Does size matter?

[southFL]

I am a low time charter pilot. I really want to work for a major at some point in my career as opportunities present themselves. I am patiently and happily going about paying my dues, but I have a question:

I currently fly a 21,500 lbs MGTOW jet aircraft. I have the opportunity to fly a approx 70,000 lbs MGTOW jet aircraft at the same company. The catch is that I will probably be a legit captain (in other words non-"co-captain") on the smaller jet in the next 6 months.

If I have the ambition to work for a major, what would be the most advantageous to accomplishing that goal? Stand alone captain on a small jet or co-captain of sorts on a larger jet?

I respect and appreciate your feedback and opinions; even the ones that make jokes at my expense.

 

[AMRCostUnit]

IMHO go for the PIC. I have a ton of hours but all SIC as I have not been able to upgrade to Captain at AA in 13 years. My signed-for-the-airplane PIC is only 1300 and as such is hampering my efforts to get an interview at SWA.

Unit

 

[semperfido]

what are the specific airplanes involved? i would probably take the bigger plane. you want the majors now, but who knows what you will want in 5 yrs.....another type rating involved?

 

[pilotyip]

1000 Tj Pic

Stick with getting your 1000 TJ PIC before you go anywhere, except another place that gets you TJ PIC. you are not a real player in the moving up the job latter until you have that 1000 TJ PIC on your resume. The bigger the airplane the easier it is to fly and the harder to learn.

 

[Jetjockey]

Hands down......get the turbine PIC, everything else is fluff.

 

[jon coqtoestone]

Stick with getting your 1000 TJ PIC before you go anywhere, excepet another place that gets you TJ PIC. you are not a real player in the moving the job latter until you have that 1000 TJ PIC on your resume. The bigger the airplane the easier it is to fly and the harder to learn.

I agree with pilotyip -- except I'd bump that number up to 2000. I heard a SW regional chief say that the unofficial "floor" is 1800 T-PIC. Of course, if you're "special" I'm sure there's a little flexibility. But if you're not drinking buddies with "the man", don't count on 1000 being anywhere near "competitive" regardless of how impressive the rest of your resume is . . .

(My opinion only -- I'm definitely NOT in the know . . .)

Cheers!

 

[gt1900]

Yep....get the PIC turbine. 1000 hrs PIC used to be the goal put I'd agree with JC, get 2000.....1000 PIC just isn't really competitive anymore.

 

[southFL]

Thanks for the feedback. Some of my fellow co-workers are telling me I'm crazy for passing it up. To their credit, if I wanted to stay GA, a Gulfstream type would be nice, but there is something to be said for a schedule.

The grass may always be greener somewhere else, but an airline is where I want to end up. Anyone who has done the charter thing knows what I am talking about.

Hopefully one day, I will get a chance to share a flight deck with you guys and not just a chat room.

 

[canyonblue737]

P.I.C. turbine > Heavier Airplane

any day. any time.

 

[boxjockey]

Plus the fact that the Lear is heavier than 20,000 lbs. I would definitely go for the upgrade in the Lear instead of the right seat of the GS. I have been very fortunate so far in my aviation career, and due to family ties, I had the opportunity to fly a corporate G5 and two Citations. I passed. I would not leave the airlines for the best corporate gig, unless I didn't have another choice. I love the airlines. The schedule, the travel bennies, and especially the fact that all I do is come to work, drive from A to B, and then go home. That is definitely the best part.


box

 

[Ty Webb]

The people who have responded to your question are mostly airline people, and while they are giving some standard advice, as a former 91/135 guy who is now at an airline, I would look at it a little differently.

Realistically, even if you stay in the Lear (or whatever the 21K a/c is) it may be 3-5 years before you have enough time to be considered at a major, and the industry may be in great shape, or it may be even worse than right now, no one knows.

Regardless, you will have a thousand hours in a Lear, and be competing against guys who have several thousand hours as a 121 jet Capt, so basically, it will come down to contacts, timing, persistence, and luck.

