PIC time: How much is competitive?

[sassymolassy]

A question about PIC time:

Can anyone out there pass some knowledge about how much PIC time is needed to be competitive for the majors. I've heard and read about 1,000PIC being the "magic number." What about the type/quality though?

I have goose egg (0) PIC, but I am soon getting upgraded. However, all of my current time (about 1400) is all turbine...and about 1200 of that is heavy time. (Yeah, you guessed it...another military puke)!

I'm just trying to figure out how many years from now I may be able to start sending out competitive resumes. Hopefully I can earn 200-300 hours per year PIC.

Thanks in advance to any responses.

SASSYMOLASSY

 

[NEDude]

Good question, one I'd like to know myself. I am closing in on the 1000 PIC, but at a very low paying company. Relative seniority is moving the wrong direction as well. After the 1000, do I move on to a larger, better paying, more stable regional, but as SIC? Or do I stick around and end up back on reserve and wonder about the security of my job for the opportunity to build some more PIC time in bits and pieces?

 

[BRA]

I wonder the same thing. I would guess 1000 ERJ PIC would be the same as 3000 beech 1900 prop PIC. I am sure 10 guys would have 10 different opinions on that sentence though. One would think that having jet time on the resume would be a huge plus. Past performance is not always an indicator of future results. prop PIC by itself may be worthless down the road. Or may be with the right walk in.....just having the minimums will be fine. Everytime time a thread like this gets going....half the posters say get all the turbine PIC you can get...no matter how small the plane...the other half say get 1000 and then get out and move on to jets. I've heard spirit prefers jet time. I have heard the same about frontier. I would guess that if places start to find that they can save money and reduce the washout rates by hiring only those with jet time we will see a solid answer to the question.

 

[saabcaptain]

while 1000 PIC will be the mins to get you in the door, likely you would need check airman experience, or something special to add to it. at my company most folks leaving seem to have 2000+ and i think that is a reasonable guess. if your goal is to work at a major, most majors value PIC turbine above all else so i would recommend staying a captain and getting PIC over switching to another regional carrier and flying SIC again. obviously if family needs dictate otherwise then you have to make a personal and tough decision.

 

[fokkers&beer]

No ones called yet, almost 3000 PIC turbine over 45,000 pounds.

 

[CF34-3B1]

500 PIC EMB120 3000 PIC CR2

No accidents, violations, anything bad, etc

No calls either.

<sigh>

 

[Mooseflyer]

I'd say don't worry about when you'll be competitive. As soon as you meet the MINS for a particular company, send them a resume - even if you owe the next 3 years of your life to Uncle Sam. Since you say you have zero PIC, you probably owe more time than that to the government, and by the time your commitment is up the competitive mins will have changed anyway.

 

[JTB]

Good on ya, Sassy

It's never too late to start networking.

Heard that 1500pic hrs is a good number to try to get an interview with SWA.

jtb

 

[johnny taliban]

A note I've learned from a good friend who has a great "in" at SW... .

Not trying to start a flame war here but does this post mean that the "good ole boy" network is alive and well at SWA?

Johnny

 

[JTB]

Having a higher number of pic hrs gives you a higher score? (whatever that number is). It's no secret that SWA holds a DB and reviews the interview data for each applicant. From all indications on this board and on others, the PD folks do a good job and are fair Good luck.

jtb

 

[abxaviator]

I have well over 6,000 turbine hours in everything from a T-34C to a B-767, but with only 973 hours PIC, several companies wouldn't give my resume a second glance. For many companies you will need 1,000 PIC turbine.

 

[FO 4 Life]

It's how much time you have as much as who you know.

 

[FracCapt]

I have over 4000 Turbine PIC, with over 2500 of it Jet PIC...and 4 type ratings...and no calls yet. Nobody knows what the magic formula is..

 

[turn&pull]

Becoming a check-airman, instructor pilot, or management pilot at your current employer would be more important in getting hired than whether your time is turbo-prop or jet. There are lots of pilots out there with lots of PIC jet time and anything you can do to set yourself apart will make a difference. Becoming a check-airman, etc. usually means that the individual has worked hard, kept their nose clean, and has a positive relationship with management. I think most airlines like that.

 

[Peter Gibbons]

NO FLAME WAR....but....
First of all I have the greatest respect for the aviators who came before myself and the guys and gals who have been furloughed or shut out of a job because of company closure. Setting aside the military types going to SWA and sticking strictly to the civ. folks, what works better for a company like SWA? A person who has had a job at a major (5000 PIC, tasted the good life and high pay flying two legs a day) who might look at SWA as a step down and their third or fourth choice or the person who has been hashing it out in the trenches (1500 PIC) making 20k a year and on food stamps at a regional or flying cargo for a freight company in extremely difficult conditions most wouldn't wish on their enemies dog who WANT more than anything to be there and is their FIRST choice?
These two scenarios don't fit everyone but they are representative of many trying to go there. Again I am not trying to make flame bait. It's just a thought. Any thoughts?