Hiring: RJ v. TurboProp experience
11-18-2005, 06:53 AM
#1
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Joined APC: Nov 2005
Position: AA A320
Posts: 1,624
Hiring: RJ v. TurboProp experience
After reading some of the threads on this board, I have found myself debating whether I really want to try and get a jet versus a turboprop job. On the one hand, I would be flying a jet, but the upgrade would be quite long. On the other, I would like to fly a SAAB for Colgan; upgrade to captain in around 1-2 years.
So here's my question: Do the majors, LCC, and freight operators value time in an RJ more than time in a 20,000+ pound turboprop? Granted, the RJ flies faster, higher, and carriers 20 more passengers; but a SAAB isn't exactly slow and you get lots or real world instrument flying as a consequence of flying lower. Plus one could start building PIC time relatively early in his or her career.
Please do not answer on the basis of opinion, I am looking for responses from people who have some idea what they are talking about. Not junior at ERAU who thinks he has everything figured out because he pays waaaayyy too much for his training.
So here's my question: Do the majors, LCC, and freight operators value time in an RJ more than time in a 20,000+ pound turboprop? Granted, the RJ flies faster, higher, and carriers 20 more passengers; but a SAAB isn't exactly slow and you get lots or real world instrument flying as a consequence of flying lower. Plus one could start building PIC time relatively early in his or her career.
Please do not answer on the basis of opinion, I am looking for responses from people who have some idea what they are talking about. Not junior at ERAU who thinks he has everything figured out because he pays waaaayyy too much for his training.
Last edited by KiloAlpha; 11-18-2005 at 06:56 AM.
11-18-2005, 07:41 AM
#2
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Joined APC: May 2005
Position: Corporate Pilot
Posts: 7,119
No Question
There is no competition here. FO jet time is almost totally worthless. Go for the 121 turbine prop PIC. It is the only experience that has any value anymore. You will waste the rest of your career trying to get to the left seat of an RJ. Once you get your 1000 PIC then you can indulge your SJS dreams. While wasting away in the right seat you could be filling out applications to SWA JetBlue and the others.
SkyHigh
SkyHigh
11-18-2005, 08:05 AM
#3
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Position: B767/757 CAPT
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Originally Posted by SkyHigh
There is no competition here. FO jet time is almost totally worthless. Go for the 121 turbine prop PIC. It is the only experience that has any value anymore. You will waste the rest of your career trying to get to the left seat of an RJ. Once you get your 1000 PIC then you can indulge your SJS dreams. While wasting away in the right seat you could be filling out applications to SWA JetBlue and the others.
SkyHigh
SkyHigh
Skyhigh is right....Turbine PIC is what counts, whether it's turboprop or turbojet does'nt matter.
11-18-2005, 08:58 AM
#4
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Position: Any seat that pays
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Turboprop PIC far surpasses jet co time. I know a lot of guys who are jet co's and will be for a long long time. specifically a crj co for comair who has 3500 tt and about 400-500 pic 50 in seminoles. now this person is in a world of trouble trying to find a new job. be careful where you lay your eggs.
11-19-2005, 07:40 AM
#7
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Position: B767/757 CAPT
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Originally Posted by GearUp
What if that TurboProp PIC time has very little IFR involved?
As long as 10% of your total time is actual IFR that's all that really counts. i.e. 2000 total - 200 actual
It's just a good rule of thumb that most airlines look at when they are hiring applicants.
11-21-2005, 04:53 AM
#10
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Position: Glass
Posts: 254
from what i have seen with friends and the like getting hired at regionals, the turboprop time has been getting a lot of jobs simply because people want to fill seats in cockpits right now... jet time is hard to come by, but turboprop time isn't as difficult... go with the turboprop, get the easy 1000 hours, move up, and you will have more than enough time to qualify for a good jet job
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