PIC turbine time

[no1pilot2000]

When an airline (SWA, Delta, etc.) require pilot applicants for that important PIC turbine time, does it matter whether that time is in a turbo prop or turbo jet.

 

[LearLove]

not really that important (jet over turb.). splitting hairs and looking at times only jet may trump but it depends on the situation/flying.

In todays airline interview game (TMAAT format) your times/exp/job history and recs get you the interview - once at the interview it's all about you/your performance in the limited time/questions you have with the hr and chief pilot/training guys.

 

[lakemead1]

Here at Delta I know guys from CommutAir that were Beech 1900 captains. I left for xjet and upgraded there but they beat me over to Delta. At the time I thought it was the right move but you never know. I also know some Skywest Brasilia guys that made the move to Delta. I can't speak for SWA though.

 

[zasca]

Certainly seems to make a difference at the moment...

Jetblue and Delta have both been caught at job fairs saying to highly experienced prop guys, "Get some jet time and reapply" over the past year or so. Obviously they didn't care back in 07/08, and I'm sure they won't once the glut of guys wanting to go to majors lessens. Still freaking annoying though.

 

[kf4amu]

This is one of those things that I hear every now and then, but its always a "Jim told me he heard from Sarah who heard from this jumpseater guy..."

Never found it to have any merit.

 

[Helos2Galaxy]

I know turboshaft from military helos wasn't worth much than total time...

 

[no1pilot2000]

The reason I ask this question is that some CFI's I know want to get beyond instruction and move to a jet job with a larger airline or perhaps fractional job. They were given the advice to get turbo jet and not prop time to become more marketable to companies in the future. Both are headed to an airline pilot career fair on the west coast and applying online to the different jet regionals that are currently hiring.

 

[IslandDriver]

For your CFI friend I would say go to a company that looks like a reasonable time to upgrade. Jet / Turbo-prop. I would think 1000 PIC in a Q-400 would be equal to 1000 PIC on an ERJ.

I got hired on with a major with 1500 PIC SAAB 340 time. That was in 2007. Don't think that would really make a difference where I work.

 

[waveflyer]

Just keep growing as a pilot- and never be above your career in any way- Turbine PIC is important- get that knocked out 1500 TPIC is like a degree- once you got it - can't be taken away- then explore and grow as much as you can in whatever area interests you- jets, bigger jets, or stay in your plane and be a check pilot- just stay as challenged as the industry will let you-

If you bypass known opportunities- expect to explain that-
Other than that- enjoy the ride and each plane you fly- there are many paths to the same spot- few of which include lazy or "comfortable"

Then the other posters are right- it's then about YOU as a person- many good pilots haven't been hired bc they weren't well rounded interesting "together" people-
As my uncle said:' I didn't become successful just bc I worked harder- but bc I smiled and laughed while I worked harder-'

 

[humveedriver]

I would take the first opportunity that comes you way turbo prop or jet. Both PIC times will get your foot in the door at FedEx or SWA. I know it's a race and getting the seniority number with what you hope to be your last airline is the goal. But there is something to be said for enjoying the ride along the way. From my experiences, I had the most fun and got the greatest reward from turboprop flying. It didn't pay as well obviously, but offered challenges like short field landings/VFR flying/ navigating at the WORST possible altitudes for ice/T-storm avoidance. Hard to quantify that experience.

Yep- What Wave said.

 

[Dannone]

Do any of you know how many FOs just got hired at Delta without any PIC other than maybe in a 172? Jet Blue just told my friend he had too much time at the last job fair. This industry is FUBAR and this is def no direct relationship between PIC turbine and an interview!!!

 

[Helos2Galaxy]

Do any of you know how many FOs just got hired at Delta without any PIC other than maybe in a 172? Jet Blue just told my friend he had too much time at the last job fair. This industry is FUBAR and this is def no direct relationship between PIC turbine and an interview!!!

probably none.

 

[clr4theapch]

Good conversation, but it an employment related question for that section of FI, so it will be moved there.

Clr4 Mod

 

[propilot]

Isn't most every post on this site employment related... just sayin'.

 

[waveflyer]

It's not- and I know you're just doing what the webmaster wants-
But often moving a thread out of the majors section kills it-
We know why it was posted in the majors section: bc they wanted the opinion of major airline pilots on the subject- and most of us don't go to every room in the FI building

 

[clr4theapch]

Wave, thanks for bring this up, I wanted to talk about this..

We would like the members to use ALL of flight info., Visit every room in the building.. if everything is in the majors or regional sections, as has been allowed to happen to some degree, then finding information like this would be like going to a library and all the books from Romance to car repair are in the middle of the building...in some pile.. you don't want to walk into your home and see a tolet sitting in the corner and the kitchen sink in the other..

People get frustrated looking for information, so they naturally post another thread somewhere else, when the answer they need has already been answered, or the people that are concerned are already talking about the issue.. in the correct room all along..

We would like to expand the employment section down the road as well as other sections, so we need everyone to use all of it, scan all the "Sections" that would be of interest to you.. then a member can go back to the section that covers their type of work issues on a peticular airline.

Employment related issues like this ( PIC Turbine time) is valuable to all types of flying here on FI.. Cargo/LCC/Regional/Major/ and even 135.. but if this thread is only in the Majors section, as this was, then it can easily be missed by the other folks that don't come to the majors section...

So this is why we would like threads to be in the right location of FI... so they get maximum use by everyone..

thanks for the discussion on this, I hope I cleared this up..


Mod Clr4

 

[Amish RakeFight]

CLR4-

Couldnt a thread theoretically be labeled as both Major and Employment, yet only exist as a single entity?

Kinda like how Gmail organizes (labels) email.

 

[clr4theapch]

Possibly in an expanded employment section, that could work.. We will make a note of you idea.. IN the mean time we are short on manpower, so we need to keep this basic as possible for the time being.

 

[waveflyer]

Amish asked my question- that's a good solution- bc often when I post a topic in a section- it's bc I want the opinion of those who frequent that section-
WHEN someone who wants to be on a path to a major airline career, asks a career oriented question- it is appropriate and a good idea to ask MAJOR AIRLINE PILOTS- and not everyone w/ an opinion-
It goes to the old saying- everyone has an opinion on how to get rich- the opinions that count however, do not come from the poor.

That said, I see your dilemma about organizing- run it by the webmaster- their may be technology available that is just as simple, but allows what rakefight suggested.

 

[clr4theapch]

I understand exactly what you are saying.. a sub group to the majors section for employment questions... Last year we tossed around some ideas along those lines when an update to FI was being mulled around.. For a short time, we posted sticky threads asking for members opinions, but if you recall, we got nothing but a bunch of BS and websitemaster soon lost interest and pulled down the sticky threads and killed the project..

I would suggest.. highly suggest.. that members put their ideas down on the forum feedback area.. be to the point, not nasty, real ideas of what they would like to see.. and this is a good one...

thanks for the meaningful conversation about FI...

clr4

 

[RefugePilot]

I think the big thing here is turbine PIC. While in the current hiring atmosphere there may be a preference for jet time. At this moment there are a lot of people applying they can be picky. Unless the CFIs are going from the right seat of a 172 to the left of an ERJ, I think the smartest move would be to go where they can get into the right seat of a turbine powered aircraft that would move allow them to move to the left ASAP.