singlespeed
building turbine time
- Joined
- May 19, 2003
- Posts
- 186
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Cargo to Regionals??
- Thread starter CFI4LIFE
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- Watchers 12
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pilotyip
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
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- 13,629
Caveman
Grandpa
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- Nov 25, 2001
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singlespeed
building turbine time
- Joined
- May 19, 2003
- Posts
- 186
Caveman, yes it does. The Surly rules. I have a Cannondale 1FG(1 fa$king Gear) and a F-2000. I broke my F-2000 last spring and a friend let me borrow his 1FG. I liked it so much I bought it. My geared bike comes out once in awhile. I did a 12hr race on the geared bike back in Sept and did 80 miles. I got 8th out of 30 riders. (I got 2 Flats on the 7th lap) I don’t think I could do that on a singlespeed. In my area I have a choice of about 8 choices of places to ride.
I was asking what you did before because I was thinking of leaving my bizjet gig to go back to the 121 world. I have the 1000 T-pick and a 73 type. I somewhat have a schedule but I live and die but my cell phone and get called out all the time to go fly. Pay is ok but I would be in the ballpark of what I make now in about 3 years at a regional as a FO. I looking more for a schedule that I can see what I am doing in 30 days and plan my life. My typical day starts with a 3:30 or 4am wake up, at the airport by 4:30 fly at 5:30 or 6:00 until 8 or 9am. Sit, fly home at 4 or 5pm, get in at 7:30 or 8PM, do it again the next day. Living the dream.
I was asking what you did before because I was thinking of leaving my bizjet gig to go back to the 121 world. I have the 1000 T-pick and a 73 type. I somewhat have a schedule but I live and die but my cell phone and get called out all the time to go fly. Pay is ok but I would be in the ballpark of what I make now in about 3 years at a regional as a FO. I looking more for a schedule that I can see what I am doing in 30 days and plan my life. My typical day starts with a 3:30 or 4am wake up, at the airport by 4:30 fly at 5:30 or 6:00 until 8 or 9am. Sit, fly home at 4 or 5pm, get in at 7:30 or 8PM, do it again the next day. Living the dream.
Well, to clarify.. I am just upgrading INTO the jet, so it'll be another year or so before I'll be flying PIC. I'm sure I am going to stay long enough to fly SIC on the jet, but I don't know about upgrading to PIC. Thats kind of why I started this thread, just to see how people who may have been in my position feel about their decisions.
I have no false hopes of building 1000 pic and going straight to Fed Ex or SWA. I'm well aware that while ,it is possible to do that, its not a sure thing. Not even very likely.
As for the money thing, I do make good money now (in my opinion), and an upgrade to the jet will bring a nice increase to that. I've looked at the airline pay site, and it would take a few years to get to the break even point, depending on the company of course. I guess in the long run, money is not the MOST important thing, but it is a factor. I'm more concerned with QOL.
At present, I am in my late 20's and single, so moving around and being gone doesn't bother me. I travel all the time as it is, I actually enjoy it.
I never really thought that the big dogs were not taking freight guys because we are preceived as unsafe, or risk takers. I guess I understand the sterotype, the whole why check the weather I'm going anyway reputation, but I personally have never seen anyone do anything outside of the regs or without taking into consderation the safety factor. Yes we push the limit, but I don't think its ever past the point of comprimising safety. I have on more than one occasion sat at the end of a runway waiting for the weather to come up to my take off mins. I have on more than one occasion not departed because of weather in the area. I know are planes arent the prettiest, or the best equiped, but its what we have, and we learn to work with it. I honestly think it makes better pilots out of us. Anyone that has flown night cargo knows what I'm talking about. I don't speak for everyone, but IN MY EXPERIENCE, flying freight has always been done with safety as priority number one.
Anyway... I do value everyones input, and its nice to see that people don't hate their jobs like I once suspected. Hopefully more people can share their feelings on this.
I have no false hopes of building 1000 pic and going straight to Fed Ex or SWA. I'm well aware that while ,it is possible to do that, its not a sure thing. Not even very likely.
As for the money thing, I do make good money now (in my opinion), and an upgrade to the jet will bring a nice increase to that. I've looked at the airline pay site, and it would take a few years to get to the break even point, depending on the company of course. I guess in the long run, money is not the MOST important thing, but it is a factor. I'm more concerned with QOL.
At present, I am in my late 20's and single, so moving around and being gone doesn't bother me. I travel all the time as it is, I actually enjoy it.
