Regionals to Part 135

[dnkt]

Have a chance to go back to 135 and not commute. Im 8 months from upgrade at xjt considering two year upgrades hold up. Pay is better at the new gig and way less flying but your on call which isn't a big thing. For some reason I feel a need to stay at xjt and tough it out. Considering all the things happening at xjt, I don't want to make the wrong choice and be left in the dust if xjt goes down the tubes. Anyone ever make the jump?

 

[lindsaya99]

If you have any aspirations of going to the majors one day then hold out for the left seat. I've have made that jump to corporate/135 before and now I'm jumping back. Unless you're furloughed or on the verge of personal bankruptcy, you should never feel pressured to take another job. Corporate aviation is projected to only get bigger. There will always be plenty of Part 91/135 jobs for experienced pilots since insurance requirements will only continue to rise. The world might not instantly become a better place once you get 1000 hours PIC 121 but at least other job options in the industry will become available to you. Besides, if after you get that PIC time you decide to go corporate, you can always return to the airline world and bypass the regionals. If you leave now and decide to return, you are at the bottom of the list flying RJs again. You have to ask yourself, "Where do I want to be in 10 years." If the answer is with out a doubt, corporate, then leaving now might be the right thing to do. If that answer is flying for an airline-any airline, then stay put. Besides, I wouldn't believe too much of the gloom and doom surrounding XJT here on flightinfo. Its only rumors until they start parking aircraft.

 

[CoATP]

In 10 years I want to star in a Corona commercial.. The one where the cell phone gets thrown into the ocean. Actual first choice is to be born rich but parents are not cooperating.

 

[mdanno808]

You gotta do what you gotta do. I know lot's of guys who jumped back to 135 due to the commute, and the family problems associated with the schedule. No matter what you do, you'll probably end up kicking yourself in the end.

 

[V2plus25]

I jumped to 135 after 4 years at Beagle only because I could get right into the left seat on turbine equipment. It just depends on what corporate is offering. One thing to consider is that at XJT you'll fly way more per month than at most typical 135 jobs, so when you do upgrade you'll hit that 1000 turbine PIC more quickly.

 

[CheckandSet]

from experience! take the upgrade and hang out -- enjoy being a captain. I upgraded at skywest last year and left for a corporate capt job, but now I wish I would have stayed. Having a boss sucks, esp if he is a jackass and you find out to late! 135 is the same way for the most part.

 

[belchfire]

What kind of 135? Sked or non-sked? Turbine or piston? How stable is the company...

I know two people that left a turboprop 121 outfit for a 91 Lear gig. Both ended up coming back at the bottom of the seniority list...

 

[climbhappy]

I am laid off but looking at corporate , but for all the right reasons for me. like kids who just turned 10 and 13. You have to look at your own situation. you can get pros and cons here but nobody knows your life better than you.

 

[Superpilot92]

Have a chance to go back to 135 and not commute. Im 8 months from upgrade at xjt considering two year upgrades hold up. Pay is better at the new gig and way less flying but your on call which isn't a big thing. For some reason I feel a need to stay at xjt and tough it out. Considering all the things happening at xjt, I don't want to make the wrong choice and be left in the dust if xjt goes down the tubes. Anyone ever make the jump?

Everyone should be looking for that "better" job no matter where you are at. I am here at XJT with you since you said you are 8 months away i am going to guess i am senior to you so now you know my goal is NOT to get you to bail and bump me up. with that said I personally am always on the lookout for a better gig. I really like it here at XJT but right now this isnt my long term goal. So i am going to ride the XJT wave until something better comes along. I have a few connections i am working on but any job that i am looking at of course why be a step up the so called career ladder. My deal is when i find a job that allows me to be home more and make more money and increase career progression i will be all over it. Good luck and i think the 2 year mark might come down because now senior FOs have more of a reason to stay FOs for the Charter Pay and Home basing.

4 months away from the 2 year mark so we will see!:beer:

 

[Vspeeds]

Stay & Upgrade!

Have a chance to go back to 135 and not commute. Im 8 months from upgrade at xjt considering two year upgrades hold up. Pay is better at the new gig and way less flying but your on call which isn't a big thing. For some reason I feel a need to stay at xjt and tough it out. Considering all the things happening at xjt, I don't want to make the wrong choice and be left in the dust if xjt goes down the tubes. Anyone ever make the jump?

