Best next move toward frac job?

[SpatialD]

I have almost 1200 hrs. TT, about half of which is SIC turbine flying freight - which I don't enjoy very much. I'm thinking hard about trying to get a regional job, even though I'm close to being ready for a 135 PIC gig. Ultimately, I think I'd like to settle into a fractional career for the long term, and it seems like the RJ would be more closely related to a fractional job than freight dogging.

Which will get me closer to my goal of a fractional jet - The 135 PIC cargo time, possibly (maybe) in a turbine, or the 121 jet job in the right seat? Neither is exactly what I want to do in the long run, but at least with the RJ I might eventually get upgraded to CA, which I could totally live with if the fractional thing didn't work out for some reason. Yeah, I know flying freight for a while is a good way to sharpen your flying skills and all that stuff, but right now I'm just trying to find out what will be most attractive to the fractional recruiters in another year or two. Thanks in advance.

 

[Fly High]

One of the questions for you is:

Are you willing to move? With the new domicile program that NJ and FO have it seems as though you might have a very good chance of having to move.

 

[SpatialD]

Yes - very willing to move away from MEM in the next couple years.

 

[flyfish]

I have almost 1200 hrs. TT, about half of which is SIC turbine flying freight - which I don't enjoy very much. I'm thinking hard about trying to get a regional job, even though I'm close to being ready for a 135 PIC gig. Ultimately, I think I'd like to settle into a fractional career for the long term, and it seems like the RJ would be more closely related to a fractional job than freight dogging.

Which will get me closer to my goal of a fractional jet - The 135 PIC cargo time, possibly (maybe) in a turbine, or the 121 jet job in the right seat? Neither is exactly what I want to do in the long run, but at least with the RJ I might eventually get upgraded to CA, which I could totally live with if the fractional thing didn't work out for some reason. Yeah, I know flying freight for a while is a good way to sharpen your flying skills and all that stuff, but right now I'm just trying to find out what will be most attractive to the fractional recruiters in another year or two. Thanks in advance.

We hire from both backgrounds, however, DM who does the hiring seems to have a preference for regional pilots. Seeing as she was formerly a recruiter for a commuter airline. Both work out great as a transition to our type of flying. The RJ flying is better for getting used to modern cockpits but freight flying and it's intrinsically hard IFR time is valuable too.

Most importantly always advance yourself into a place you least wouldn't mind getting stuck with. This is a game of musical chairs, when the music stops you can only hope your in a decent seat. Best of luck!!

 

[Humphreybogart]

I would think that the Freightdog PIC time is more valuable. Although I did both the regional and freight stuff, I am more partial and have alot more respect for the single pilot IFR part 135 people out there. The experience you'll attain is priceless. When I interviewed at my current fractional career, they didn't care at all about my regional experience, however they couldn't ask me enough about my Caravan experience flying by myself at night in the ice here in the Northeast. The cockpits are more modern in the regional jets, but they are not hard to get used to when you'd start training at FlightSafety. PIC time is everything. Good luck.

 

[Guitar rocker]

. When I interviewed at my current fractional career, they didn't care at all about my regional experience, however they couldn't ask me enough about my Caravan experience flying by myself at night in the ice here in the Northeast. PIC time is everything. Good luck.

Single engine PIC time in a Caravan is'nt nearly as important as gaining experience in a two person cockpit environment, not to mention the ME time and or jet time as well. Go for the regional job, get some experience there and then upgrade when your number is up. Get in while you can as seniority is everything.

 

[Guitar Guy]

Look at the hiring minimums and work to get those as quick as you can. With that said, having the ability in a 2-person cockpit is crucial. Single-engine/single-pilot 135 is probably not the best way to accrue that experience.

Once you meet the hiring minimums, start applying ASAP and start networking. A letter of recommendation tends to help speed up the hiring process.

Good luck to you.

 

[Tommy Boy]

If the pic turbine is in a multi-engine plane then take it. Multi PIC time is very essential, especially at 1200hrs. I tried to get one of my students on at the fractional I am at with 3k total time and 1500 of that pic turbine in the caravan. He only had 200hrs multi and they would not take him.