I never really thought that the big dogs were not taking freight guys because we are preceived as unsafe, or risk takers. I guess I understand the sterotype, the whole why check the weather I'm going anyway reputation, but I personally have never seen anyone do anything outside of the regs or without taking into consderation the safety factor. Yes we push the limit, but I don't think its ever past the point of comprimising safety. I have on more than one occasion sat at the end of a runway waiting for the weather to come up to my take off mins. I have on more than one occasion not departed because of weather in the area. I know are planes arent the prettiest, or the best equiped, but its what we have, and we learn to work with it. I honestly think it makes better pilots out of us. Anyone that has flown night cargo knows what I'm talking about. I don't speak for everyone, but IN MY EXPERIENCE, flying freight has always been done with safety as priority number one.
Anyway... I do value everyones input, and its nice to see that people don't hate their jobs like I once suspected. Hopefully more people can share their feelings on this.
CFI,
If your looking for QOL. It's time to leave. If your single and have nobody else to worry about, first year pay shouldn't be that bad. I'm guessing we worked for the same freight company. I can't tell you how much my life has improved.
When I floated I was gone for 20 days a month. Now, I haven't had an overnight in five months(I live in base). Basicly ever since I've been able to hold a line. Even reserve wasn't bad. Also no sitting reserve at the airport. The schedulers and dispatchers also treated me with respect too while on reserve.
Take a good look at the regionals/fractionals out there. See which one you think you would fit in the best at. Talk to their pilots in the terminal. Ask them questions. It should give you a good idea of where you want to go.
If your looking for QOL. It's time to leave. If your single and have nobody else to worry about, first year pay shouldn't be that bad. I'm guessing we worked for the same freight company. I can't tell you how much my life has improved.
When I floated I was gone for 20 days a month. Now, I haven't had an overnight in five months(I live in base). Basicly ever since I've been able to hold a line. Even reserve wasn't bad. Also no sitting reserve at the airport. The schedulers and dispatchers also treated me with respect too while on reserve.
Take a good look at the regionals/fractionals out there. See which one you think you would fit in the best at. Talk to their pilots in the terminal. Ask them questions. It should give you a good idea of where you want to go.
Big Duke Six
Not-too-Junior
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2003
- Posts
- 544
I'd seriously consider staying. I flew freight (single-pilot Metroliners) for 2 1/2 years while holding out for a job at a major. It worked for me. Of course, I did have a background flying in the Air Force (737's) but I had not flown in about 5 years (after the AF) before I started flying freight. When I decided to get back into flying, I needed two things: 1) some more PIC turbine time and 2) something recent that would show a prospective employer that I could still fly. I came upon the freight job, and it was perfect (career-wise). I ended up staying at it about 2 years longer than I thought I would - because of 9/11 - but I was holding out for a job at Frontier. I kept flying my 6 day a week schedule until finally, they called me for an interview.
Without a wife and kids to sway your desires for a better schedule, I would bite the bullet and take the path that will get you the T-PIC time ASAP. It won't be with a regional. And, IMHO, 121 time for it's own sake is not a good trade for the money you'll be losing. Airlines hire CAPTAINS. The time you spend in the right seat at a regional won't differentiate you from most others out there. PIC TIME WILL.
Other airlines may feel differently about guys with freight experience, but I'll tell you what: At first, I was almost embarrassed to tell the folks at F9 that I flew freight. But EVERYONE I have told, from the people on the interview board to the guys on the line, has been somewhat impressed. Not to blow my own horn by any means, but it turns out that it was very valuable time to have on my resume. The typical response I get when I tell someone is "Holy $hit! You couldn't pay me enough to go do that!"
So, looking back, I had fun while I was doing it, all the while keeping the faith that someday, the door would open. It really was fun. Take all the extra flying you can get and build time as quickly as possible. Get yourself ready. Start getting all your paperwork (passport, FCC license etc) ready. Think about doing an interview prep BEFORE you "get the call". It will heighten your awareness of yourself and give you time to work on the things you'll need to work on. The preps are definitely worth the money for that reason alone, at least it was for me. You seriously don't want to wait until the last minute for it because then you'll have too much to worry about. Knowing I would only get one shot at it, I did not want to leave ANY stone unturned while I was gettting ready for the interview. I knew from past experience that I did not interview well, so like I said, it was worth it for me because I felt SO much more confident than if I hadn't done it. Anyway, that's my two cents.
Without a wife and kids to sway your desires for a better schedule, I would bite the bullet and take the path that will get you the T-PIC time ASAP. It won't be with a regional. And, IMHO, 121 time for it's own sake is not a good trade for the money you'll be losing. Airlines hire CAPTAINS. The time you spend in the right seat at a regional won't differentiate you from most others out there. PIC TIME WILL.
