Skywest or GLA upgrade?

[Ted Striker]

If you can hang out a little while longer, I'd get the upgrade and at least 1000 turbine PIC, then if you want to bolt. I think you'd be kicking yourself waiting for an upgrade somewhere else that may or may not happen. I don't know your exact situation and never worked at Lakes, so take it with a grain of salt. I have been a junior Captain for the last year and half, humping it on crap schedules trying to get to that 1000 hour easter egg. I will get it in March and then I can relax a bit. I could have gone to the 70 seat and held 3 on/4 off and just relaxed. You have to keep your eye on the prize. The 1000 will come qucker than you think. Good luck.

 

[Skyward]

You never know what job offers or lack there of are going to come in the future. So ask yourself where you would rather spend your career, Great Lakes or Skywest. Always plan on spending a career where you’re at, then if something better comes along great. Don’t let life pass you by while you’re planning your future.

 

[shamrock]

I agree with Ted, stay and get your 1000 PIC.

I left a 1900 job for a RJ with no PIC time and right now I question the move. I thought I would be better off as an RJ FO making more money than a 1900 captain and, if I had 1000 PIC, I would be. My thought at the time was, where would I want to be stuck if the industry tanked? My answer was on the RJ. Unfortunately, I am stuck now, but it's not because of the industry. Unless I leave for a 135 or 91 job (a possibility), I won't be getting PIC time any time soon, which doesn't leave me many options for advancement.

Don't get me wrong. I have a job with a good company making decent money and am better of than other less fortunate people, but I do feel like I have painted myself into a corner with the choice I made.

If possible, I would upgrade, get the PIC time, then move on. Getting the PIC won't necessarily help you, but not having it can definitely hurt you down the line. Just my $.02. I know it's a tough call.

 

[007]

I would agree with everyone else that you should stick with the PIC time.
A friend of mine had only 1900 PIC time, no jet no nothing and got hired by Delta.
The majors love 1900 PIC because:

1. No Autopilot
2. Never higher than 18.000ft, always in the crap
3. No Flight Attendant and you have to deal with the "Customers"personally.

You guys need to be a little nicer to each other, I can't believe how hotheaded you guys get over that little question.
In the end he has to make up his own mind anywho.

 

[wil]

I can't wait to be here when people finally wake up and smell the coffee!! 1000 Turbine PIC is the minimum that won't get you kicked out of the computer system but far from competitive in these times. Go to an Airline where you can hang your hat for a long time. The Majors are not hiring for a looooooong time and if USAir tanks you will need a lunar landing to compete with the 500 slots at the LCC's. Not being negative but realistic. Go to the interview!

 

[IP076]

The Majors are not hiring for a looooooong time

Last I checked Southwest, America West, ATA, Airtran, and Frontier were all Majors.

I'd say definately interview. You can always say no if you want.

(All though, I think it would be hard to say no to a job offer from Skywest, Comair, ASA...)

Getting that 1000 Turbine PIC is important. Remember, anything above the minimums is just that, above. I'd venture a guess that if you pulled a heck of an interview and seemed like the right person you'd get hired over someone with 8000 turbine PIC who seemed like a bump on a log.

Agreed, if USAir goes, it's going to be a different environment.

Would anyone that accomplished a lunar landing be under the age 60 rule? Last one was what, '72 or '73? Would have to have been 28 or 29... Guess it's possible.

 

[wil]

IOP- You are correct about those airlines are hiring, but my point still stands. Look at what the average civi new hire numbers are I'll bet more than 1000PIC Turbine!!

 

[350DRIVER]

Getting that 1000 Turbine PIC is important. Remember, anything above the minimums is just that, above. I'd venture a guess that if you pulled a heck of an interview and seemed like the right person you'd get hired over someone with 8000 turbine PIC who seemed like a bump on a log.

It is not just important it is extremely important, no one on the interview board is going to care if it was in a 1900 or something else. Many of the airlines like the 1900 drivers due to many reasons, biggest would probably be that they are sharp sticks since they have to hand fly all flights* because of a lack of autopilot and they are always in the wx. I would not put too much money into the philosophy of the "guy with more time" will always get hired over the one with less, not true at all... The interview is much much more than just "how much time" one has. Stay and get the PIC time, it would $uck to start all over again and spend another X amount of years back in the right seat.

3 5 0


( I do realize some of the models (a few) at Lakes do have the autopilot but not many)

 

[Midlifecrisis]

Tough choice

As someone who went though GLA groundshcool in 6/01 only to be sent away along with 40 others in training because they'd overestimated their needs I have a little experience with the GLA company mindset. However, the pilots were/are all first rate. Of those 19 others in my class at GLA, I think 10, including myself are now at SkyWest.

You need to decide what's important to you: Living for the future, or enjoying the journey. I've done both in this career and in another. These days it's about the journey for me.

Take the interview, do your best and worst case you then have to make a difficult decision. But oh the horror! In this day and age of the airline industry to have more than one job opportunity? Count your lucky stars.

Last thought: Seniority is everything in the airline world. The sooner you start at the next airline (perhaps not your dream job, but a much better job) the sooner you can have the benefits of seniority like a nice line or upgrade, etc. Life's too short to not enjoy every day.

MLC

 

[Obi-Wan]

The majors love 1900 PIC because:

1. No Autopilot
2. Never higher than 18.000ft, always in the crap
3. No Flight Attendant and you have to deal with the "Customers"personally.
:

This is not true. I flew the 1900D and I'm flying the RJ now. Training for and flying the RJ is far more challenging than the B1900. The 1900 sytems is a cake walk and it flies like a Baron or the seneca, just a little faster. The work load in the RJ is much higher during climb and descent. You have to be well ahead of the AC in the RJ where you can slow down the 1900 and pretty much do anything. The ERJ is a really nice plane but just not as forgiving as the 1900. The Auto pilot is a challenge to itself, it has to be used properly. When hand flying you just think and do.Pilots that have flown both types know what I'm talking about. Dont believe in the myth.