Regional to Fractional?

[Kingair1181]

Currently I am flying for a regional airline, but I am not sure if I want to stay in the 121 world. I have been debating on eventually making a switch to a fractional - NetJets, FlexJet, CitationShares, ect.

My question is do many pilots make the transition from regional to fractional? Would it be better to try to go fly for a Part 91 operation or charter before getting on with one of those companies? What are competitive flight times and do you need to know a pilot working for the company to walk your resume in? Anything else to know? Thanks.

 

[blueridge71]

I made the jump from regional to frac a couple of months ago. I'd say that about a third of my class was former regional airline pilots.

Don't worry about flying corporate or 135 first. It isn't an issue as far as I can tell. What is an issue is that you have a good attitude and a good customer service background.

Competitive times depend on the company. They are definitely higher than new hire regional times. The more time you have the better. If you meet - or are close to - the company's minimums, send your app in. The worst that they can do is say no.

Having someone walk your resume in never hurts, but isn't a requirement. I got my interview through a job fair.

 

[gunfyter]

Some people are refusing furlough recall to Major Airlines to stay at the Fracs.

Are you sure you want to stay at that Regional?

 

[Chewbacca]

I made the jump from ACA to CS 3 years ago, night and day difference. Ill be a frac pilot for a very long time. I love the sched, pay is decent, great flying. And no lame-o eppulets.

 

[cldsfr79]

I'm a furloughed regional pilot and I couldn't be happier at the fractionals. The regionals tend to beat up on their pilots and the pay is terrible. I now have the 7 on 7 off schedule, my vacation time is great, I fly ever where instead of the same airports over and over, and the pay (in my opinion) is great. I also feel like I have better job security over here. I don't think I will ever leave the fractionals. I would look into NetJets, they have the strongest position in the industry.

 

[el raton]

Frac are a good deal. Flown with a couple of guys from reg. and they like it.

 

[Go Fly]

Lots are doing it ...

I will never go back to a 121 operator. I made the jump from regional world to frac a year ago. Things have never been better. In fact, I had the opportunity to interview with Continental and turned it down to stay at NetJets. Why you ask? Even if you didn't I'll tell ya - job security, benefits, schedule, pay, no commuting, better flying, just to name a few.

Alright, all seriousness aside, at a frac odds are (right now) you won't be flying any heavy iron, when you are on the road your schedule can and usually does change on a minute to minute basis, you'd better be flexible, you're going to load bags, you're going to get passengers coffee, and you're going to clean airplanes. I know guys furloughed from the airlines that absolutely hate all these aspects of the job, when I suggest they go back they always say they can't afford the paycut since they'd be junior FOs, even at the majors. However, a majority of the pilots roll with the flow, understand that good customer service is part of the job, and generally enjoy the work they do.

If you meet the mins apply. Someone to carry your resume in is nice but not necessary. The transition from regional to frac isn't that difficult. If you get the interview make sure and ask the HR folks any question you have, at NetJets they seem to try to be as honest as they can. Also, at NetJets, they really want you to talk to line pilots if you get the opportunity. After the interview, if it doesn't sound like the job for you, just turn down the offer if one is made to you.

Good luck with whatever decision you make.

 

[DO-82 driver]

Regional to Fractional is possible if you leave your past behind you. Forget how you used to do things....If you get hired by NetJets you had better do it their way.

I don't care how your former company did things....if you want a long and profitable carreer here you had better learn to do it per the SOP's.

JUst had a very interesting tour with someone who couldn't give up their former way of doing things.....I'm still scratching my head on how to deal with it.

 

[bailey3083]

Currently I am flying for a regional airline, but I am not sure if I want to stay in the 121 world. I have been debating on eventually making a switch to a fractional - NetJets, FlexJet, CitationShares, ect.

My question is do many pilots make the transition from regional to fractional? Would it be better to try to go fly for a Part 91 operation or charter before getting on with one of those companies? What are competitive flight times and do you need to know a pilot working for the company to walk your resume in? Anything else to know? Thanks.

Training is alot faster then you are use to at the Regionals but if you work you can get thru it but other then that it is easy. I would have to ask like others why would you want to stay in the 121 world? If you are at the regionals you know that Mesa and Republic are racing to the bottom of the pay scales and with BK at the majors it is not the same. You will be secure in the fractional world and economic burps are easily rode thru compared to the airlines.

Bailey

 

[RNObased]

JUst had a very interesting tour with someone who couldn't give up their former way of doing things.....I'm still scratching my head on how to deal with it.

Pro Standands would be a start...