Career Advice

[fatdumbandhappy]

Hello, I’m deciding if I should leave Ameriflight (only been there 5 months, they would like you to stay a year, but I did not sign a training contract) for SkyWest,?? My goal is to be an Airline Pilot. I can stay at AMF and be a training captain, possibility a check airman, in the BE-99 and get my 1000 PIC that way ( I do have some airline connections), or should I go to SkyWest for 121 time and a little better QOL.
Thanks

 

[Ben Franklin]

my first $0.01: Skywest.

my second $0.01: Don't take career advice from anyone on the message boards.


Sincerely,

B. Franklin

 

[Purpledog]

If you're still young with no family, wash your hands of it and go make real money doing something else. Then buy an airplane for fun.

 

[GuppyPuppy]

If you're still young with no family, wash your hands of it and go make real money doing something else. Then buy an airplane for fun.

I agree with Purpledog. Stay away from the airlines. It will suck the fun out of flying.

Unless your goal is to stay at SkyWest for the rest of your career, stay at A-flight until you get at least 1,000 turbine PIC. You cannot predict the future and how long upgrades will be at SkyWest. Right now guys in the left seat have upgraded in about 1.5 years on the Brasilia. For a guy hired today, it might be the same, but it could also be 3-5 years. Depends on how many people leave. Depends on management. Depends on terrorism. Depends on the economy. It just depends on too many things that are completely out of your control.

Get your PIC, then go to SkyWest. You'll have more options than most of your co-workers. Also, a training captain looks awfully good on a resume!

I have just over 19 years 'til I reach age 60 and am forced to retire. My options are very limited right now because I didn't stay at my part 135 airline (now 121) and take the upgrade. I decided to go for the job at the regionals. I left the regional (with 5-year upgrades at the time) for another company because they told me I'd be a captain on a three-holer jet in 1 year. Didn't happen. Plans changed. Bottom line is that I don't have my 1,000 turbine PIC yet! I cannot even apply to FedEx, UPS, Southwest, Alaska, etc... All because I thought I was making the right moves at the time.

I know it is very tempting to make the jump and get to a "real" airline. I just don't want you to make the same mistake that I did and wind up with few options when you get furloughed.

GP

 

[HalinTexas]

I agree with Purpledog. Stay away from the airlines. It will suck the fun out of flying.

Unless your goal is to stay at SkyWest for the rest of your career, stay at A-flight until you get at least 1,000 turbine PIC. You cannot predict the future and how long upgrades will be at SkyWest. Right now guys in the left seat have upgraded in about 1.5 years on the Brasilia. For a guy hired today, it might be the same, but it could also be 3-5 years. Depends on how many people leave. Depends on management. Depends on terrorism. Depends on the economy. It just depends on too many things that are completely out of your control.

Get your PIC, then go to SkyWest. You'll have more options than most of your co-workers. Also, a training captain looks awfully good on a resume!

I have just over 19 years 'til I reach age 60 and am forced to retire. My options are very limited right now because I didn't stay at my part 135 airline (now 121) and take the upgrade. I decided to go for the job at the regionals. I left the regional (with 5-year upgrades at the time) for another company because they told me I'd be a captain on a three-holer jet in 1 year. Didn't happen. Plans changed. Bottom line is that I don't have my 1,000 turbine PIC yet! I cannot even apply to FedEx, UPS, Southwest, Alaska, etc... All because I thought I was making the right moves at the time.

I know it is very tempting to make the jump and get to a "real" airline. I just don't want you to make the same mistake that I did and wind up with few options when you get furloughed.

GP

Agreed.

Go back to school. Learn a trade. Devise some sort of income outside of aviation. I'm hearing welders can make $60-70K right out of school.

Then you can enjoy your "lucrative" flying career.

 

[AA717driver]

Turbine PIC time used to be worth gold. Now, it's a commodity that a whole bunch of people have. You HAVE to have it, too.

Stay at AirNet, get as much PIC time as you can, do the check airman thing (that looks REALLY good on the resume) as long as you can. No one says you can't go for the airlines (non-regionals) straight from a freight company.

The whole "135 isn't as good as 121" just doesn't apply anymore. Today, 135 is nearly as restrictive and complex as 121.

