to take it. I do fly alot instructing here and i make less than 15000 a year doing it. I know that XJET has its problems and so does every other aviation company. I am paying my dues and i will continue doing so until i get something bigger. If i am given the opportunity to move forward in my career i am going to do so. Whats so wrong with a young guy who still enjoys flying and cant wait to get to where you guys are at. Thanks for the advice guys. I am working my up the food chain just like everyone else should.

 

[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.

 

[Sticky]

Figure I'll through in my two cents...



I'd seriously consider something other then regionals if I were you. When I had 800 and 150, I thought the same way as you. However now, the regionals now look like a freakin' joke and an insult to me. I fly a survey C310/C320 during day VFR only and am home every night (those of you in the NYC area on clear days will hear us in the bravo for hours). I make $48,000 after bonuses and per diem. I average about a $8K raise per year until the magic $60,000 mark. After that, you'd pretty much have to assume other responsibilities in the company to break that line pilot salary. Anyway, to most CFIs, the regionals seem like the only and best way to go. DON'T FOLLOW THE HURD OFF THE CLIFF! There are much more important things in life then flying jets and wearing a uniform. If you're not careful, that’s all you'll ever end up with.



Mike.

 

[Sphrynxlla]

yeah sticky, but you dont have a chance with a higher paying major or national or even most corporate jet jobs... seems like you have a GREAT job, but there are reasons for going to regionals.. Jet time for those of us who want to work for a major airline, for me i hope for fed ex one day. Not bashing you just telling you why I am going the route I am going.

 

[fokkers&beer]

Remember-

Theres other ways to gain PIC turbine time besides the regionals, we'll all end up in the same boat sooner or later. For now enjoy the ride, and fly some fun equiptment, if thats what you are in aviation for.
There are some who are in it to wear the big hat. Others are in it for the experience, the joy of flying, and flying cool equiptment. We enjoy our jobs and the people we work with, and don't have to wear that d**n hat. The industry is truly what you make of it. Once again enjoy the ride.

 

[Superpilot92]

Thanks I am enjoying the ride. Learning more and more everyday.

Super

 

[cargodawg]

Keep your chin up, get your 135 mins then plaster exeryone you can think of with your resume (as long as you would like to work there) and see if anyone calls. If you want a better job, try very hard (meaning don't hold your breath for one outfit to call) and make sure you and your wife are on the same page as far as your job goes you can always get a different job wives are here to stay.
By the way sometimes doing something that is not so enjoyable is the best path to paradise.


Good luck

 

[cargodawg]

Fokkers&beer do you still want my hat I'm keeping it for you!!!later,
Matt

 

[flyfastinmy10]

Superpilot,
I went to work for a 91/135 operator flying a citation with 979tt and 35 me. It was a really good oppertunity. I was home most nights and upgraded 1 year later. I flew Pax. Mostly businessmen. I was very lucky and moved to the citation X 18 month after starting there. five years later with 4300TT 2000JetPIC I went to work for a Major airline.
Yes I was on call 24/7/365
Yes I worked a lot
Yes I'm happy now

 

[Sticky]

Sphrynxlla-



True...I realize that most pilots would love to fly for the majors and make big bucks. I'd love it too. However, don't you think that it's much easier said then done? Correct me if I'm wrong, but seeing how long time takes to make a livable wage at a regional (enough to own a home, invest, save for retirement, and have a family...you know, normal life things..) that its just too long and risky? I mean...a 25 year old FO can very easily and through no fault of his/her own, end up furloughed a couple times and be 45 years old still making under $45K? That seems crazy to me to bet that much on being a major pilot.



I guess my point is that to try to make good choices in your life and realize what’s required for you to live a healthy and happy life.



Good luck to us all



Mike.