Turbine time question

[bobbysamd]

Decisions . . .

Its gonna be a tough one when it comes time to decide, I have plenty of time for now though.

Keep us updated on your decision, which, I hope, will be to take the job, and how it works out.

Good luck!

 

[typhoonpilot]

On a side not - Typhoon pilot, why exactly is B-737 sic experience considered any more valuable than RJ sic?

I'll answer, but I don't want this thread to turn into something else so lets just leave it after this. The comment was in regards to what airlines that I have experience with would like to see. In other words what makes a person competitive for certain airlines. My present airline doesn't give RJ pilots the time of day, they want guys with time in aircraft over 55,000 Kilograms. With 3000 hours of 737 SIC time one would have a serious shot at my airline but with 3000 hours of RJ PIC time they wouldn't pay attention. Not my rules and not how I would do it, but that is how it is. I've tried very hard to help a friend with over 10,000 total hours and lots of RJ PIC and check airman time get an interview and they just don't invite him.

So my comments in response to the original question stand. For someone wanting a career in the States the RJ PIC time is more valuable but if I had to choose over RJ SIC and 737 SIC I woud choose 737 SIC anyday of the week because it will open more doors.

Typhoonpilot

 

[Kingairrick]

On a side not - Typhoon pilot, why exactly is B-737 sic experience considered any more valuable than RJ sic?

Because chicks will say; "Oh, you stil fly the little ones?" If you're in the RJ.

 

[Pickle]

I got hired at my present job for probably two reasons. One, an OUTSTANDING internal recommendation. Two, about 3000 hours of international experience in a 727. I think the rec got me the interview, and I (and my flight time) got me the job offer. Yes, PIC is very very important, but SIC in a large jet doing some challenging things is pretty good time too. Vaya con Dios, amigo!!

 

[Pickle]

One other thing.....

newmei asked: "With a 737 type would I be able to log PIC time? Or is that fishy because I am never actually the PIC even though I hold the type."

No way. Don't log PIC unless you are actually the captain. Sole manipulator doesn't count here. I am typed on the 757 but am only a lowly FO, so I can't log PIC. Heck, even on a flight with an IO (relief pilot, movie critic, eater, etc) in the left seat and the captain sleeping in the back only one person gets to log PIC, and it isn't either of the ones awake in the cockpit.

 

[AAsRedHeadedbro]

Thank you for the answer, Typhoon.

 

[Los]

Hi MEI,

congrats on your job offer. I hope you take it and are happy with it. Send me a PM if you can. I would like to know more details about this activity.

What kind of pay?
I am sure that the low cost of living will offset any low salary they offer you, however will you be able to save up enough to make a move back to the US.

Any possibility of a Commute?
ie low cost tickets via interline agreements and schedule that would make it feasible to come back like two weeks on week off, etc.

Like everyone else has mentioned and from your own CFI experience you sould reference that the pilot at the controls PIC time is an FAA definition and applies toward seeking ratings however companies evalaute it very differently. Some companies choose to hire F-16 and AV-8 Harrier pilots when neither aircraft is heavy nor multi, it is just the 'quality' of the flight time as most of the guys who flew these and got Airline jobs
told me.

As soon as I got my commercial I canvased several foreign carriers because I knew most of them had Ab-Intio training and hired pilots with lower times. What I found through talking with large numbers of pilots, researching, and word of mouth is listed below.

Venezuela
currently lots of political unrest due to Chavez, same thing happened with him in early 90s, climate could change rapidly forcing you to evacuate and leave you job.
1) Avensa - primeire airliner in country, intl flights, inroads via Venezuelan AF
2) VIASA - in and out of bankruptcy could be desperate for pilots but not a sure thing
3) AEROPOSTAL - ditto above
4) LASER - met several foreign pilots, not sure how they got in though

Columbia
play at your own risk, long standing civil war and gurillas find Americans a tasty ransom

1) AVIANCA - met an guy who claimed he was offered a job after meeting Chief of Pilots or someone ranking in the company while they were doing re-current training in US
2) ACES - met two french (or candian) and three german pilots working here.
3) Alianza - web site and contact info for this company was not updated, stoped my search there.

Panama
Better enviroment than most areas in region due to their climitization of Americans and US culture from the long occupation of last century.

COPA - All the pilots I met from this company were Panamanians, old, and were tight-lipped about how to get into the company, sort of the Capts at the US Majors.

GRUPO TACA - The first three pilots I met from this company had all flown for Mexican AF.

CHILE - Stable culture , cold climate.
Lan Chile - met an American pilot who wokred for Lan Chile and kept a house in the US. He was retired military pilot and his wife was Chilean who also had a brother working for the company. I figure this guy was not strapped for cash and benifited from his family relationship, along with the military experience he had.

BWIA - stingy, look elswhere

AirJam - need to be a Jamaican citizen

EUROPE
Both EAST and WEST block countries all EXPORT pilots (most with military experinece), they never IMPORT, especially Americans, didn't have to look long to find this out.

Africa
Met a guy whose dad flew for a company in Saudi Arabia and made a ton of cash. I looked up some ads I found in different places looking for Capts to fly with their homegrown FOs, this seemed odd since it is the opposite of what most other countries were looking for.

FAR EAST REGION
Decent pay (pilot salary in US $$) is quickley neutralized by high cost of living. Can be extremely inconvenient if you dont have a background in ASIAN culture or at least willing to take on a rapid learning and understanding of it. Perks are extremely low crime rate. Another negative so I have heard is that you will need to spend full contract time in country no opportunity to commute or visit home.

Singapore - met Americans and Britans who worked for the company but came up with dead ends trying to follow their links.

JAL/JAL STORY - Ab Intio (had) hefty premiums and good recommendations and other stringent requirements needed to get your foot in the door. Also less desireable benifits regarding
time off, travel opportunity to visit home.

All Nippon Airway (ANA) - Same as above in a different wrapper.

AUSTRALIA
If I remeber correct you need to be a citizen to fly for hire there, also need to convert licenses and Communication lingo to fly with success. met several guys both aviation and non-avaiation who migrated there with no regrets, they say the place is heaven on earth, and a low cost of liveing to boot.