RidinNFlyin

Hey guys,

Any advice is welcome and appreciated. Even if it's not the best advice, it'll be something for me to think about.

So... Some background. I'm 30, and currently a Compass Airlines Captain. I have 5100 hours total time. 800 hours 121 PIC. About 1500 hours total multi turbine PIC with my previous part 135 PIC.

I'm debating on jumping ship and trying to get into Kalitta. I think getting into the 747 or 767 would be awesome. I think the job would be something new, exiting, and I'd get to see the world. I am not unhappy at Compass and currently a Captain. I know upgrade time at Kalitta would be a long ways down the road.

My number 1 goal is getting to FedEx, but would be very happy to go to any of the big 3.

What do you guys think would be the better move for the future of my career? Staying a Captain and keep doing what I'm doing? Or getting a heavy type and logging more SIC time, but getting the international experience? I think pay would be about the same once I got through training.

Thanks in advance! Any advice is much appreciated.

RidinNFlyin.

UnusualAttitude

Stay. Keep building PIC. Try to get into the LCA position. Keep your app current at Purple.

UA

rickair7777

Get 1500 TPIC just in case and then go.

There are tens of thousands of RJ CA's (and thousands of RJ LCA) but only a handful of 747 pilots in the job market. FDX/UPS prefer heavy international experience.

Upgrade at Kalitta comes pretty quick IIRC.

FDX would be nice but I'd apply to UPS too.

RidinNFlyin

Thanks for the replies guys. I think I am really close to 1500 multi turbine PIC. I know FedEx loves check airmen. And if I stay, I'll definitely apply... But so will every other captain. I've heard FedEx has been taking a lot of 76 guys from Atlas. And there are tons of regional Captains. Do you guys think I should stay till I have 1500 121 PIC? Or just 1500 total multi PIC with my 135 Twin Otter PIC?

Thanks

rickair7777

1500 total should do it since you have significant 121 time. If you want big cargo, go fly big international jets. Worst case, FDX doesn't call right away and you upgrade at Connie in a couple years and get pretty good pay to build even more TPIC.

PotatoChip

I was almost in your exact same position six years ago.
Left a regional captain job making decent money, less than 1000tpic, to go to Southern. I wanted to fly 747's all over the world while I was young, didn't have kids, and could really try to enjoy it. I also thought it would separate me from the 8,000 other regional captains.

Fast forward six years. I was furloughed, unemployed, took a job flying 135 for $1,600/month, worked an overseas contract for good money but was gone way too much, and am now back at another regional.....

YMMV.

I don't regret any of it, however. I had some great experiences, flew to places I'll likely never see again, met awesome people, and fulfilled a dream of flying the 747 for four years. That all said, I can't buy a call from a major yet. Maybe if I stayed I'd would have. Who knows? Getting the nod for LCA isn't as easy as just applying, many of us just won't get it. I didn't think I had a good chance.

Do what's right for you. The grass isn't always greener, and if you're happy, stay. If you're having some wanderlust, and are single, and want to see how bad schedules can really, truly suck, then check out Kalitta. Buyer beware.

PotatoChip

While that sounds nice in theory, it certainly hasn't worked out for me. 6600tt, 1600 747 time, tons of international experience.

Crickets for years.

rickair7777

You may have background issues, or more likely your brass ring just hasn't come around yet. All any of us can do is punch all the best tickets and then hope we're what the computer program and the HR ladies are looking for. No guarantees, you can change your odds a little.

But all else being equal you're in a better place than 20,000 RJ guys.

If you're focused on FDX/UPS, your odds will be getting better very soon.

Rama

The excitement wears off, the fun comes and goes and upgrade may be a long way off.
You may get stuck on the road for six weeks. If you have a family, it is a sacrifice on their part also.

RidinNFlyin

Thanks for the replies guys. I definitely have something to think about. Being furloughed does worry me, since I'd be junior at Connie and I'm in the top 30 percent of the company at Compass. I am single, with no kids. I have a college degree. Just trying to make the best move to be noticed by FedEx.

Everyone will be hiring come the beginning of next year. Hopefully we all hear a little more than crickets. That's all I've heard too while I've had a few FOs get hired with a fourth the resume. But they've had an in.

Thanks again.