Jet FO or prop Capt??

[OldManPilot]

remember, many of those on here are already working for 121 airlines. What you need to think about is that there is no promise that you will ever have another offer from an airline either regional, or major airline.
Some seem to forget that just because they are working for a 121 carrier a "Major Airline" job is not guarenteed.

If you want to fly for a Regional airline, you need to seriously consider this job offer. Job offers do not come along every day.

 

[j41driver]

Take JB for example. They are looking for time in a/c larger than 20,000 lbs. That usually means CRJ/ERJ or bigger. There are TP that meet that requirement but read between the lines.

I don't really see any lines to read between. If they wanted, as you put it, "transport type jet a/c" time then they would require time in those type a/c or at least in aircraft greater than 100,000lb. But they don't...they say 20,000lb.

There are actually many turboprops that meet or exceed 20,000lb.....for example: Saab 340 & 2000, Dornier 328, Dash 8, ATR 42 & 72, J41, G-I, Brasilia.....how many examples of all of these aircraft are flying in the US?

I'm sure there are a ton more (I didnt' even consider military planes) but you get the idea.

 

[Freight Dog]

Out of curiosity... what do you guys think is more valuable - FO time in a B737 or DHC-8 captain time?

I left with only about 250 hours of turbine PIC time (DHC-8) for this job. Some are saying I'm crazy for punching out before hitting 1000 turbine PIC, but this is a career airline with awesome retirement and industry-standard 737 pay. But one can't tell the future.... if the airline closes its doors for whatever reason or we get bought and TWA'd.. you get the point.

I realize I won't know if I made the right decision until I hit 60, but what do yas think? I don't intend to go anywhere, but I still log time regularly and religiously since you never know in this industry given 15+ year seniority pilots furloughed at USAir.

 

[Thedude]

Go for the jet time. Take my word for it on this one. Jet time is more valuable than t'prop time. I dunno why, but employers like to see that one

 

[inthepool]

Move on so I can have your lowly commuter job! Just kidding, good luck!

 

[Trash8Mofo]

F' dog,
Thats hard to say. Who would turn down a 737-700 job, and an awsome retirment package. But I think Aloha is a weird situation. The interisland market is dead and unprofitable as we know it. while they are expanding everyday to all the different westcost cities, but there are only so many of them Aloha can go to. I doubt Aloha will try to expand in the continental mainland, but I could be wrong. If they did, say Oakland-Midway, with competitors like Jetblue, Frontier, ATA, SWA, and AWA, they'd open a can of worm that they wouldnt like too much. So the hiring bound to stop soon, and that means low senority for the recent hired for awhile. Plus, the Hawaii-secondary westcost airports market is not exclusive to Aloha. National is adding more flights ( who the hell is national! and why do I always have to hold short of "A" for them), and I heard Frontier is also lurking. Also, the 200s are getting old, how long can they keep going? and whats after that. I am sure A318s would be nice. But again, the interisland market is and will not be likely to make money, which makes it hard to justify to use a shiny Boeing or Airbus. What if they switch out the 200s and replace them with a mix of CRJs 5/7/900s? Then it would be hard to justify a 150Gs paycheck to fly an RJ. I guess I have a lot of uncertainties about Aloha and Hawaii market in general. But I have been on Aloha many times, and I must say their service is better than any airlines that fly between hawaii and the mainland. Their price is more than reasonable. They have an unbeatable safetly record and professional flight crews. Aloha is equipped with every tool to succeed. It may just be the airlines that everybody wants to go to, and get to live in Hawaii. Also, with the unique location and close ties to Asia, which is where the expension will be in the next 20-30 years, Aloha might just have an edge. Dont you wish you had a crystal ball.

 

[climbhappy]

SENORITY...SENORITY...SENORITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

take the job jet, if you're in a 1900 ..forget it....you'll be smilin in two years... the majors aren't hiring and won't be for 7 to ten years if southwest,airtran and jetblue actuallly take delivery of the 300 plus jets they've ordered..........

 

[WileE]

Get the PIC time.

Everyone talks about when the majors will be hiring, but that isn't the only way out of a regional. There is corporate, fractional, UPS/Fedex and other paths to job satisfaction and security. I left the 121 biz for Flight Options, a position I would never have gotten without PIC time regardless of whether I had jet time, of which I had none. I am a thousand times happier now and have no regrets leaving the 121 side of the house. I'm typed in a jet, have a great QOL and can log more PIC already flying left seat on the dead legs.

Just remember that there is more out there than the hope that the majors might be hiring again in the next 5-7 years or so. If that is your only dream fine, but if you just haven't considered the other options out there, make sure you do before you take a step you might regret a couple years down the road.

 

[Freight Dog]

Trash8MoFo, check your PM.

 

[NoBathroom]

I don't envy your decision, as it is one that I just made. I chose to stay for the Turboprop PIC time. I based my decision on my own research and the advice of close friends. However, it wasn't an easy decision and it is one that I will second guess for a long time. But, in just the past year, we have had captains go to AirTran, ATA, Southwest, and Frontier. It is possible to make the jump from a commuter. The PIC time will get you a job a lot faster than SIC jet time. If, after 1000 hours PIC, I find that I need jet time, I can make that jump at that time. However, there isn't a large carrier that doesn't require PIC time, preferably at the 121 level. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Nalo Boy]

TAKE THE JOB

is this a Regional-to Regional situation? what is a well respected regional...and what are yo doing now? An RJ job is better than schlepping mail in a King air. and a 737-200 beats the HELL out of flying captain in a Dash 8, and if its only a couple year upgrade, go for the step up, you ll regret it if you dont.

P-nut Gallery

 

[Thunderchief]

An investment

How long have you been at your current job?
If you view the time you spent there as an investment, what return have you gotten out of it?
I would stay and get the Tprop type rating. You have spent some time at your current job, and if you really don't like it there wouldn't it be nice to have something from them in return?

Something to think about, I don't disagree with anyone here. Either way makes a strong arguement.

Good luck,
-TC

 

[speedbird1974]

Im in a worse situation than you are. I already have 2000 turb pic and 500 heavy jet. I dont know if I should go to a decent regional or wait for a major airline to call me. Im really burned out at my current job and I feel Im at the point that I have too much time for a regional sic jet job and not enough for a SWA, ATA, Spirit...Dont know what to do anymore

 

[2LT]

Not enough?

Speedbird -
Not enough for SWA? I think you're sitting in a pretty good postition w/ that kind of time? IMHO, I'd view a regional as throwing experience away...

One guy's opinion...

 

[speedbird1974]

2LT,

Thank you for your opinion.

Im just affraid that the same thing that happened to me before is going to happen again. I aplied for Spirit, AirTran, ATA... 3 years ago and I didnt for the regionals. So Sept 11th came around and no one called. I should it send resumes to the regionals because at the time , I had dobble their mins. By now I could it been a Captain. I just think Im better off waiting for a call at a decent regional than at a 135 company. The only problem is the money, I make enough to live pretty confortable.