Like you said you are 8 months from upgrade, stick it out, bud. Get your upgrade you will be better off in the long run.
Depending on the 135 company, most 135 gigs are kinda "mom & pop" outfits with very little budget and a lotta cutting corners.
Also there is a "total disregard" for safety, maintenance and FARs and as far as you are concerned "you don't count"
You will have to deal with folks who proudly call themselves "dispatchers" but are actually "flight followers" (Salespeople) and have absolutely no clue about aviation. Their job is to push you to do stuff you don't want to & sell trips, so the bossman is happy.
Being on a pager sux big time so does commuting.

Good Luck!

 

[wahoo250]

If I were you I wouldnt listen to anyone just figure out what you want to do. if its to be home more you might want to bail. once you upgrade you are on the bottom again. and there is no reaching the top, unless you stick it out and retire. I left for a 91 gig. I havnt looked back. More money than i was making, better destinations,and a lot more time off. I havnt heard anyone complain about work since i left which is great. Plus its nice to see the places you visit and eat like a human. Downside...I fly when they want me to. Luckily, hasnt been bad, but i would try to talk to someone in the company you are looking at and check out the operation. you'll be able to tell right away by talking to employees and looking at the turnover rate. Another thing to consider is the equiptment. A 145 type isnt woth that much if the company goes belly up. If your flying a gulfstream or the like you just put finacial security in your own hands throughout your career. you'll never have to make 35K again, as long as your med holds up. Both have ups and downs, you have to pick whats the most important to you and base your decision on that.

 

[rattler]

With 8 months to upgrade, you may have a very good chance to hold charter FO. I would guess a lot of FO's senior to you will bypass to upgrade to CA. So fly 135 or fly 121 charter for a company with 100 mil in the bank. Not that 100 mil is a lot of money, but it's more than any "mom and pop" operation has. Not to mention the $18 override plus home basing might be appealing.

 

[wahoo250]

2nd yr fo is 32/hr (i think). 18 dollar overide isnt bad if the schedule is the same type. do you guys know what the schedules for the charter are going to be. I used to fly 90-95 a month. You may only get the 75hr guarantee with charter so in actuality you will not be making more money. However, you cant fly 90 hrs a month forever. I dont think I would leave for a mom and pop charter operation. NetJets or the like maybe, but charter can be real sketchy. If you want to do corp. you should pass resumes out to the part 91 operators in the area. Most of the time they run good operations and the pay is up there as well. If you have past Charter or Corp experience with airline training it may be a selling point for you.

 

[Superpilot92]

2nd yr fo is 32/hr (i think). 18 dollar overide isnt bad if the schedule is the same type. do you guys know what the schedules for the charter are going to be. I used to fly 90-95 a month. You may only get the 75hr guarantee with charter so in actuality you will not be making more money. However, you cant fly 90 hrs a month forever. I dont think I would leave for a mom and pop charter operation. NetJets or the like maybe, but charter can be real sketchy. If you want to do corp. you should pass resumes out to the part 91 operators in the area. Most of the time they run good operations and the pay is up there as well. If you have past Charter or Corp experience with airline training it may be a selling point for you.

second year is right about 34 + 18 for the overide = 52 an hour for he charter if your on 2nd year pay. Also the min guarantee is 90 hours for the charter flying. $4680 a month not counting perdiem = $56,160 a year for 2nd year charter FO. Thats alot more money then 2nd year line guys.

 

[wahoo250]

90 month guarantee makes the world of difference. i was not aware it was 90. I think its a good deal for someone over there. If i was there Id give it a try. Beats line flying which tends to be extremely boring. It sounds like a nice option to the regular Fayettville or New orleans turn. Dont count per diem as part of your pay. I know you stopped there but remember there is a cost to living like a normal human while being on the road and $38 in a 24 hour period is not cutting it, unless your Rachel Rae. I still dont want to fly 90 hrs a month however.

 

[blueridge71]

If you want a change of pace and get rid commuting, look at the fractionals. Upgrade is quick at many, quicker than for a junior regional Fo anyway. And you are treated much better.