If you go to a regional they will work your tail off and pay you dirt and it will be years and years before you upgrade. If you want to come to the fractionals get some multi pic time for a couple of years then you should be good to go. Even if it's in a piston. First year at any of the fractionals is more money than any regional will pay you after even 3-4 yrs.

 

[SpatialD]

Thanks to all for the replies. Yeah, the ideal thing would definitely be if I could upgrade in the Shorts I'm flying now, but not with my current company. I just don't know if that'll happen in the 1200 hour neighborhood. If it does, then that's what I'll do.

If not, Tommy Boy you are saying that the multi piston PIC would be better than Jet SIC, have I got that right? I'm not really counting on the RJ upgrade because I was hoping to move to the fractionals before then. I'd have plenty of multi total time, but it would all be SIC (I have 9 hrs. multi PIC in a Duchess). Is that just totally unrealistic?

Just trying to find the shortest track to the right seat of a frac jet 'cause I'm pretty sure I'd be content to hang out there for a while and wait for an invitation to the left seat, which is my ultimate goal. Keep the replies coming, and thanks.

 

[Ultra Grump]

NetJets is hiring lots of Indy Air SIC's with no turbine PIC.

 

[SpatialD]

NetJets is hiring lots of Indy Air SIC's with no turbine PIC.

That's good to know. Maybe I can get all my right seat time behind me in these 'early years' (I turn 31 on Monday) before I move over to the left seat. Sure wish I could get off food stamps in the mean time, though:bawling:

 

[E62Pilot]

SpatialD are you flying freight for a outfit in MEM? If so, and you don't mind me asking, what's the company you're currently working for?

 

[tempus_fugit]

Most importantly always advance yourself into a place you least wouldn't mind getting stuck with. This is a game of musical chairs, when the music stops you can only hope your in a decent seat. Best of luck!!

Holy crap!!!!!! Thats the best piece of advice anyone has ever listed!!!!

SpatialD...multi-engine, IFR, single pilot, 2 or 3 crew planes, SR-71 time, and an endorsement from one of the Wrights all help. But truly more hours taking into account flyfish's comment is the best advice I have ever heard.

 

[SpatialD]

Thanks, tempus - I like that advice too (thank you too, flyfish). I can't have the job I really want right now, so anything I do is mostly going to be a means to an end. Might as well enjoy the ride I guess.

E62Pilot, check your PM's in a few minutes...

 

[Humphreybogart]

I do agree with the Guitar Guys that flying as a PIC in a two person crew is the ideal situation, however, those opportunities are not that readily available. You asked for the quickest way and I still think that would be to get a 135 job where you can be the PIC hopefully in a twin, or if not then in a single engine turbine where you'll build total time and PIC time. Gain the PIC time then go to a regional where you'll build multi time and gain CRM experience. Remember, fracs don't hire career first officers, they hire future captains! Good luck.

 

[Guitar rocker]

If you can get on at a regional, do it and dont waste your time with single engine 135 time. That isnt really going to help you with an interview. Sure, multi engine PIC 135 time is good if you have no other regional opportunities. But when that window opens, take it and dont mess around with 135 recip stuff. Your at an hour range thats within reach of regionals as they are hiring low time guys. Jet/turbine time and a two person cockpit is the experience you need and then you can upgrade when your number is up.

 

[Fozzy]

My $.02

Single pilot ops vs. two pilot 121 ops. No brainer, go 121. More structured, better quality time. Oh ya not to mention safer. I am sure some out there will try and slame me, but it is the truth. Running boxes around 135 is no where near as safe as working for a regional.
Go to the regional, and bug the hell out of the Frac guys you see lurking in the terminal/back of the plane. Someone will help you down the road.

 

[Guitar rocker]

My $.02

Oh ya not to mention safer. I am sure some out there will try and slame me, but it is the truth. Running boxes around 135 is no where near as safe as working for a regional.

Fozzy couldnt be more right.

 

[Fozzy]

Fozzy couldnt be more right.

Happens occasionally.