You are getting very good experience where you are at. Don't blow it just to fly something with a flight attendant in the back. JMO.TC

 

[Rebound]

I was in the same situation a few years back. PIC is key but jet PIC is even better. I believe most of the majors will start hiring towards the end of next year and it will last a few years. The sooner you can get 1000 PIC and a type rating the better. I would base my decision on upgrade time at SkyWest. I did the AMF training captain gig, earned my 1100 PIC in their B99, and than headed for SkyWest. It worked out well and I made it to DAL in less than three years. Good luck! Guessing on the future is always a gamble.

 

[Windsor]

I agree with the above posters. Get the PIC first, then head elsewhere. You may even get to bypass the regionals if you play your cards right.

 

[Caveman]

I agree with the rest. The 1000 turbine PIC is everything. Stay at AmeriFlight and get that block checked first. Then you can start thinking about 121.

I have friends at CMR with 5000-6000 hours TT, most of it 121 in a CRJ. Unfortunately none of them have any turbine PIC. When they were hired upgrades were going around 2-2 1/2 years. They are in their 6th year now and MAY be able to upgrade within the next year. Even then they will be reserve Capts at JFK. They are stuck with no way out because no major (except CAL) will talk to them unless they get the 1000 turbine PIC. I can not overstate how important it is to get the turbine PIC. Any turbine PIC.

An added benefit to staying is that a 135 Check Airman/Training Capt probably makes about the same if not a little more than an FO at SKW. Good luck.

 

[FN FAL]

An added benefit to staying is that a 135 Check Airman/Training Capt probably makes about the same if not a little more than an FO at SKW. Good luck.

Maybe at Ameriflight, they do.

 

[Quimby]

Get that PIC...1000-1300+ will allow you to apply everywhere, not just SKW. Become a check airman. You want these things on your app. Trust me.:beer:

 

[fatdumbandhappy]

Thanks for the reply's, I still have not decided. SkyWest is tempting because I want to be an Airline Pilot, so why not just become one now?? I'm at a point in my life that I can take risks, I have no family (wife/kidds, dog, etc.). Also the SkyWest flying (EMB-120) seem like it would be alot of fun...Anyways wish me luck, and thanks again.

 

[vetteracer]

REREAD THE THREADS.

You have some time, but you are still not marketable????

Go to the regional now, and what happens if you are an F.O. there for the next 8 years, then they go Tits Up? Then your just some dude with tons of F.O. time.

Stay put, gey your 1000-1500 Turbine PIC.

After 9-11, there were appicants that were furloughed from airlines that did not have the qualifications to fly a 310 part 135!

 

[ReportCanoa]

So you want to become an underpaid and overworked glorified bus driver. Take it from me- don't do it. You won't want to see an airplane after a few years at a regional.

 

[kingairyahoo]

nice...ask for the advice, then ignore it all

stay there, get the PIC, hell you might not get the training slot much less the check airman slot...but AT LEAST get the PIC.

or just ignore EVERYONE and go to skywest...

 

[vetteracer]

because I want to be an Airline Pilot, so why not just become one now??

There is part of the problem, the alure of the airlines !

 

[ptarmigan]

Get at least 1500 PIC multi turbine, check airman, THEN go be an "airline pilot" at a regional if you must. Jump now and you have a good chance of being a regional airline pilot for a looong time (that and a few bucks might buy you some coffee). Stay and get that time with check airman experience and you can likely get on with a major (assuming you have college) and never look back, instead of being like most of the regional pilots, almost all of whom WANT to be working for a major!

Give up a little ego gratification now for a LOT of it later!

 

[fatdumbandhappy]

because I want to be an Airline Pilot, so why not just become one now??

There is part of the problem, the alure of the airlines !

Hey man I learned to fly post-911 and I don't have unrealistic dreams of airline life, I just don't want to put in 14 hr days at AMF while only flying 1.5-2 hrs a day to and from the same airport (I like flying 80 hr + a month, and its nice to have someone to talk to in the other seat) Also, I see you have a 737 type but its not under your aircraft flown column, trying to get on with SWA as an Airline Pilot?? Maybe not.

Nonetheless thanks for everyone’s replies and as I said in my last post I have not decided yet.

To add to this discussion, can any current “Major” airline guys/gals comment on the number of Airline Pilots that are projected to retire in the next 5-10 years? www.airlinepilotcentral.com claims that several legacy careerier expect to lose 30-50% + of there pilots due the age 60 rule.

Happy Flying