Being Downgraded do I go to Part 135 PIC?

[Tycer]

I was just informed today that I will downgraded in about a month. I have my stuff in with SWA, but 1200 Turbine PIC seems a little short of what I have been hearing. Now do I leave for a part 135 op and keep building the PIC or do I stick it out with the Part 121 Gig. Other factors.... I am leaving for UPT for a guard unit in about a year, but I am trying my best to get hired by a major before then.....ANY HELP/IDEAS! Thanks

 

[ILStoMinimums]

I was just informed today that I will downgraded in about a month. I have my stuff in with SWA, but 1200 Turbine PIC seems a little short of what I have been hearing. Now do I leave for a part 135 op and keep building the PIC or do I stick it out with the Part 121 Gig. Other factors.... I am leaving for UPT for a guard unit in about a year, but I am trying my best to get hired by a major before then.....ANY HELP/IDEAS! Thanks

Well you have the 1000 PIC, its all about time now imo.

 

[Swerpipe]

My opinion but please ask others

Tycer,

If it is Southwest where you want to go, I would recommend that you continue to get PIC turbine time. The day you get downgraded, everyone else will be getting more and more competitive relative to you. Which ,in effect, will be delaying your interview date. Also, consider getting the 737 type since they have said that they will be calling typed pilots first (according to SWA PD 95% of interviewees have types).
I don't know if you have flown 135 before but if you haven't I think the experience will be a definite plus IMHO. You and your copilot will have many more duties like baggage handler, cook, flight attendant, flight dispatcher, pilot, janitor, accountant, cleaning technician, DJ, movie DVD operator, psychiatrist, ramp agent, bartender,etc... Most likely you will go to different, unfamiliar airports all the time and enough things will happen which will generate even more stories for your interview, giving you more depth as a candidate. SWA is a company dedicated to the highest quality of customer service and I can not think of a better environment in which to get customer service experience than flying Part 135.
Believe it from a pilot that's bailed out a few customers from Mexican jails...oh yeah, forgot to mention...lawyer

 

[Weasil]

Hey Tycer,
I take if you are a Dornier captain at PSA. I heard about the downgrades today. Does Southwest accept PIC time on a turbo prop or do you need PIC time on a jet?

 

[328dude]

Weisel: SWA will look at if you have your 1000 hours PIC. Dosen't really matter to my knowledge if jet is better than turboprop. I am in the same boat as Tycer and being downgraded. Still deciding what to do, but I'll probably go with the 135 gig to keep building my PIC time.

Since SWA is where both myself and Tycer are trying to go, (Both have 737 types from HPA), we both are wondering where to turn.

Any SW folks out there got any insight would be great. Chase??????

 

[ASADFW7]

If you get downgraded the turbine time will help. The unoffical rule is at least 1300 hours converts to 1000 hours turbine pic with their conversion factor they do. If I could take the hit I would do the same, go back to flying frieght to build the turbine PIC instead of getting fat flying an CRJ.

I interviewed 4 years ago with about 1200 hours pic then, and was told it was too little. I built another 600 or so before i left flying 135> So I am locked in at the amount I have sitting right seat as well.

Hope this helps.

 

[328dude]

That Conversion factor is for military dude's and dudette's.

 

[ivauir]

Without knowing specifics to your situation and a few "unknowables" it is really hard to give advice.

What I'd like to know is:
- What kind of upgrade time are you looking at?
- What are you gonna fly in the guard?
- What is your family/money siuation?

Yes you want more turbine PIC. But what are you giving up to get it? Odds are you are not gonna get interviewed at any company before UPT. I think you ought to keep your senority number where you are - if you stay where you are will you be in the left seat after Upt? Yeah it'd be great to go to UPT with a senority number at a company you plan on retireing from, but given the short timeframe that proabaly isn't gonna happen. And if it does it'll have nothing to do with what you do over the next couple of months...

But look at the bright side - post UPT you'll be the number one most sought out commodity in the airline business: a militarily trained pilot currently employed by a 121 operation.

So - hope for an interview - prepare for Upt - and enjoy the ride!

 

[BRA]

For what it's worth Gulfstream airlines in florida was hiring directly into the left seat of the 1900. MY company had 2 captains leave within the last 2 months. This would be part 121 PIC, and i hear they fly a ton per month.

 

[Weasil]

A lot of Gulfstream captains came to PSA to become FO's. It would be so ironic if then PSA captains went to Gulfstream to become Captains down there. What an industry.

 

[singlespeed]

Swerpipe,

Have they called yet? I'm still waiting. They will call the 2nd Tuesday of next week.

 

[getonit]

Question about the 1000 hours and a hypothetical ?.

I am currently building PIC ME turbine (jet and prop) and will be there in a year or so. I also have a reasonable lead at a company that types FO in the 737. Do you think I should stay where I am at till I get 1500 hours or bail at 1001 or so and get the type and 737 experience, but no more PIC?

 

[AA717driver]

Sounds like if you are low time, it's better to have the type. I've got over 2,500 hours of jet PIC(in a REAL jet, not one of those RJ's! ), no type, no phone call... FWIW.TC

 

[singlespeed]

How about you give me your lead and you can keep building PIC turbine time. Seriously that is a good question. I guess that all depends on QOL issues upgrade time and etc. I would PM chase and pick his brain. Time in type looks good in my book but I don’t work at SWA I’m just anther guy trying to get a job there. Good luck

 

[ivauir]

Do you think I should stay where I am at till I get 1500 hours or bail at 1001 or so and get the type and 737 experience, but no more PIC?

1000 is the MINIMUM. In this environment that just won't cut it. In your situation turbine PIC is the most valulable thing. The type is obviously important, but turbine PIC is more important.

If this seems to contradict my advice to Tycer it is because the situation is different. I'd be surprized if either of you interviewed in the next year, so I think he ought to stay planted if (and I'm assuming here) he'll be back in the left seat after UPT. So take a long term view. Keep pointing yourself and your career in the right direction. I would only move out of a tubine PIC postion for a job I wouldn't mind getting "stuck" in(even at 1500 hours PIC).

 

[ivauir]

Time in type looks good in my book but I don’t work at SWA I’m just anther guy trying to get a job there. Good luck

Time in type is great but turbine PIC trumps it and he need more. AA717driver on the other hand needs that 737 job ....

 

[Tycer]

Thanks for all the advise. To anwser the questions

1. Yes I have a 737 Type
2. The F-16
3. I am single with little if any debt