Career Advice

[FlyBigE]

Hi Everyone:

I am looing for some opinions on the following situation:

I've been working for a 135 Cargo company for nearly 3 years as an FO. I now have a 3000+ hours with a lot of turbine. I am supposed to upgrade into a new aircraft and stand to make a lot more $$$. However the company has been draging the training out over several months and some the training time is now null and void and must be repeated.

My question is: is it time to pull the ejection handle and go to a 121 carrier and make less than I am making now for the next 2 years? Or do I just stick it out and wait and pray to finish my upgrade training?

your .02 is greatly appreciated.


Just to clarify things my company does things a little different. I will be upgrading into Cessna Piston Twins. Only after a year or two of that are you eligible to be a bandit captain.

 

[utahpilot]

what are your long term goals?

the idea is to get to the place where you will retire as fast as possible. at least, for me ;-)

 

[generaltso]

If the new plane is turbine and you will be in the left seat, I would give it another year or so. If they've sent you to training in the past, it would seem they are serious about the new plane.

Once you get your 1000 turbine PIC, then if you are eager to get out - go to a regional and while you are there, apply with all the airlines (Southwest, AirTran, ATA, Frontier, FedEx, etc.)

Then wait

 

[NightFlyer]

I agree with the previous two post. I'm assuming that you will be upgrading into the EMB-110 based upon your profile. If that is the case then I would upgrade where you are if it's going to be with in the next couple of years. Things have slowed down at the regionals these days so the upgrades will take some time over there and the money is not that great. Like Utahpilot said, you need to look at your long term goals. If you want to fly the big iron then you will need the 1000 PIC turbine. Good luck to ya.

NightFlyer

 

[freighthumper]

Geez......3 years as an FO then another year in a twin cessna to get left seat in a bandit..your could get there alot quicker than that....check out AirNow if you have bandit time, I know they are are looking for a pilot or 2..unless you can find a 121 gig thats more suited to you

 

[bobbysamd]

Upgrade

I would stick it out. 121 hiring is slow to very slow these days, so getting out and starting all over with the accompanying pay cut may not happen that quickly. Granted, the company may be slow in giving you your upgrade training, but, at least it is training you. You'll get there, eventually, and will build 135 multi PIC, which is always valuable. You will eventually get to the Bandit's left seat and will build 135 multi PIC turbine, which is golden. Finally, you have seniority where you are. You would face a great deal of uncertainty if you started anew at a 121 with a low number.

Hope that helps. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[Airpiraterob]

with 3 years FO in the bandit you should be able to go immediately into the bandit left seat. its fairly easy to fly with an FO there. i dunno why theyre making you go that route (perhaps theres only 1 bandit and the captian like to keep working) anyway, id stick it out in the twin cessna, multi PIC is gold time. get 1000 of that and go to any regional you want.