What are my Chances?

[Going2Baja]

.....but in a "year" you upgraded to a KA200 to fly single pilot at say 1000-1200tt - who let you do this? Sounds a little fishy.

Why is it that so many people in the corporate world think that flying a turbine aircraft takes some kind of special magic? This isn't rocket science....Fact is turbine (turboprop or jet) are WAY easier and safer than pisten aircraft. Other than the cost of operation, learning in a jet would be easier than a piston.

Just my $0.02....

Baja.

 

[Going2Baja]

Oh yeah...to answer your question....Keep building your TT and keep your eyes open for a jet job, f/o or capt, and keep moving up the ladder. Be careful to choose good companies that are stable, have good rep's, and have upward movement. Good luck!!!

Baja.

 

[CJCCapt]

...with 1600 TT... 800 Multi...400 turbine pic...

If you apply to any of the top six or eight regionals with those times right now, you will have multiple offers. Take your pick...

 

[talespin]

I started flight school in April 2002 at 28 and finished in Dec. 03. I walked right into a job flying a Piper Chieftain single pilot and upgraded to a King Air 200 in less than a year. All this time is part 91 but its single pilot multi turbine with me calling all the shots. My question is what are my chances of making it to a Major without flying for a Regional or in other words part 121 or 135 time in my log book. I am still low time with 1600 TT and about 800 Multi and 400 turbine pic. but lets say in another 1000 to 1500 hours would I have a chance without the 121 time.

Sperfly,

Keep plugging away. Remember its a very small world in our business so don't piss anyone off if you can help it. Most importantly you need to network! Figure out where you want to go and network within that company. Right or wrong I've seen to many times, it's not what you know but who you know!!! Good luck!

 

[YourPilotFriend]

Seconding the guy who said it's who you know. having too much time coming into the 2007 hiring boom will work against you.

 

[Trogdor]

Are you guys saying that 2000 or so total time for him is too much time? I'd say get a good 1000 hours of turbine PIC under your belt, even if it is 91, then jump to a jet regional.

 

[V1 ROT8]

Sperfly--

Your career progression is very impressive so far... nice job. IMHO, going straight to a major with your turbine-time experience being turbo-prop only is possible, but you might have to compensate by having more total time than if you had 121 or jet experience. My class at SW had some guys with turbo-prop only turbine time, including me. The part that might work against (or at least not for) you is that almost all airlines work at least a two-person crew, and I think if they are going to hire a guy with prop-jet experience only, they would like to see a good amount of crew experience. If you are going to stay with your company, I'd see about flying the BE-350 (I think it requires a compliment of two). If you are going to leave and go to a regional, I'd recommend waiting until you have 1300 PIC turbine so you will have the required experience for FedEx and SW, as long as you are earning hours at your current job at a pretty good rate.

Good luck!
V1 ROT8

 

[sperfly]

I definitly thank you guys for the input. And I agree that flying turbine AC is much easier and safer than pistons I spent more time than I wanted to below 12000 in the Navajo with less weather avoidance equipment than whats in the KA200. As far as CRM goes I fly probably 70-80% single pilot and the rest I will carry a co-pilot along and do the whole CRM thing. Like I said I was just curious about my chances down the road I fell very lucky to be where I'm at so soon. My primary flight instructor spent more than 4 years instructing before he finally got to a regional, I only did it for 6 months and enjoyed every bit of it.

 

[Ty Webb]

sperfly....

It's all a crapshoot now a days.

Actually, I believe it's all ball bearings, nowadays.

But seriously-

I was a 135/91 guy who got hired at 35 with 3000tt. I have friends with similar experience but no 121 who got hired at SWA, JB, etc. The difference, to me, is that we had jet PIC time and crew time, and flew for operators with SOP's, CRM, etc. etc.

What I would recommend is keep on building that King Air time until you get 1000 turbine PIC. Then, find a jet job, preferably one that comes with a type rating. Now, at least, you're flying as part of a crew, in a jet, and hopefully doing a lot of networking along the way.

Good luck . . . . and you're not too old, not by a long shot.


.