SIC at regional or PIC Twin Prop

[Ward]

Need opinions from the folks at national airlines and up...

I haven't flown 121 for a bit over a year but have > 6700 TT, >5000 CRJ and >1500 CRJ PIC.

I need to get myself current and am trying to decide between SIC at another regional (that may or may not have a training contract) or flying as PIC as a CFI and corporate pilot in a Baron and a Cessna 340.

So for the purposes of applying to > regional, what is your opinion?
1. PIC Part 91 twin prop
2. SIC Part 121 regional jet

Let's assume pay isn't a factor...it's just getting back into the swing of things.

I'm leaning towards option 1 as PIC since I have the magical 1500 jet PIC.

Appreciate the opinions.

--Ward

 

[General Lee]

Need opinions from the folks at national airlines and up...

I haven't flown 121 for a bit over a year but have > 6700 TT, >5000 CRJ and >1500 CRJ PIC.

I need to get myself current and am trying to decide between SIC at another regional (that may or may not have a training contract) or flying as PIC as a CFI and corporate pilot in a Baron and a Cessna 340.

So for the purposes of applying to > regional, what is your opinion?
1. PIC Part 91 twin prop
2. SIC Part 121 regional jet

Let's assume pay isn't a factor...it's just getting back into the swing of things.

I'm leaning towards option 1 as PIC since I have the magical 1500 jet PIC.

Appreciate the opinions.

--Ward

You do have the magical PIC number, 1500 should be enough. Now just get current and fly something that keeps you current. It shouldn't be a traffic watch C152, but a twin prop should be good enough. Going back to SIC at a regional isn't a must to get a job. But, you do need to stay current in something complex I would say. A twin prop does that. Good luck!


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Dash Power]

This is always a good question. And you will always get varied opinions.

If you are interested in getting into the major airlines your resume will look better if you are flying for a regional. But doing anything is always better than nothing.

Best of luck.

 

[General Lee]

This is always a good question. And you will always get varied opinions.

If you are interested in getting into the major airlines your resume will look better if you are flying for a regional. But doing anything is always better than nothing.

Best of luck.

So corporate pilots don't get on with major airlines? I have heard of cases of Major airlines not hiring regional pilots from their own regionals because it could poach them away and cost more to the bottom line. That is not always the case, but it probably has occurred. I think if you already have the PIC turbine, and there is a good reason you left your previous employer (BK or furlough etc), then staying current on something complex is a good course of action. Getting a desk job for 3 years is not.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[CesnaCaptn]

He said it would "look better" flying for a regional. He didn't say "corporate pilots don't get on with the major airlines."

 

[jonjuan]

This is always a good question. And you will always get varied opinions.

If you are interested in getting into the major airlines your resume will look better if you are flying for a regional. But doing anything is always better than nothing.

Best of luck.

And whatever lee says to do, do the opposite as he's a career FO who's family likes him overseas as much as possible.

 

[jonjuan]

He said it would "look better" flying for a regional. He didn't say "corporate pilots don't get on with the major airlines."

That's his comprehension problem.
"FO Lee, let's see the gear."
"Yes, sir Captain, sir."
"I didn't mean for you to pull out YOUR gear. What IS wrong with you?"

 

[Dash Power]

So corporate pilots don't get on with major airlines? I have heard of cases of Major airlines not hiring regional pilots from their own regionals because it could poach them away and cost more to the bottom line. That is not always the case, but it probably has occurred. I think if you already have the PIC turbine, and there is a good reason you left your previous employer (BK or furlough etc), then staying current on something complex is a good course of action. Getting a desk job for 3 years is not.


Bye Bye---General Lee

Let me provide the OP's quote:

I need to get myself current and am trying to decide between SIC at another regional (that may or may not have a training contract) or flying as PIC as a CFI and corporate pilot in a Baron and a Cessna 340.

The General just has to feel he is the smartest guy in the room.

As an experience member of SWA's interview team I stand by my answer.

 

[General Lee]

And whatever lee says to do, do the opposite as he's a career FO who's family likes him overseas as much as possible.

Hey, I called 25 min ago for you to dump the lavs, and it's still not done. Put on your gloves and face guard and get it done!


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[Whataburger]

FO at Regional.

If I had to choose between two applications, and one was a Regional FO and one was flying a 340, I could choose the Regional FO everytime. As a Regional FO, you are doing the same job you are applying for.

