Phxdvt17

My buddy who is a captain at a 121 major had a guy from a 121 regional in the jump seat the other day who was telling him that majors are not counting turbo prop pic time one for one anymore (was news to my friend who is already at a major). I know I've heard many boards say that without glass/fms time that you're not competitive these days, but never this.

I will also say that this particular jump seater was also a recruiter for that particular regional, and they were talking about my situation as a part 135 BE99/1900 guy in the left seat building my turbine PIC time that way.

Anyone else heard other talk about this?

rickair7777

TPIC without glass/jet time is probably not going to do the trick anymore. Maybe at SWA?

But if you have TPIC and also some jet time, even as SIC, that's probably good if not great.

TPIC = ability to command

Jet/glass time = ability to complete training on a jet

e6bpilot

Sounds like a solid piece of information from a super credible source.
I think the guys in the airlines doing the hiring are smart enough to know that some turboprop time is better than others. Keep getting those boxes checked and you will get the call.
I have never seen anyone have trouble going from steam gauges to glass given a normal training syllabus. It ain't hard. Once you learn to use it to increase your SA and know enough to not let it decrease your SA when it is time to fly the plane, you are money.

Swedish Blender

Being a 135 guy will probably make it a little tougher. Since you're building TPIC, I would get 1500-2000 hours and then look at the 121 world.

Not sure how things are now, but I was hired at 2 desirable places (although the last was 8 years ago) with only TP PIC.

JamesNoBrakes

A friend of a stewardess who know's a real life captain said that they are going to certify all 121 airplanes single-pilot starting in in January.

ackattacker

Every airline and recruiter has somewhat different standards, but I personally know several folks (myself included) that where hired recently at a legacy or major with nothing but turboprop PIC time. If anything, standards are going down, not up, these days.

I also personally know several folks who came over from corporate or 135 straight to a legacy or major, and never flew for a regional.

Life is hard for a recruiter for a regional airline these days. Not surprised they are resorting to the hard sell. That said, BE99/BE1900 time alone is certainly not as good on a resume as 121 Jet. But it checks the box, and if you are good at networking, have good recommendations, and interview well it could very well be enough.

satpak77

Interesting, I know a guy who got recently hired at SWA and another at DAL, within ??? last 24 months, who had ZERO JET time and all turbine PIC was logged in turboprops

no glass either, unless a SF340's EFIS-85 is "glass" by 2014 standards

non-military, yes college

Phxdvt17

I appreciate all the input, especially JamesNoBrakes, your input was the most beneficial of all.

I feel that there are ways to bridge the gap like getting a type in a "pure jet". However, then you may run into the question of "no time in type, your first choice must be xxx airline".

A big hole I found in this was that many regionals, and 135 operators fly large turbo props (Q400, EMB-120' etc...). So unless you're forced to fly these Acft by the operator, why would one even choose to fly one. Many young pilots rely on these types to get their time.

JamesNoBrakes

If there is a company that "won't look at you unless you have turbojet PIC" then you want to avoid such a company, as their screwed up HR department that doesn't consider the "full person" is probably indicative of their entire company. Pilots tend to get tunnel vision of "what's important", thinking that the only way to get with a major airline is to get "under-wing-jet-time" in a E175 for a 121 operator. This is ridiculous, and yes they are looking for "experience", but pilots start splitting hairs like crazy trying to build the "one thing they are looking for", at least in their view. There are lots of things that could be indicative of a pilot's competency and ability beyond "jet PIC" and any decent company and HR department operates in just this way. If they don't, it opens them up to lawsuits and other issues. Usually this "heard from another pilot" stuff is worthless. HR are the ones in control here.

rickair7777

Should have mentioned before, SKW Brasilia check airmen are definitely getting hired by legacies. Some of them had jet time as FO's, some did not.

Not sure if that extends to 135 beech 1900 check airmen (ie lakes).

Based on that I would say that 121 check airman time is better than anything but quality mil time. But from a career planning perspective it might be risky to hang your hat on that...check airmen slots are not awarded by seniority, there's no guarantee you'll ever get one.