MtnGrl

I am interested in switching gears from bush flying and fires to cargo or a regional airline. I have 5000 hours, 1600 SIC turboprop, no ATP and live in the NW. Does anyone have a recommendation?

Birdstrikes

Get the ATP done first and foremost. Southern is hiring for the B737 if you do not mind commuting to CVG. Opportunities abound......two more captain/check airmen types just left for greener pastures (in their minds).

gringo

sug·ar·coat
ˈSHo͝oɡərˌkōt/
verb
make superficially attractive or acceptable.
Get your ATP. Or find a regional that will give you one. Find a regional with a flow through, and one that has a base close to where you live. Most good regionals these days are offering "retention bonuses" that would bring your pay up to on par with what you'd be making at Suddern Air, minus the mind-numbingly horrendous commute into CVG (just spend about 5 minutes reading the "Suddern Air" thread; it more than sucks, it downright blows.)

As soon as you get your ATP, start applying at the majors. Judging from your screen name, you're a woman, so you have an automatic advantage; I know of at least one Delta new hire with zero PIC time. YoNited will prolly pick you up as well, and there are a few regionals with flow programs into American.

Unless you're ready to move to CVG, do not take the 737 position. The commute is miserable, and not worth the paltry compensation you'd get for flying a Jurrasic era Guppy. Furthermore, "opportunities abound" at Suddern Air... IF you have the proper qualifications. (Jet time, X amount of hours with the company, etc etc). YOU do not meet those qualifications for the fast upgrade on the Guppy; reference the aforementioned Suddern Air thread and you'll discover you'll likely be sitting in the right seat of the Guppy for a minimum of two years before you meet the company minimums to upgrade.

hoover

Go to horizon.

CaptainCarl

Thanks for the laugh, I needed that.

I've heard this from more than one person. Read the Southern Air thread carefully before diving in.

For the PNW, definitely try Horizon plus any of the Legacies.

Of course, this is my obligatory plug for Empire. ATR openings in ANC and SEA (plus other places outside of the NW). Caravan openings in ANC and GEG. Shoot me a PM if interested, I'll get you in contact with the right people.

PotatoChip

Hahhahahah
Hahahahahahahah
Hahah

Yeah, commute to CVG for Southern.
30 hours a month.

Hahahaha.

Birdstrikes strikes again.

Slim11

Try Horizon and Compass.

A friend from TransStates moved to the Portland area and is a NFO in the USNR. He didn't like the commute and, I think, someone from his squadron helped him get on with Horizon. He didn't like that either. Now, he's flying KingAirs with L3(?).

Unless you're willing, and able, to relocate, those are the only two regionals I know of in your area. Avoid commuting if at all possible. If you decide to commute, your QOL will suffer. If you commute to CVG, your QOL will cease to exist.

gringo

Yup, APC's favorite "drunk uncle".

Somehow manages to be condensending and irrelevant at the same time, dishing out advice like it's still 2008, completely oblivious to the changes in the industry over the last half decade.

Man, I can't wait for Crimmas. Gonna get Bird lit up on the eggnog.

Should be fun; I hear it mixes great with the Kool-Aid he's been chugging.

Don't worry, Bird. That 5th 777 is just around the corner, it'll get here any day now.

Caution Terrain

Horizon, Compass, SkyWest all have NW bases.

MtnGrl

Thanks for your eloquently illuminating posts, I appreciate them.