PPL to Legacy in under 9 Years...

PPL winter/spring '03 (part 61)
Instr/CMEL/CSEL summer/fall '03 (Part 141)
CFI/CFII/MEI winter '04 (Part 61)
Worked as a CFI for 11 months instructing over 100 hrs each month with maybe 2-3 days off per month
Hired by sure jet late '04 with around with 1100-1200 hrs upgraded in just over 2 yrs.
Hired by Southernjets late '10
 
ComplexHiAv8r said:
I don't see it as BS, I know a few that have done it and are ahead of others on this site. You do too. Might be luck of who they got on with, but a true comment. I might not like it, but we all know it happened. I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but I know guys that got to regionals via CFI that are still there (a few even still FO's) while others have done the other route and are sitting at legacy's.

And as stated seniority is everything...and luck!
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The way I see it ComplexHiAv8r is sure there is some "luck" involved but there's a lot more hard work, sacrifice, and seizing opportunity. While I agree there are some fine people that work their tails off and have some truly awful luck, that's life and most of those people wake up the next day and keep grinding it out until they reach their goals. Another group (not all senior RJ CA's btw) sits around, complains about all the affirmative action hires, inside hires, the SMALL group of successful PFT hires, etc. and becomes a miserable individual to be around. So it's your choice. Do you join the group of hard working pilots that creates their own "luck" or do you strive to be the #1 guy on (insert regional) seniority list who wows his FO's with stories of his great QOL, the 2nd mortgage on his boat, and all that money he'd have lost if he went to CAL back in '04?


PS...the dirty little secret is that Mr. #1 RJ guy probably never filled out the app to go to XYZ legacy because it was easier to complain about not getting hired than trying to do it.
 
PPL in 2005 (or was it 2004?) hired by JB 2011. I'll likely never make it to a legacy unless one buys us because I have no intentions to apply.
 
Flying in Michigan certainly has its downsides (like right now), but I started my Private in September '08, finished CFI in Nov '11 added CFII May '12 and MEI just this past month. Took on no debt to get through it. I've been teaching since the day after my CFI check ride (so a little over a year) and have 1200hrs. I'm hoping I can make this all pan out!

Thanks for the advice PeanuckleCRJ and Cav!
 
Cav said:
PS...the dirty little secret is that Mr. #1 RJ guy probably never filled out the app to go to XYZ legacy because it was easier to complain about not getting hired than trying to do it.
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That reminds me, I need to update my times and such, just in case the Soviet Navy is interested in hiring inexperienced Bro Punks.
 
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DPApilot said:
It's my current goal. If I keep on the right track, with a little luck I'm hoping it'll be attainable. I got my Private on my 17th birthday and hired at a regional when I was 19. If I can get to a major by the time I'm 30 I'd be enthralled, but I'm hoping for around 25.
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Damn you man!
 
Started Private January 2010, CFI CFII MEI all done by July 2012. Still got a lot of work to do, but I'm enjoying the ride along the way. Don't get so caught up in the end goal that you forget to enjoy your current job and appreciate that you get paid to fly while all your other friends are working 9-5 jobs.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
That reminds me, I need to update my times and such, just in case the Soviet Navy is interested in hiring inexperienced Bro Punks.
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Do it every 2-3 weeks because it matters! Write a note down of which sections of the app require updating and keep it in your logbook. It'll help speed up the updating process and make it less error prone. Obviously not every section needs updating...but don't forget to update the dates in the addendum.
 
People are so focused on getting on the door of a legacy airliner that they don't enjoy the little steps that they make to get there..........:(
 
Cav said:
Do it every 2-3 weeks because it matters! Write a note down of which sections of the app require updating and keep it in your logbook. It'll help speed up the updating process and make it less error prone. Obviously not every section needs updating...but don't forget to update the dates in the addendum.
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I've been applying to the Widget since I got my commercial...but one step at a time, yeah?
 
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jafra98 said:
People are so focused on getting on the door of a legacy airliner that they don't enjoy the little steps that they make to get there..........:(
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I disagree. I enjoyed all the steps along the way and had a great time...sure as heck have plenty of stories to tell. I sure didn't stop and take any prolonged smells at the roses, though, because the best roses are at the last stop!
 
More than dollars, at least to me, is QOL. The sooner you get to that final career stop, the quicker you have the seniority for great QOL, and the more years of your life that you can enjoy it. And even mediocre QOL at a career carrier is better than "great" QOL at virtually every regional.
 
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ATN_Pilot said:
More than dollars, at least to me, is QOL. The sooner you get to that final career stop, the quicker you have the seniority for great QOL, and the more years of your life that you can enjoy it. And even mediocre QOL at a career carrier is better than "great" QOL at virtually every regional.
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That's why I'm where I'm at right now. Not the greatest, or best paying regional ever, but my QOL is awesome. I've been here just over a year and I hold a line in Tampa, one of the most senior bases. I chose my days off, chose what I want to fly, and most times, who I want to fly with. I could have waited another 2 years making better money at a job that I hate, but where I'm at now, I'll upgrade on my 23rd birthday with 4 years of seniority. I can't really complain with that....
 
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