Bosco

I'm at roughly 9000 total, 8000 turbine and 6000 turbine PIC. All 121 time, but unfortunately all in turbo-props.

I was told my application would "score" better in the new system if I were in the right seat of an RJ rather than being in the left seat of a turbo-prop.

Good Luck!

SVTCobra

I wish airlines would stop moving the carrot and look at the overall experience they bring to the table whether it's in the left or right seat of a turbo-prop or jet.

FedElta

Hey SVT,

It's FDX opinion, and decision, that left and right seat experience are not equal.

No offense,
BG

Jetjok

Is there someone out there who flies for a living who actually thinks that first officer time is just as valuable (in experience) as captain time? No offense intended, but in my opinion, they are almost not even the same job, never mind the same experience. As well, also in my opinion, it doesn't matter if it's jet or turbo-prop experience, unfortunately however, we (I) don't make the hire rules.

JJ

UnusualAttitude

For 5 years in the right seat I thought that I was doing the same job as the other guy. I've been in the left seat over a year now but it didn't take long to realize that I was wrong all along. It's a different animal in the left seat. There are all types of experiences that are important and the body of work is important. Most of the majors (FedEx included) want a pilot who has been in command (probably prefer that command be in a jet) and made those sometimes tough decisions. Do you disagree about your experience in the left seat of the RJ?

UA

EDIT: By looking at your previous posts it is obvious that you have a great deal of TPIC. I guess I'm just a little surprised that you don't value PIC more. Hope you're doing great. Just two different opinions.

VSTOLG4

hmmmmm, responses to this should be interesting.

Bosco

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter much what I or anyone else thinks of the current system at FedEx.

I thought I had a chance of an interview since the advertised minimums are 1000 PIC turbo-jet/turbo-prop. I know plenty of current FedEx pilots who had never flown anything other than a Metro or Brasilia when they were hired. They don't seem to be having any difficulties.

Times change, and FedEx makes the rules. If they only want folks with astronaut ratings, that's what they'll get.

I agree that PIC time is important experience. I used to have the same attitude when I was in the right seat. "I can't believe this clown is making three times as much as I am for doing the same job". Boy was I wrong!
I fly for a regional where the current upgrade time is in excess of a decade. PIC time is tough to come by around here. I know a lot of very talented FO's who can't move on because they haven't been able to upgrade. Their only option is to make a lateral move to another regional, start over at the bottom and hope that the place stays in business long enough to get some PIC time.
On the other hand, I don't understand what is so magical about jet time (although I sure wish I had some right now). I fly with people all the time who came from the RJ, and they all say that the jet was so much easier to fly.
I've never flown a jet, so I don't know. I'm in the jump seat of various jets when I commute, and it doesn't look like they're doing anything differently than I am in my turbo-prop.

I don't want to start an argument over which is better jet or turbo-prop, FedEx already decided that. I just don't understand why turbo-prop time is looked upon as a lower level of experience.

Good luck all.

satpak77

Dunno about FDX but all the corporate guys, SWA guys, etc types I know have told me PIC turboprop is better than SIC jet.

121 PIC turboprop is golden

FDX? Again, don't know

good luck

contrails

Any good first officer is thinking the exact same things as the captain.

51% say, 49% say.

To ask for PIC time on a resume is one thing (and I don't think it's inappropriate).

To say it's a different job entirely between the right seat and left seat, I completely disagree.

Bosco

Thanks! That's what I thought too.