Regional or Corporate/Charter? Trying to Decide...

[MarineGrunt]

I am headed off to Air Force (Guard) flight training in a few weeks and I am trying to decide which path to take when I get back. I know each option is mostly a matter of preference, but since I have little to no experience in the industry, I was wondering if I could get some advise based on things that are important to me. Of course, those things would be time with the family, pay, Turbine PIC time (eventually), and job stability.

I'm currently a ramper at SkyWest, so they would most likely be my choice of the regionals. There are also a small handful for corportate/charter companies I have some type of "in" with. SKYW appeals to me because of the quick time building and 3-4 year upgrade (so I hear). Corporate appeals to me because (again... I hear...) that it is a more stable job, and the starting pay is usually much more than a regional. Depending on the company, I might be at home more too.

So getting back to my question, based on what I think is important (family time being #1), what do you think it the best option for me??

Oh, BTW, when I get back from flight training, I will only have about 800-850TT, but about 300-350 will be multi-engine turbine time,10 of it PIC, 20 hrs heavy time and Beech 400 & 707 types. It's low time, but good time...

 

[DX Rick]

..

Doesn't that training last about 2-4 yrs? If so, why don't you just wait until your done and worry about it later. It will be a completely different industry

 

[MarineGrunt]

About a year and a half. I'm just trying to plan ahead is all...

 

[vetteracer]

Well, I would go to the regionals.

135/charter will require you to have a min of 1200 TT plus the other 135 mins. Unless you can find an sic gig in a jet. But there are plenty of charter guys ready to fill those seats.

By the way, what ANG unit are you going to?

Mark

 

[bobbysamd]

Low turbine time

[W]hen I get back from flight training, I will only have about 800-850TT, but about 300-350 will be multi-engine turbine time,10 of it PIC, 20 hrs heavy time and Beech 400 & 707 types. It's low time, but good time...

. . . which may not be that helpful immediately. The high-quality, military turbine time may not be quite enough to offset your total time deficit. You will still have low turbine PIC. Your type ratings, in the civilian hiring world, won't mean that much until you have time in type to back them up, though corporate or 135 freight might be possibilities.

Doesn't SkyWest still require 1000 total-100 multi? Your current employment at SkyWest might be helpful. SkyWest would be my choice if you can swing it. You are undoubtedly aware that pilot hiring at SkyWest is a tough nut to crack.

Hope that helps. Best of luck with UPT. Keep us updated.

 

[banned username 2]

What is your ultimate career goal?

If it is to fly for the "majors" then go to the regionals... It will offer you the best chance at attaining your goal... (notice I said "chance", remember there is no guaranteed career progression in aviation, just because you do all the "right" things doesn't mean you will end up where you want)...

If your goal is Corporate, then go to a Charter operation, this will offer you the best chance of attaining that goal... Charter will probably build time slower than a regional (however I was building 700 hours a year in King Airs, Lears and Falcons, when I flew charter), but it will be time that is desirable for a Corporate operator...

Hope this helps!

Good luck!

 

[MarineGrunt]

What is your ultimate career goal?

I'm in that long line of people hoping to get on with UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc...

But when it comes down to it, my ultimate goal is to be making decent cash, while spending a good deal of time at home. I've always been worried about going to the majors, getting furloughed, having to fling burgers and sending the wife out to work again just to scrape by.

Does anyone think that my flight times after training might be enough for an corporate/charter SIC job?

 

[vetteracer]

Quote

"Does anyone think that my flight times after training might be enough for an corporate/charter SIC job?"

SIC jobs in the charter world are usually filled by guys that already have 1200 plus hours and are trianing for an upgrade. No pay SIC gigs might be around.

Not to flame on you, you may not know the 135 mins.

1200 TT

500 CC

100 night

75 inst.

Without these met, you are not eligible to fly as PIC in anything under IFR. You can fly as PIC with less time under VFR.

Mark

 

[FN FAL]

this is either flame bait or college is putting out some real
-(winners) now days.

 

[MarineGrunt]

this is either flame bait or college is putting out some real
-(winners) now days.

Well, then maybe you would care to enlighten me...

 

[vetteracer]

I think we may have gotten off on the wrong foot.

Let’s start over.

I take it you want a good paying job that lets you be home with your family and allows you to enjoy your love of aviation. I would try to get a full time guard position with the unit that hired you when you get back.

I mentioned the 135 IFR minimums, which you will be well shy of when you get back from training.