But what do you want to be doing if the airlines are not an option? Flying a Gulfstream, or flying a Lear? Historically, Lear jobs and 500 series Citation jobs pay the least.That is a common type rating that can be bought for $5K. A Gulfstream type is worth much more ($40K+), and a contract pilot flying a G makes twice as much per day as a Lear pilot. Also, you may be able to pick up some cash on the side to get through the first year of airline pay, or in the event of a furlough. Picking up $800-$1,000 a day as a G skipper were sure beat $350-600. a day for a Lear or Citation.

If I were you, and they are willing to type you, take the Gulfstream, and log every part 91 leg that you fly as PIC. If it doesn't come with a type, then stick with the smaller one and build PIC.

 

[semperfido]

Thanks for the feedback. Some of my fellow co-workers are telling me I'm crazy for passing it up. To their credit, if I wanted to stay GA, a Gulfstream type would be nice, but there is something to be said for a schedule.

The grass may always be greener somewhere else, but an airline is where I want to end up. Anyone who has done the charter thing knows what I am talking about.

Hopefully one day, I will get a chance to share a flight deck with you guys and not just a chat room.

your co-workers are probably right. go and get the gulfstream type rating. you will be more marketable. you can always get a job flying a lear after you have flown a gulfstream. try not to have "tunnel vision" when it comes to the airlines....as it is a big world out there and there are many opportunities down the road.

 

[Xfr8dog]

A Gulfstream type is worth quite alot I hear... Are you going to get typed off the bat in the G-IV, G-V? If so... there is no question in my mind. Get the juicy type!

 

[PurpleTail]

If you are looking to move on down the road (ie. the majors) I would personally stay a full time captain. Turbine PIC is what opens the doors later and gets you the interview...period!

Only you know what your situation is really like so take eveyones advise with a little grain of salt and weigh out your options. Good luck.

 

[AMRCostUnit]

I think if you want to go to the airlines T-PIC is king. Look at the list of minimum requirements at the various company websites. There is no required number of types but there IS a minimum for PIC.

I have a nice list of types; 1000 hours in the 777. Exactly ZERO of the flying time counts in the signed-for-the-aircraft PIC column. I could use some more to be competitve for SWA but have no way to fly T-PIC unless I get furloughed and flowback to RJ Captain or take a leave and try for a corporate left seat. Not much chance of either happening...at least for now...


Good luck in your decision.

Unit

The GV does look like an awesome machine...

 

[English]

The grass may always be greener somewhere else, but an airline is where I want to end up. Anyone who has done the charter thing knows what I am talking about.

Maybe you're working for the wrong charter company. Just be careful that you don't take just any old airline job. Most of them are not better than what you are doing now. A few might be, but not many.

 

[Ty Webb]

Just be careful that you don't take just any old airline job. Most of them are not better than what you are doing now. A few might be, but not many.

English, do you know much about S. FL charter or corporate operations? Because, yeah, just about any national or major airline job IS better than most S. FL 91/135 jobs.

There are a few decent jobs here and there, but there are more bandits, scalawags and cutthroats down there than a remake of "Treasure Island".

Aaaargh, Matey!

 

[English]

Nope, don't know much about Florida. All I know is that I left a charter gig to go to Aloha, and decided to go back to the charter gig because it was better. My coworker left America West for the same reason. But, it's not in Florida

 

[pooter]

you are in exactly the same situation i had years ago.go for the pic,that will enable you to apply to the numerous companies that fly big iron.almost everyone wants 1000 pic.this way you want get caught in the regionals yanking gear for 5 years in a crj.with the pic time box checked you can apply to the crappy 121 supplementals flying md-80s,727s ,747s 0r a300s.airlines don't give a crap whether its a gv or a lear 55,they just won't to make sure you have what it takes to get a type and be pic.you can work your way to a reputable airline later.