which job to take

[lownslow]

hey folks,

I've got a few things stirring right now: 1) LR25/35 part 135 SIC-executive charter/air ambulance-alot of flying-domestic & international-good money-type rating w/in 2yrs of employment/possible upgrade to captain in 2yrs maybe 3 depending on movement, economy, etc...
2) CE402 captain-part 135 charter-'fun flying'- competitive pay-multi-PIC!
3) CE208 captain-part 135 NIGHT FREIGHT-scheduled-less pay-not-so-good location- respected flying

I have my ATP, just over 1500 hrs, 682 total multiengine but 162 hours of multi. PIC. 518 multi as metroliner SIC. I'm really leaning towards the Lear 25/35 SIC job but the CE402 job will build multi PIC. and the caravan night freight job sucks but is respected flying experiece. Sorry to write a book here, but I would appreciate some advice on which way to go- Thanks in advance

 

[banned username 2]

I'd go with choice #1 myself

 

[pilotyip]

none are bad choices

I would go with option 2 or 3, option 2 gives you MEL pic, option 3 gives you turbine PIC, best bet is to go with the first offer, the old bird in the hand story. Freind of mine, ex USAirways, 10K hours, 450 MEL PIC, 8500 121 turbo jet SIC, coud not apply at a number of airlines because he did not have his 1000 turbin PIC. That 1000 turbin PIC is a pretty important number to get on your resume.

 

[rice]

Gotta make a couple assumptions here

First I'll assume your a fairly young person and second I'll assume your ultimate goal is to fly a jet as PIC (be it 91, 121, or 135).

With that in mind, the best advice I could give is take the Lear job!!!
Previous jet jobs are usually the fastest way to better jet jobs. Sure there are plenty of guys who go from turboprops (freight or pax) to good jet jobs. But a couple years in the right seat of a lear is great experience and will show that you've been working and learning in the same type of operation. Plus most guys will know that if you've managed to handle all the challenging characteristics and gotchas of the Lears (especially the 20's) you should have no problem when moving up to newer/bigger equipment.

Good Luck with whichever you choose!

 

[justApilot]

What is your ultimate goal in aviation? My 2 pennies aren't worth much, but here goes. Skip the 402, that experience will only qualify you for what you are looking at right now....the Lear Sic job or 208 job. Unless you want to be a freight doggie, skip the 208. Unless of course that company also flies jets and there is an oportunity to advance to the jet. I think the best bet is to take the Lear job. The money, type and 2 year upgrade sound right. And if things don't go as planned, there is so much valuable networking in the bizjet world it is easy to find something that fits you and your goals.

 

[El Duderino]

Its kinda funny to me that you have 1500 and around 650 in the Metro. Did you pay for that time? Seems like it. More power to you if you didn't.
Dude

 

[snoopy_1]

Hey rice, that's a beauty avater.

 

[Be200pilot]

El Duderino Its kinda funny to me that you have 1500 and around 650 in the Metro. Did you pay for that time? Seems like it. More power to you if you didn't.

dont assume that everybody with low time AND turbine time payed for a job. Sometimes people get lucky, and I'd rather be lucky than good any day.

 

[rice]

Thanks!!!

Hey rice, that's a beauty avater.

Now if I could only get the CP to hire her life would really be good.

And for all you feminists (or those just exceptionally in touch with your feminist side) that was a joke.

 

[captxxx]

Do the Lear! Get the Upgrade! Only time that counts is Turbine(T/Jet &/or T/Prop)PIC and revisit this issue with 1000 PIC Turbine & ATP w/LR Type, 3 to 4 years from now. NO TYPE after 3 years=EXIT stage right!(Just keep that under raps though-specifically from the Lear employer and fellow pilots)

 

[eddie]

QOL on turbojet air ambulance can be rough. If you want a life, make sure that the employer gives you hard days off each month.

 

[avpro91]

i'd take the lear job. I flew freight for over a year and wouldnt trade that experience for anything. but after doing it, id nere do it again because workign nights sucks. The lear time is valuable time. the turbine pic time is SINGLE engine time. Youll be getting the turbine pic in the lear in no time. if youre young, you can afford to hang there for a few years and pay your dues in the right seat..it'll pay off in the long run. besides if you get a type out of it youll wont have too much trouble finding a job when you get furloughed.

 

[WhiteCloud]

With the C208 you won't get ME time. With the 402 you wont get turbine/jet time. With the Lear you get ME Jet and crew coordination flying an airplane that flys about as high and as fast as it gets. It's great that you have opportunities to choose from! I hope this is a trend for us all.

 

[MooseTrax]

Da Lear

Lear Job!
Regards,

 

[EMU]

I'd go with the Lear job!

Regards,

EMU

 

[Detroitpilot]

I find myself in a similar situation, but without any interviews scheduled yet. I'll pile on with everyone else here and say the Lear job for all the reasons everyone's already mentioned. The 402 would be my choice 2, and the Caravan last. Regards!

 

[captainv]

the Lear, definitely.

my Lear SIC time got me hired at Comair. although I did have my type, i only had about 150 jet PIC. they really didn't care because i had 1000 hours in a jet. some might talk about 1000 turbine PIC being the key, but in today's market the real deal is 121 turbine PIC, not 135 or 91 flying.

 

[TxPilot0878]

I don't think so TIM!

This isn't a bash...so let's not get started. But the "REAL DEAL" or key is Turbine PIC!

CaptainV...if that is your standpoint...tell my buddy he screwed up by building his turbine PIC time through 135 On-Demand...I am sure he will gladly give up the 121 job he just started flying for a dam n good airline....due to his 1000+ Turbojet PIC...oh yeah and he is only 27!

Tex

Lownslow.....take the LEAR!!!

 

[captainv]

TxPilot0878,

no, not meant as a slam at all, although i said it poorly. 1000 turbine PIC will still open a lot of doors, but i think you'll find increasingly that it won't get you on at a major. i know airtran requires 500 121 PIC now, and i believe others have followed suit.

if your friend got a job at a major with his experience, my hat's off. my only point was i got a great job at a regional with turbine SIC time, my PIC time wasn't much of a factor either way. for me, it'll be 121 PIC time that allows me to advance my career...

 

[TxPilot0878]

No Prob!

Captainv, I just wanted to clarify for Lownslow that 121 is not mandatory or his only option,...but I agree if the choice was 135 or 121 even for an extra year to upgrade then 121 would be the way to go. But if 135 is the only offer on the table then it would be assinine to hold out for a couple of years for 121.

Regards,

Tex