Is SIC time really that worthless?

[Vik]

how can it be worthless? you're getting to touch the controls and do takeoffs, landings and you are a required crewmember. Now if there is word that your company makes SIC sit on their hands and not fly the plane, you got more problems to deal with anyway.

 

[ukaviator]

In response to your first post, a good friend starts Netjest next month with exactly that scenario. Lots of PIC instructing, traffic, ect. He had some King Air 90 stuff, then went to a Regional. Still SIC there, on his way...

Now in you second post quoted above, you say "let go" from a regional. I'd be more concerned about that...

Sorry slip-o-the-tongue!!
The word I meant to use was 'furloughed', not 'let go'.
A freind and I are experiencing the same issue .... we have multi time (around 500hrs or so), have turbine time (albeit Single engine), 135 experience and are both around the 2000 hour plus mark. Most of it PIC but when ever you look at job postings for say a charter op or private gig, they either want previous jet time, or jet time and types.
So I wanted to know what the information guru's on this site thought about going to the regionals to aquire this. What really puts me off about doing that though, is I could have gone to the regionals at 800hrs --- I dont want to beleive all our efforts have been in vain and have to settle.
Thanks for all your posts guys, really insightful stuff.

 

[lawfly]

A type doesn't hurt to get a charter gig. Even as an SIC to start. Most of the SICs where I have been working were already typed when hired. With maybe some left seat on deadheads once you have been there a little while and, depending on your times and the company's needs, an upgrade. And somebody posted 1200 hours 135 mins gets you PIC? Not in a jet, not that I ever saw (except military). I just went from 135 jet to (very recently) a frac---haven't started at the frac yet. A lot of my turbine time is SIC. My turbine time is multi turbine and jet. And a type rating on my ATP. For me, the frac seems to be the best choice for a number of reasons, some of which might not pertain to you. But the 121/135/91/miltary pilots who were hired with me will all be on the same seniority list at the frac, based on date of hire at the frac, regardless of whether PIC or SIC in their last jobs.

 

[pilotyip]

lawfly, no I was saying jet PIC, I was saying PIC at someplace like AirNet, Ameriflight or a place that would lead to PIC in large requipment in a short period of time like USA Jet or Kallitta, (little). This builds your resume for the next step.

 

[Publishers]

While no time is worthless, I tend to look more at PIC single pilot experience which comes from the Airnet's type flying as a solid background. Many on these boards promote the working your way up as a CFI etc as the way to go but I tend to look at what type flying you did early on.
If you have a type but little PIC it is not very impressive compared with a non typed but more PIC in something smaller.
SIC where you sort of leaped there is not anything I look at. I like people with banner towing, check hauling, cargo parts haulers, who then got a shot at maybe a turboprop job which became PIC.
We are not looking for "Radio-men".

 

[rickair7777]

Sorry slip-o-the-tongue!!
The word I meant to use was 'furloughed', not 'let go'.
A freind and I are experiencing the same issue .... we have multi time (around 500hrs or so), have turbine time (albeit Single engine), 135 experience and are both around the 2000 hour plus mark. Most of it PIC but when ever you look at job postings for say a charter op or private gig, they either want previous jet time, or jet time and types.
So I wanted to know what the information guru's on this site thought about going to the regionals to aquire this. What really puts me off about doing that though, is I could have gone to the regionals at 800hrs --- I dont want to beleive all our efforts have been in vain and have to settle.
Thanks for all your posts guys, really insightful stuff.

Look at a street captain job, you're ideal. 2 years of that and you can apply to the big boyz with 1500 turbine 121 PIC. I'd do that before starting over as a regional FO. Mesa is hiring DHC-8 captains now.

 

[ukaviator]

To prop, or not to prop, that is the question...

Look at a street captain job, you're ideal. 2 years of that and you can apply to the big boyz with 1500 turbine 121 PIC. I'd do that before starting over as a regional FO. Mesa is hiring DHC-8 captains now.

I thought about that, but that still doesnt solve the lack of jet experience.
What would be the chance of getting on with say a Major with no previous jet time and no glass?
These two things seem to becoming more and more prevalent in job listings
What are your thoughts on that?

 

[ukaviator]

Dhc-8

Anyone know the requirements for a CA position with Mesa on the dash 8?

Any current dash 8 pilots with Mesa with any comments?