 

[General Lee]

That's his comprehension problem.
"FO Lee, let's see the gear."
"Yes, sir Captain, sir."
"I didn't mean for you to pull out YOUR gear. What IS wrong with you?"

Huh? Talk about problems, you've got them, primarily supreme jealousy. It's obvious.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[General Lee]

FO at Regional.

If I had to choose between two applications, and one was a Regional FO and one was flying a 340, I could choose the Regional FO everytime. As a Regional FO, you are doing the same job you are applying for.

Look at his previous work. He has 1500 PIC in a CRJ, and lots of SIC time in that plane too. He already did that. If he has a good reason for not being at his previous job now, then continuing to fly in a complex a/c should be enough. But, you can have your own opinion, that's fine.



Bye Bye----General Lee

 

[General Lee]

Let me provide the OP's quote:



The General just has to feel he is the smartest guy in the room.

As an experience member of SWA's interview team I stand by my answer.

Well hopefully he doesn't want to go to SWA, the flying is a lot like a regional even if the pay is not.


Bye Bye---General Lee

 

[fam62c]

This is just a thought but since you have good total time, Part 121 experience and 1500 total PIC the Part 91 job might allow you to have the option of going to an airline as well as making contacts in the Part 91 world and maybe finding a good corporate position. You didn't say why you left the airlines (or flying altogether) but you will need to explain that. If the answer is your company went out of business or you got furloughed there is obviously no problem. The answer to your question is a tough one, I'm not sure there is a right answer. Good luck with whatever you choose to do, I'm sorry some people here had to take your thread and turn it into another Delta Vs. SW argument.

 

[Boxboy]

That's his comprehension problem.
"FO Lee, let's see the gear."
"Yes, sir Captain, sir."
"I didn't mean for you to pull out YOUR gear. What IS wrong with you?"

Or did the capt say, "boy, is that your second belly button?".

I digress.... I'd choose Regional time.

 

[CA Calypso]

Every thread the General contributes to degenerates into this. What do you gain by putting words into peoples' mouths or the constant swipes at SWA?

 

[Twisted Mind]

I would say 340. It will be a new adventure. You may learn some things that you wouldn't if you went back to the same old airline gig. Maybe you will run into a corporate gig that would make Delta look like a really bad deal.

 

[IBNAV8R]

IMHO, it's six of one, half a dozen of another.

You have the boxes filled. No telling what the decision-maker is thinking. Maybe her husband ran off with a Baron owner. Maybe he thinks RJs are the scourge of the industry (even though he flew one for 6 years).

I'd go with the job that I'd be most happy with in the mean time.

 

[Ward]

This is always a good question. And you will always get varied opinions.

If you are interested in getting into the major airlines your resume will look better if you are flying for a regional. But doing anything is always better than nothing.

Best of luck.

Dash,

Yeah that's the $64k question. Considering the hiring that's bound to take place shortly (or so we think???), would your opinion change if the regional job had a two-year training contract for $20,000 (pro rated)?

--Ward

 

[Ward]

FO at Regional.

If I had to choose between two applications, and one was a Regional FO and one was flying a 340, I could choose the Regional FO everytime. As a Regional FO, you are doing the same job you are applying for.

Burger,

I'll ask you the same as Dash...since I already have 11 years experience at a regional, would your opinion change if returning to a regional required a two-year training contract worth $20k?

I've done the airline thing and based on zero accidents or major incidents, I think rather well. I would think flying a 340 and/or Baron would be a bit more challenging for airmanship but I understand what you're saying about "doing the same job."

Thank you for the opinion.

--Ward

 

[Ward]

This is just a thought but since you have good total time, Part 121 experience and 1500 total PIC the Part 91 job might allow you to have the option of going to an airline as well as making contacts in the Part 91 world and maybe finding a good corporate position. You didn't say why you left the airlines (or flying altogether) but you will need to explain that. If the answer is your company went out of business or you got furloughed there is obviously no problem. The answer to your question is a tough one, I'm not sure there is a right answer. Good luck with whatever you choose to do, I'm sorry some people here had to take your thread and turn it into another Delta Vs. SW argument.

Fam,

You're right that this GA opportunity could open other doors, but moving on to a larger airline where it's less of a flight and more of a voyage (which is what I thought about my first DH to MCO from CVG on a 767 as a new FO a million years ago...and yes, it is a bit hokey) has always been the goal.

