I Need Help!! Cant Decide!!!

[Flybet3]

Hey guys, I need help on making a decision. I have a class date with Pinnacle and a class date with a Start up here in Dallas. I have already weighted out the good and bad stuff about each. I would be flying a Jetstream 3100 here in Dallas with a chance to upgrade in a matter of months. On the other hand pinnacle as to what I heard it could take a couple of year. Plus I would have to commute alot and I am married. With the company here in Dallas I would be number 6 on the seniority list , the company looks very promising. The Training at pinnacle is obviously unpaid, and 2 months long. Here in Dallas it's going to be 3 weeks paid. Give me some advice you guys, I'm leaning a bit more on the company here in Dallas b/c I can stay home, seniority number, and upgrade time. But would it be better to get my 121 Turbine PIC time in a Heavy jet like the CRJ or would it still be ok to do it in a 16000lbs jet stream turboprop. Just give it to me straight guys.

 

[Isla Mujeres]

Just from what you told us, I would stay at HOME with the FAMILY and give the ole'J31 a try.

-If it works out. Great. In no time, you could be logging turbine PIC.
And that is what you need to go anywhere. Of course some companies have a weight requirement. But I wouldn't worry about that. Simply because a lot more of them, just don't care. They just want to see someTurbine PIC.

-If that doesn't work out, a lot of regionals are hiring.
So I would not loose any sleep over not getting on with Pinnacle at this time.
This J31 quick upgrade is a one time deal. Regionals with a CRJ are a dime a dozen. You could always get hired then.
By then, you would have a lot more experience and you could actually choose, where you want to go.

And flying a Junkstream, what an experience that is!!
It will make a sharp pilot out of you...

Later,

 

[FurloughedAgain]

You know...

You know, a whole lot of people are going to tell you to go for the RJ. There is a perception out there that "jet" experience is the only experience -- that "props are for boats".

I'm going to disagree. If your profile is correct you have around 1700 hours. That is extremely low-time. There is no benefit to rushing to get jet-pic with 1700 hours. You would still be far, far, away from being competitive at any job where the jet-pic might benefit you.

I flew the Jetstream 31 in the mid-90s. During the time I flew that airplane I believe I was a better stick n' rudder pilot than at any other period of my career. The airplane is extremely challenging to fly well, and as a result, instills a lot of pride when you do so. At 1700 hours you have precious little real-world experience. Sitting in the right seat of an RJ reading a magazine while the autopilot follows an FMS course isn't going to help you build the skills you might need to get you out of a bind one day.

The Jetstream will challenge you each and every day that you go to work. With no autopilot or FMS to use as a crutch you will find yourself flying more precisely than ever before. You will be thinking ahead of the airplane. You will be proactive in your decision making rather than reactive.

There is plenty of time to fly a "jet". Now is the time to stay in your home town, enjoy your wife and family, and learn how to FLY an airliner rather than simply watch a box fly it for you.

Personally, i'd hang out in the Jetstream for a few years and see where the industry goes. Who knows? Maybe down the road you can find a "jet" job right there in Dallas. But I dont believe you'll regret the time you spent with the ol' Jetstream.... Wetdream... Junkstream... Deathstream... Jetscream... Jetpig... Wigglypig....

Sing along with me fellow Jetpig drivers... (to the tune of Gilligan's Island)

NOW sit right back and hear the tale of a typical Jetstream trip
Stuff 19 paying passengers aboard our tiny ship.
No drinks no stew no cockpit door, not a single luxury
Like Orville and Wilbur, as primitive as can be. As primitive as can be.

My armrest's broke my back is shot I have a second job. The engines are not making torque, I wish I flew a Saab.... I wish I flew a Saab...

(anybody remember the other verses?)

 

[Stinkbug]

Curious, is the start-up a Part 121 gig? Not that it really matters right now.

From what you told us, you're looking at the following dilemmas: paid training vs. unpaid, stay at home vs. commute, quick upgrade vs. slow upgrade. Doesn't seem to be much room for debate to me.

Take the jetstream job. At this point in your career, it's a no-brainer, even if it isn't Part 121. As someone else mentioned, if it doesn't work out, you should have no trouble landing a job with a regional airline down the road.

 

[T-Gates]

Take the Jetstream job, you'll be home, no comutting hassle and a quicker upgrade. And everybody and thier brother has a buttload of CRJ/ERJ SIC time theese days, that J31 PIC time will really enhance your resume.

Just my .02


Furloughed Again,

I love that song!!

 

[Axel]

From a former jetstream guy, former commuter, currently rj guy living in base. There is no decision here. Take the jetstream gig.

Give the j-31 a boy, she'll give you back a man. That is invaluable experience that will look really good on your resume; much better than an rj switch-monkey.

More importantly, and Dorothy said it best: "There's no place like home."

 

[norskman2]

Add the fact that upgrades at Pinnacle are going to come to a screeching halt next year when the last of the current RJ order is delivered (search for previous Pinnacle threads), and it is really a no-brainer.

 

[Treme]

I found the rest of the song. (smile) Brings back a lot of memories of FSI in STL.

to the tune of Gilligan's Island

Just sit right back and you"ll hear the tale
of a typical Jetstream trip

we stuff nineteen paying passengers
aboard our tiny ship

no drinks, no stew, no cockpit door
not a single luxury

like Or-ville and wilbur wright
as primitive as can be
as primitive as can be

my armrest's stuck, my back is shot
I have a second job

the engines are not making torque
I wish I flew a Saab

We wrote one up, the boss is mad
its me he wants to fire

I should have stayed in dental school
the majors will not hire
the majors will not hire

the freon's out, the flows are bad
no damper is installed

the passengers are turning green
the new guy is appalled

the pressure spikes, the radar's shot
the brand new ingine quit

I hope I live to tell the tale
of a typical Jetstream trip
A-board our ti-ny ship !

