PearlPilot

Just taking some time off from schoolwork...Anyway, I just like to hear some opinions regarding the following issue. In a perfect world, what would be the most full-filling, enjoyable, and also the most rewarding way to get to where ever you want to be, either a frac, or cargo, or a major. For an example after you got your CFI, would you CFI for 1-2 years, and then fly turboprops/jets for a regional, or would you still fly pistons for sometime before you apply for that job that you want to retire from. I am asking because I am seeing several regional airlines are hiring pilots with very low experience and perhaps this may cause one to lose the "fun" of say flying a turboprop or instructing. I am one of those guys who wants to get at a "dream job" someday and look back and think, yes it was worth it, although I could have arrived here much sooner, I thoroughly enjoyed my past experience.

Learflyer

Well, as my late father always said...."life is what happens when you make other plans." most of us got into this business to fly for the majors. So many other avenues have been created for career stops. Such as: Fractional ownership. I assume you're young, and what is now the flavor of the week such as NJA, tomorrow will be a different company.

kalyx522

Lear is right with that quote.. I always thought I'd flight instruct then go to a jet regional.. well, life didn't turn out exactly the same as I planned/hoped.. I did aerial survey and am now at a turboprop regional. Substitutes, yes, but I wouldn't change a thing! I ended up with the survey job by chance because I couldn't get a CFI job. Although I'm sure CFI-ing would've been fulfilling in its own way, I LOVED my survey job and would do it for the rest of my life if it paid better. Funny thing is I would've never even known aerial survey existed if I did get the CFI job in the first place. I still wish I could do survey on the side, but I'm not allowed to.
And yes I envy jet drivers sometimes but I know someday I'll get to fly one so right now I'm really enjoying my time in the Saab. I do think people who never got to fly turboprops are missing out!
The only other thing I'd really like to do is island hopping in the Caribbean or Maldives or somewhere like that.. but at this point, since I'm already at a regional, that would kind of detract from my career path. but you are right.. if not now when you are young and unattached, when?

Ewfflyer

I've got 3700+ hours, and still haven't flown a Jet

380 graduated college, 1400 I moved to freight, at 3400 I got my current job flying a mix of TBM and Piper products. Hopefully the PiperJet actually comes to, but I won't hold my breath, but I love all the planes I fly for what they are, and I get a nice variety each week to boot!

PearlPilot

Thanks all...Let us see what my story will be haha