I took my airline's buy-out some time ago to spend time with my family before returning to the industry (or so I hope). I'm not sure how that will be viewed, but if negatively, that's ok...having that quality time with family was the most important.

Thanks.

--Ward

 

[waveflyer]

Another consideration- I imagine you're trying to get current so you can pursue a Major airline job-
Those are 121 carriers and Dash is 110% right, and the delta recruiter will tell you the same- more 121 time is better than 135 or 91.
But also consider the ability to jumpseat.
Assertively going after a major job means job fairs, flying out to make contacts with people you only know through friends and family- interview and sim prep, informal meet & greets with chief pilots, interviewing even-
It all gets a lot easier with a 121 ID you can jumpseat with

 

[Ward]

IMHO, it's six of one, half a dozen of another.

You have the boxes filled. No telling what the decision-maker is thinking. Maybe her husband ran off with a Baron owner. Maybe he thinks RJs are the scourge of the industry (even though he flew one for 6 years).

I'd go with the job that I'd be most happy with in the mean time.

IB,

Yeah, that would be my luck. Course it seems like someone is running off with someone else in this industry. imp:

--Ward

 

[Dash Power]

Burger,

I'll ask you the same as Dash...since I already have 11 years experience at a regional, would your opinion change if returning to a regional required a two-year training contract worth $20k?

I've done the airline thing and based on zero accidents or major incidents, I think rather well. I would think flying a 340 and/or Baron would be a bit more challenging for airmanship but I understand what you're saying about "doing the same job."

Thank you for the opinion.

--Ward

Ward,

Try and objectively put yourself in the seat of the interviewer considering these questions. You have one guy that is currently an FO on an RJ with these qualifications and another with the equal qualifications flying a piston driven twin. You can choose only one.

Who would you rather hire and fly with?

 

[say again]

Ward,

Try and objectively put yourself in the seat of the interviewer considering these questions. You have one guy that is currently an FO on an RJ with these qualifications and another with the equal qualifications flying a piston driven twin. You can choose only one.

Who would you rather hire and fly with?

The one with the better personality, seriously!! :beer:

 

[CesnaCaptn]

I'd be more interested in what the story was. What happened that this applicant went from RJ captain to FO at a regional or a piston driver? Did his previous company going out of business or was it something else?

 

[Joblu]

You do have the magical PIC number, 1500 should be enough. Now just get current and fly something that keeps you current. It shouldn't be a traffic watch C152, but a twin prop should be good enough. Going back to SIC at a regional isn't a must to get a job. But, you do need to stay current in something complex I would say. A twin prop does that. Good luck!


Bye Bye---General Lee

I agree in a couple years all you will need is a pulse.

 

[Whine Lover]

If you already have 6700 TT, >5000 CRJ and >1500 CRJ PIC.
as a regional jet driver, I don't think a few more ( years or hours ) is going to make a helluva lot of difference to a potential employer.

You've more than proven you can operate that equipment in the 121 / crew environment.

I am assuming, that the corporate twin is going to pay you about 2-3 times what regional F/O pays with a better schedule, better benefits, more time at home and probably no commute.

No brainer.... QOL rules in this case.

If you had NO previous regional experience the answer might be different, but if I understand the situation correctly you have already "been there, done that."

No sense in doing it again and screwing up your bank account and home life for another "X" amount of years....and who in heck KNOWS how many that could be?

The hands on the clock only turn one way....enjoy your life now flying your twin and add another facet of experience to your log books while applying furiously and relentlessly to any decent airline that happens to be hiring...


Whine

P.S. - I never flew for a regional. Never even applied. Went from a 900hr C-152 / CFI to a 116,000 lb ,121, four engine turboprop driver. 15 years in Boeings and then attempted retirement after my airline went T.U. Watched my friends go to regionals for 20k a year, for whatever reasons..." staying current", "121 flying " blah-blah-blah. 2 1/2 years later, without having flown anything over that time, and I walked into a 747 job.

"Regional, Schmegional." Not that there's anything WRONG with that...

 

[IBNAV8R]

. . . any decent airline that happens to be hiring.

That's funny right there.

 

[Whine Lover]

Yeah....unfortunately, there AREN'T any....in this country anyway.




WL