Other airlines may feel differently about guys with freight experience, but I'll tell you what: At first, I was almost embarrassed to tell the folks at F9 that I flew freight. But EVERYONE I have told, from the people on the interview board to the guys on the line, has been somewhat impressed. Not to blow my own horn by any means, but it turns out that it was very valuable time to have on my resume. The typical response I get when I tell someone is "Holy $hit! You couldn't pay me enough to go do that!"
So, looking back, I had fun while I was doing it, all the while keeping the faith that someday, the door would open. It really was fun. Take all the extra flying you can get and build time as quickly as possible. Get yourself ready. Start getting all your paperwork (passport, FCC license etc) ready. Think about doing an interview prep BEFORE you "get the call". It will heighten your awareness of yourself and give you time to work on the things you'll need to work on. The preps are definitely worth the money for that reason alone, at least it was for me. You seriously don't want to wait until the last minute for it because then you'll have too much to worry about. Knowing I would only get one shot at it, I did not want to leave ANY stone unturned while I was gettting ready for the interview. I knew from past experience that I did not interview well, so like I said, it was worth it for me because I felt SO much more confident than if I hadn't done it. Anyway, that's my two cents.
rattler
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 242
First of all there is nothing wrong with flying freight and then trying to get a job with a major. It has happened for alot of people. The same is true for corporate pilots.
However, let's look at what has happened in the last 3 1/2 years. Practically no one has hired at the major level. That leaves 1000's of RJ captians with 5000+ hrs of 121 PIC turbo jet time, looking for that same job you want. When airlines hire they are looking for people that will make the best transition to the type of flying they do. In my opinion, the RJ Captians are the most desirable, after that probably military, then 135 pilots and last probably corporate. But either way, you will need alot more than 1000 PIC in a jet to get a major airline job.
However, let's look at what has happened in the last 3 1/2 years. Practically no one has hired at the major level. That leaves 1000's of RJ captians with 5000+ hrs of 121 PIC turbo jet time, looking for that same job you want. When airlines hire they are looking for people that will make the best transition to the type of flying they do. In my opinion, the RJ Captians are the most desirable, after that probably military, then 135 pilots and last probably corporate. But either way, you will need alot more than 1000 PIC in a jet to get a major airline job.
SloDoDriver
Forever Furloughed
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2004
- Posts
- 64
Ask the question on the Majors board.
Big Duke Six
Not-too-Junior
- Joined
- Feb 12, 2003
- Posts
- 544
When airlines hire they are looking for people that will make the best transition to the type of flying they do. In my opinion, the RJ Captians are the most desirable, after that probably military, then 135 pilots and last probably corporate.
Well, not to rain on your parade Rattler, but as you said, there are thousands of RJ Captains out there looking for work right now, yet in my class of 13 at F9 there
was only one RJ Captain present. On the other hand, there was only one freight jockey too - ME. Five of us were also ex-military, but only one had just come out of the military to F9. My point is not to bash your opinion, but to point out that there are many airlines looking to hire a MIX of guys into their cockpits, not just those who would appear to be the easiest to transition into "their type of flying".
Well, not to rain on your parade Rattler, but as you said, there are thousands of RJ Captains out there looking for work right now, yet in my class of 13 at F9 there
was only one RJ Captain present. On the other hand, there was only one freight jockey too - ME. Five of us were also ex-military, but only one had just come out of the military to F9. My point is not to bash your opinion, but to point out that there are many airlines looking to hire a MIX of guys into their cockpits, not just those who would appear to be the easiest to transition into "their type of flying".
do what makes you happy
My advice is do what makes you happy, if your not happy flying frieght then go fly people, it takes a while to get anywhere in this crappy industry, so just go where you will be happy crawling along for the years to come. I believe I know the comany cfi4life works for and it is well respected for having good pilots. 135 flying covers big group of flying, alot of which is at shady/ crappy outfits.... working at one of those places may hurt you when searching for jobs elsewhere, though there are a few reputable places, which is a different story if you come from one of those. Anyway honestly if your just gonna take a jet spot and then leave, just leave and save yourself all the extra work of training, and give someone else who wants to stick around that spot
My advice is do what makes you happy, if your not happy flying frieght then go fly people, it takes a while to get anywhere in this crappy industry, so just go where you will be happy crawling along for the years to come. I believe I know the comany cfi4life works for and it is well respected for having good pilots. 135 flying covers big group of flying, alot of which is at shady/ crappy outfits.... working at one of those places may hurt you when searching for jobs elsewhere, though there are a few reputable places, which is a different story if you come from one of those. Anyway honestly if your just gonna take a jet spot and then leave, just leave and save yourself all the extra work of training, and give someone else who wants to stick around that spot
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