Quote

"Oh, BTW, when I get back from flight training, I will only have about 800-850TT, but about 300-350 will be multi-engine turbine time, 10 of it PIC, 20 hrs heavy time and Beech 400 & 707 types. It's low time, but good time..."

That is great, you will have 30 hours of jet time and some types. You still do not have the 135 mins to be a captain. Maybe an SIC gig.



. It's low time, but good time..."

Time is time. How many Thunderstorms have you navigated around, how many ice covered runways have you had to negotiate? These are a few of the items that HOURS represent. And PIC time is valuable because that means you were the guy making the decision.

Competitive time at most charter gigs are 1500 TT / 300 ME.

Mark

 

[MarineGrunt]

That is great, you will have 30 hours of jet time and some types. You still do not have the 135 mins to be a captain. Maybe an SIC gig.

I know. I am also aware of
the 135 IFR minimums, thats why I asked about SIC. I meant that from the beginning, so perhaps I should have specified...

Time is time. How many Thunderstorms have you navigated around, how many ice covered runways have you had to negotiate? These are a few of the items that HOURS represent. And PIC time is valuable because that means you were the guy making the decision.

Competitive time at most charter gigs are 1500 TT / 300 ME.

I understand as far as "minimums", that time is time. I figured the quality of flight time might be taken into consideration. For example, you are hiring someone as SIC in your Beech 400... One applicant has 1500TT/300ME all pistion, mostly instructing... The other has only 850TT/400ME, but 350 turbine and a type in the airplane that you are hiring for. I think it's an obvious answer, but maybe I need to go back to college according to FNFAL....

 

[FlyingSig]

To steal a quote from a friend....


"Friends don't let friends fly charter"

 

[vetteracer]

Yes, I see your point, but what I was trying to convey is that at a charter operation, they already have pilots that are flying for them and are looking for jet time or maybe they are ready to upgrade. The norm is to upgrade from with in if possible. If you could find an operator looking for just what you described and hires you, you will sit as an SIC for a long time.

With your LOW ME PIC time you will have problems being insurable. For a larger company this may not be an issue with there blanket policies, but there you run into the first problem. The private guy looking for a permanent SIC will be what you find.

If I were in your shoes I would try like keck to get a full time ANG spot. Get your 1200 and build more PIC time flying charter or cargo on the side. Or some flight instruction.

By the way, what ANG unit are you with?

Mark

 

[MarineGrunt]

If I were in your shoes I would try like keck to get a full time ANG spot. Get your 1200 and build more PIC time flying charter or cargo on the side. Or some flight instruction.

By the way, what ANG unit are you with?

Mark

Thats the plan, but I hear it's pretty tough. Being a 2nd Lt, I have a feeling I'm the last in line. I'm with the 151ARW in SLC.

 

[Kaman]

Hello,

If I were in your position i would be much more concerned with attaining your AC (Aircraft Commander) status. In fact, it would be in your best interest to volunteer to stay on active duty with your guard unit for at least a year and fly as much as possible. With the current optempo you shouldn't have any trouble flying all you want. Not to mention the pay as a 1LT coming up on CAPT, pay will be a whole lot better than any entry level civilian job.
I'm rather surprised that you'll leave Altus with only 20 hours in model? I thought that the syllabus was much more involved than that? No matter, your primary focus should be taking UPT one-day at a time and not even think about any other flying. UPT will require 110% of your focus and effort. Finally, talk to the pilots in your unit and get their advice. I'm sure a lot of them would have some good advice for a new pilot trying to make his way up the ladder Good luck!

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead

 

[:-)]

Congratulations on the reserve gig. In general, corporate operators (the good ones that you'll be looking for) don't care for airline wannabees; airlines are much less prejudicial. If you go corporate first and don't like it, your previous corporate experience won't hurt you at an airline. If you go airline first then try corporate, you could find yourself forever branded an airline guy. Did I mention that corporate departments tend to avoid airline guys?

In my experience, the only area that an airline can offer more is in spousal benefits. IE, your spouse can travel for free if you're an airline guy. But, even that is not what it used to be.

I suspect that you'll end up doing what the rest of us did. You'll take the best job you can get at the time.

Good Luck

 

[MarineGrunt]

I'm rather surprised that you'll leave Altus with only 20 hours in model? I thought that the syllabus was much more involved than that?

Thats what I heard from another guy in my unit. Apparently there is a bunch of sim time on top of that.

Thanks for the replies...