Air Wisconsin offer

[Av8tor91]

I have been given an offer with Air Wisconsin and accepted a class date for May 24th. But not sure if I should go.
I've been flying LearJets 60, as an FO, for a charter company(135) and getting great experience. I'm type on the LearJet 35/55 but have not been upgraded yet. I have over 4,000 total hours and 2,000 jet. In addition, I have a 4 year degree.
Air Wisconson told us during the interview the upgrade could take as long as 8-10 years.
Would I be able to go to the majors without doing time in the commuters? Should I leave all of this for Air Wisconsin?? Would it be worth it??

 

[labbats]

Hey, can I have your problems?

 

[I Hate Freight]

Hey, can I have your problems?

LMAO!! I was just thinking the same thing

 

[On Your Six]

How much PIC jet time do you have? 8-10 years is an awful long time - especially if Air Whiskey actually offered that figure to you - kinda surprising that they would be that honest with you.

Personally, I would go only if I ALREADY had 1000 hours PIC in a Lear. PIC jet time is key for airlines like SWA, Jet Blue, etc. If you don't have 1000 hours PIC on the Lear, maybe you should reconsider the offer - maybe look at CHQ or Pinnacle - I think they have quicker upgrade times.

Jet PIC time is the critical factor to consider if you want to fly for SWA, Jet Blue, AirTran, etc. in the future.

 

[DirkkDiggler]

Just remember, upgrade times cannot be predicted. Things change in this business and there is no way you can choose an airline based on how quickly things will be moving a year or two down the road. Five years ago Air Wisconsin had about 20 aircraft and now there are over 70. I'm not saying the same thing will happen but nobody knew it was going to happen five years ago either. I also know people who flew for Mesa, which arguably has the quickest upgrade times at the moment, and after three years they still hadn't upgraded. So my suggestion is to make any decisions based on the worst case scenario. That way you won't be dissapointed down the road. Also, pick an airline based on whether you are willing to hang out there for a decent amount of time. If you're trying to get to the majors as quickly as possible, I'd stick where you are because I'm sure you're closer to an upgrade than if you left and went to almost any regional airline. If you really want a quick upgrade try Commutair. It's not jets but I'll bet you'll upgrade easily within 12 months and it's still turbine PIC. Who knows what the right thing to do is. All you have to do is make a decision that you can live with down the road.

 

[English]

Why leave a Lear 60 gig for a regional airline? What are you not getting now (at your current job) that you think you will get at a regional airline?

If you are thinking you need the 121 experience to get to a major - well, forget that. AirTran is the only airline with a 121 requirement. If you are looking to go to AirTran, you need 500 PIC 121. that will take you, how long did you say, ten years to upgrade?

Are you looking for a better paycheck? You won't get that at Air Whisky. If you are a 60 FO you should be bringing in somewhere between around 40k and 80k.

Are you looking for better QOL? Does Air Whisky have a base in your hometown?

What are you looking for? PIC turbine time? If so, wait for the Lear 60 upgrade.

 

[Brasgaucho]

Stay where you are...

 

[LegacyDriver]

Dude, is there even a question here?

STAY PUT.

 

[Cosmo1999]

Stay there man. why start all over again when you already have a good job.

 

[Gulfstream 200]

simple.

How much you going to make as a Lear 60 PIC?

I guess 70-90K..and you say its a quality job??..

How long till you make 70-90K at the airline?...10 years??


I dont care what the old saying is......MONEY DOES BUY HAPPINESS.

I vote stay put and be a Captain.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Just remember, upgrade times cannot be predicted. Things change in this business and there is no way you can choose an airline based on how quickly things will be moving a year or two down the road. Five years ago Air Wisconsin had about 20 aircraft and now there are over 70. I'm not saying the same thing will happen but nobody knew it was going to happen five years ago either. I also know people who flew for Mesa, which arguably has the quickest upgrade times at the moment, and after three years they still hadn't upgraded. So my suggestion is to make any decisions based on the worst case scenario. That way you won't be dissapointed down the road. Also, pick an airline based on whether you are willing to hang out there for a decent amount of time. If you're trying to get to the majors as quickly as possible, I'd stick where you are because I'm sure you're closer to an upgrade than if you left and went to almost any regional airline. If you really want a quick upgrade try Commutair. It's not jets but I'll bet you'll upgrade easily within 12 months and it's still turbine PIC. Who knows what the right thing to do is. All you have to do is make a decision that you can live with down the road.

Some of this is true but a good portion is not!! Remember that AWAC was a much larger company years ago and during hard times UAL sold a good chunk of it to ACA. The truth of the matter is that AWAC gave him a realistic view of what to expect and with all their eggs once again in the UAL basket the writing on the wall may be all too clear!!! I was with AWAC for three yrs and it took every bit of that time for my class to upgrade. I would now be a displaced reserve capt in IAD making 13% less pay, Oops sorry 7% less based on the lie we were told. Bottom line do yourself a favor don't spend eight years and anybodies regional sitting right seat!!!!!

WD.

 

[DirkkDiggler]

Whiskey Man, It must make life much easier to know so much about the future of a particular airline. Don't reveal your source though. It wouldn't leave anything to talk about on this site.

 

[Wiskey Driver]

Young Dirk!!

Your point is unclear however being a former AWAC driver and witnessing first hand the "we fly only for UAL" mentality I think that would be just about enough source for you but If you require more or others let me know!!

WD.

 

[crashpad]

Just ask yourself; "do people notice me when I walk through the terminal, do the majors respect a guy that doesn't fly a jet that holds 50 people and flys a real (albeit 10 leg) airline schedule? Do kids ever ask for your autograph and do hot blonde stewardess's ever flirt with you?

You don't know what your missing. Go-Go-Airwisco!!!

 

[CRJ Driver]

Keep your Lear job, do you realy want to do 7 leg days out of ORD, then reduced rest. After 4 days of that $hit your a vegatable.

 

[WhiteCloud]

8-10 years in the right seat!?! They may have said that but I'm not buying into it. They have plenty of Captains that want to move on and will when the get a better job. Sound more like an interview ploy to see if you really want to work there.