cl601pilot

When I was working my way out of the CFI level (12 years ago), it was an entirely different ballgame. The progression was CFI (2-3 years & 1500/400), 135 flying (1-2 years & 3000/1500), Option 1 Commuter (3-5 years & 5000/3500) then Major or Option 2 Corporate. Do you guys see something different in the amount of hours between pilots working their way up back then and now.

The parts that is missing right now for most of the guys getting hired nowdays is the experience and the 135 flying. The 135 flying is where you would really do the learning. Usually single pilot and alot of imc. If you lived through that then you earned your experience. Sadly, most of the 135 operators would never touch guys with 500/100 or even 1000/100. so that option has come off the table for most of you.

sgrd0q

You're right but we fly well what we fly NOW. Not what we flew 2, 5 or 10 years ago. Skills come with experience but they also rust away with no experience. In other words you can be the best Alaska bush pilot, but fly exclusively jets for ten years and your bush pilot skills may be eroded more than you think.

saab2000

I am mad as hell and I ain't gonna take it anymore.

Well, OK, I will. I have my PC tomorrow.

dvd1

GO TO JET UNIVERSITY ! In 4 months they put you flying for Pinnacle with a permanent job regardless of your TT. They guarantee it and you don't have to do any CFI time at all. The program is not cheap but if you get finnancing shouldn't be a problem. Pinnacle is happy with their graduates and they're hiring 100% of them. GUARANTEED !

cl601pilot

You missed the point that I was trying to make. At such low flight times most of you are missing out on some of the quality flying that really teaches you what you need for later on. The learning process is a building block process. As an example, I fly with guys that didnt do the cfi route and they are missing things when it comes to crm. When you miss out on some of the learning oportunities along the road you just cant make up for them later.

Put in enough study time and anyone can fly an RJ or 73. Its just really automation training. Ive done it and still do every 6 months. First the Challenger and now the 737.

sgrd0q

I see good pilots coming from all sorts of backgrounds and experience, and conversely bad pilots from the same backgrounds and experience. Ultimately it is up to the individual – some people are good at what they do no matter what they do and how they got there, others aren't. This can be said about many things – some people constantly complain no matter how good they have it, others are mostly positive. You are what you make yourself to be.

Of course everything else being equal, experience does count, I agee with that.

cl601pilot

The big question that have is from what I have been hearing is that new hires with high time are bypassing FO's with seniority because they dont have the time to satisfy the insurance companies. What is this doing to the moral at the affected companies? How is it to have to fly with a ****ed off FO if you draw one for the trip?

All my PIC Turbine time is under Pt 91, and I want to fly for Airtran. My 1500 in the 73 or my 600 PIC in the 73 doesnt mean a thing to Airtran unless it was done under Pt 121. So it looks like I am going to have to go the Regionals to get the PIC time. Its sad that this 121 PIC requirement is in the way for so many of the corporate guys trying to make the transition. I guess the 2000 hours of oceanic flying dont count either.

sgrd0q

Regarding the upgrade – many don't upgrade due to QOL reasons, lack of skill, lack of confidence, lack of minimum hours (as you pointed out). This is nothing new. Happens all the time. In fact the most junior captain in any airline is necessarily a lot more junior than the most senior FO. That's the way it is. People accept that.

It's different if the management wants to bypass upgrades for any specific reason. For instance Republic was short of EMB170 pilots – both CAs and FOs. So at one point they wanted to bypass EMB170 FO's (who were is short supply themselves) and instead upgrade out-of-seniority-order FOs from the smaller EMBs which is a clear violation of the contract. That didn't fly from what I hear.

The guys that can't upgrade due to hours are NOT upset, e.g. Pinnacle. This is because the rules are the same and apply to all. You just need your hours to upgrade. Everyone understands that.

Having said all that I think that with your time and experience you will be crazy to go to the regionals. If you still have the corporate job stick with it. Going to a regional will be a BIG step down. The industry is turning around - before you know it you will be able to move up. You need to network and you need to not put all your eggs in one basket. Airtran may not work out even if you got a million hours; other bigger and better things may just work out instead.

Good luck!

JoeyMeatballs

Well the one major difference is that everybody got a chance to go to the MAJORS pre 9/11, now everybody can get a 121 regional job, but a MAJOR is very very difficult.