 

[Heavy Set]

Give the Junkstream a try and if doesn't work out, go get jet time at Eagle and STAY in the Dallas area.... Have you applied to Eagle yet? A newhire friend of mine told me that Dallas is somewhat senior but it will only take him 3-4 months after starting on the line to bid DFW. Good luck.

 

[CubanSmoker]

Go with the jetstream gig. An airplane is an airplane. Jets are neat but not THAT neat. QOL is the only thing that matters for me!

 

[flagshipper]

I have made a few other post referencing upgrade at pinnacle and if we stop at 129 which seems likely there is a going to be a long wait for upgrade and yeah the jet is neat but every now and again I wouldn't mind doing an arrival manually. Hey family is the number one priority and being able to stay home with them will make you more popular and autopilots are way overated

 

[speedwings]

Hey family is the number one priority and being able to stay home with them will make you more popular and autopilots are way overated

Well said.

 

[a-v-8er]

I know several people that work for Pinnacle and everyone is quite happy, BUT not as happy as if they didn't have to commute! It's a good airline (once you make it through the no-pay training and first year pay). However, being at home, where work is and your life is beats any other flying job (TP or Jet) if the pay is in the vicinity of being equal. I'd go with the QOL and stay at home! There will be opportunities later on if you change your mind!

 

[KingAirer]

What if this startup never really gets started Up? It wouldnt be the first time. What if they startup and run ya 6 days out of 7. Maybe 4-6 of those days away from base. What if there work rules and qol at that airline is like, (what has been reported on here) BMA. As far as the upgrade goes, what if it doesnt happen as quickly or at all. Most all airlines start out with great expectations and intentions but how many actually come to fruition. Look at GPAir. Great idea, got good backing, but it just didnt happen.

What are you going to do in 2 years if all is rosy and you get on with another airline. Are you only going to apply to "majors" with Dallas bases? What about moving now? Or applying to another carrier with a IAH base or DFW base?

Im not saying what the others isnt true, just another vantage point.

 

[Flybet3]

more infor on the start up

What if this startup never really gets started Up? It wouldnt be the first time. What if they startup and run ya 6 days out of 7. Maybe 4-6 of those days away from base. What if there work rules and qol at that airline is like, (what has been reported on here) BMA. As far as the upgrade goes, what if it doesnt happen as quickly or at all. Most all airlines start out with great expectations and intentions but how many actually come to fruition. Look at GPAir. Great idea, got good backing, but it just didnt happen.

What are you going to do in 2 years if all is rosy and you get on with another airline. Are you only going to apply to "majors" with Dallas bases? What about moving now? Or applying to another carrier with a IAH base or DFW base?

Im not saying what the others isnt true, just another vantage point.

First of all thank you all for your wisdome and insight, it really helps. To answer many of your questions, yes the airlines is a 121. The airlines is going to begin flying, the airline service is going to be to the small cities in the south, were all the big birds can go in to. The cities that we are going to fly to are requesting the service and are giving the airline money to operate. The cities are going to promote the airline, so the airline is not going to spend one cent. The airline has already received 100,000 dollars from a couple of cities. So its happening, this is not a start up where a rich boy broke his piggy bank and digged into his savings account. (example)The airlines is going to get $1000 to fly from Dallas to lake charles, its going cost the airlines $600 or so to operate the airlplane, they are going to charge $100 to every passenger, its a 19 seater. So they are going to make $2900 one way, and even if the airplane is empty, they still made $400 bucks! So they are not losing money. I heard from someone that this is how Mesa started. Also to start the chief pilot told me that they are going to give us 3 to 4 days off. We're going to have a 50 hour a month guaranteed and once the airline takes off 70 hours. I am not going to lie, it does scare me to thing that the airline might go out in a couple of years, but like I said the airline is getting around $100,000 grand a year from each of the cities that it is going to serve. Also like I posted before upgrade will be fast, I get to stay home with 3 to 4 days off which gives me a chance to get a part-time flying gigg or something. Oh yeah, for all of you wondering I am 22 years old....sooooo yeah I am young guy (no comments of me being married please)

 

[wingnutt]

so is there a name to this "mystery" company?

 

[Flybet3]

company name

so is there a name to this "mystery" company?

The name of the Airline is City Airlines

 

[CatYaaak]

The name of the Airline is City Airlines

I can't sit here and watch these responses without saying anything. It pains me too much...he's only 22 and should have a good futre...show some mercy. I say go to Pinnacle and get the CRJ training. Then, immediately on completion, begin knocking on hangar doors and sending out resumes to the corporate Challenger operators you should be researching NOW and getting to know NOW, and when you get a job offer fromone of them, run like he11 away from the airlines and never, EVER look back.... forever!

P.S. I'm not kidding

 

[Flybet3]

????

I can't sit here and watch these responses without saying anything. It pains me too much...he's only 22 and should have a good futre...show some mercy. I say go to Pinnacle and get the CRJ training. Then, immediately on completion, begin knocking on hangar doors and sending out resumes to the corporate Challenger operators you should be researching NOW and getting to know NOW, and when you get a job offer fromone of them, run like he11 away from the airlines and never, EVER look back.... forever!

P.S. I'm not kidding

What is "Corporate Challenger Ops"??? Never heard of it, can someone tell me I never heard of this before???

 

[rogerthat]

If the company doesn't make it, you may end up looking for a regional or fractional job anyway. It will be a long time before you will have the chance to move on to a major ragardless the route you choose. Three years from now will you still want to be a 19 seat jetstream captain making $30 an hour? Good luck.