Am I ready for a regional?

I thought that this was a place where people could come and get real input from experienced aviation professionals.....Seems like it's turned into a "bash the stary eyed low time pilot" forum. 390 and 20 looks a little low as far as starting with the regionals. I would give some serious thought into working as a CFI or building your experience a little more with a pipeline/survey job.
 
Bandit_Driver said:
I'll have to disagree with you there. You can learn a lot from teaching others to fly and flying 135 cargo. It is one thing to have the knowledge. It is another to be able to pass it on and apply it.
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Bandit, knowing Lloyd and the route he took, his post was overloaded with sarcasm.
 
Swen said:
Is that a can of worms I heard opening?:buck:


...I'll let some elders handle this since I'm just a little guy.
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Murdoughnut said:
If they hire you, then you're ready

:sarcasm:
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SFCC/UND said:
If the people at airline pilot central forum don't think you are ready, then people at jetcareers are going to say you are not ready.
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Velocipede said:
You have a pulse?
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cfii2007 said:
How much time have you logged on Microsoft Flight Simulator?
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Geez, people if you don't have a constructive answer, why bother wasting the kids time. Is he low time? sure. Have others been hired with that time? sure.

There were a few answers to his question that while possibly not what he wanted to hear, they were constructive.
 
I think I boils down to this. There is no right way or wrong way to get to where you want to go. Don't let anyone tell you what is the "way" you need to do things. It's up to you.

Remember this "Opinions are just like #######s, everyone has one"

I've also learned not to take anything personal in life. If you do and worry about it your hair will fall out, literally and figuratively.

Oh man I've got a headache now for being so serious. Time to go have some fun.
 
Not too many options with those times....

Get a few hundred more and you have alot more options....If you have a CFI, why not instruct a bit longer? If not, why not build some more multi, do a bit of banner, pipeline, aerial photgraphy?
 
SeanA said:
Hey everyone, just looking for some advice...

My Times are: 390 TT 20 ME

I've got my ATP written scheduled, along with my 1st class medical during the 1st week of February. I've already got a radio operators license....

I currently live in Fort Lauderdale, FL. But my family lives in Boston, MA (Free Housing)

Which regionals would be of interest to me? (so far I've looked at: Eagle and Colgan. Any others based on my times?

I was also wondering if anyone could help me with a resume. If you could PM me and look over it. (just wasent sure where to put a few items)
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Sean, you ask a good question. Historically you do not have enough time or experience to work at the regional level; however, you are witnessing a historic time when hiring minimums change almost daily. Many regional airlines are hiring pilots with the same, or less flight time as you've got. You need to realize that this is not the historical norm. As in any supply and demand system, the short supply of pilots has driven down minimum flight time requirements to levels I have never seen. You are getting a little attitude from some here because many low time pilots in your situation do not appreciate or understand how unprecedented it is for a 300 hour pilot to even be considered by a 121 carrier. Frankly, you probably won't have your choice of regionals with your flight time. You may have to apply to many and then evaluate any interview offers on a case by case basis. You may never have another opportunity to apply at a regional with your flight time so go for it. You need to be prepared to meet pretty high standards with instrument and CRM (Crew Resource Management) skills. It won't be easy, but it is do-able. I highly recommend a lot of preparation and don't forget to display a good amount of humility as you make your way through our beloved industry. It would behove you to understand and recognize what an incredible opportunity many low time pilots such as yourself have in these crazy times.

If you want to PM me your resume, I will be happy to take a look. Be aware that there are many free online resources that can assist you in putting together a strong and attractive resume.
 
If you got really good instruments skills, a good attitude, and a can pick new things up fast, go for it. Take advantage of the low mins while you can. Several members here on JC made it thru with near the same amount of time you have. Not everybody can do it but many can. Did you go to college? If you did what were your grades like?

Then again, if you're asking this question, especially on multiple boards, you're probably not ready.
 
Bandit_Driver said:
I'll have to disagree with you there. You can learn a lot from teaching others to fly and flying 135 cargo. It is one thing to have the knowledge. It is another to be able to pass it on and apply it.
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I didn't really know which post to hit reply to here. I also did not want to jack the thread, so I just went with someone who has decent things to say all the time. I feel like to some extent the airlines themselves are to blame right now for some of the washouts. I feel bad for alot of these guys that are resigning b/c they can't make it through training. They just simply aren't ready. Yeah they don't have a 'failure' on their record but they also now have to explain why they only worked for XYZ for 5 weeks. The damage is still done. If these guys would instruct for a little bit and then do some 135 it would help. What's the general consensus on ab initio for the future? No I'm not talking about that TAB Express or Gulfstream garbage. As usual sorry for the long posts!
 
Without a "bridge program," I don't know if any regionals will hire with that low time. Can't hurt to try, though. Send your resume to the airlines you're interested in, and see if you get any bites. If you need someone to review your resume, send me a PM. Don't let all of the negative posts discourage you.
 
SeanA said:
Hey everyone, just looking for some advice...

My Times are: 390 TT 20 ME

I've got my ATP written scheduled, along with my 1st class medical during the 1st week of February. I've already got a radio operators license....

I currently live in Fort Lauderdale, FL. But my family lives in Boston, MA (Free Housing)

Which regionals would be of interest to me? (so far I've looked at: Eagle and Colgan. Any others based on my times?

I was also wondering if anyone could help me with a resume. If you could PM me and look over it. (just wasent sure where to put a few items)
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To answer your question about regionals: whatever company would take you. imho you're not in a position to be picky without greater experience.

for example, an outfit like CapeAir in MA probably wouldn't look at you as a FO in their piston twin without 1200 total time. That should tell you something. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

As for the resume if you're really interested in a critique PM me.

also, if you asked the question somewhere else, are you asking again to get the response you want to hear? sometimes the best advise falls on deaf ears (or eyes)
 
ackeight said:
What are you doing taking your ATP written with 390hrs? Do you actually know the material in there or did you memorize it?????
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Lots of people with zero flight time take the ATP written. Having low flight time does not condemn one to rote memorization.
 
zmiller4 said:
Are you asking if we think you're ready as in, do you have all the certificates and stuff you'l need to interview? If that's your question, then it sounds like it, but make sure you have a passport.

If you're asking if you're ready experience and skill-wise...not to be harsh, but you're a little less than halfway to the insurance requirements for teaching in a light twin at the school I used to work at.
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You know the airlines are in a sorry state of affairs when it takes you longer to get a passport than it does to get the flight time required to get the job.......EEK!
 
beechpilot84 said:
This makes me feel sick....I have so many comments I wouldn't even know where to begin.:banghead:
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If you don't know where to begin constructively, then don't.
from page 1


If you don't have a constructive answer, don't waste the users time. You don't have to agree with him, but if you cannot provide a constructive answer, you're not helping anyone.
 
Personally, I don't think you're qualified to be a pax jet F/O at those times. But I don't do the hiring, the airlines do, so it's sort of a moot point.

If the airlines think you're ready, they will offer you the job. If you get through training, you'll be good enough, as far as management is concerned.

There are many at this board who aren't happy with how low the experience levels to be an airline pilot have gone. Don't take it personal.

ECHO Echo echo....

(Interesting stats: Same post at APC 31 posts, 1340 views. JC 36 posts, 725 views. Comments from OP: Zero)
 
SeanA said:
Hey everyone, just looking for some advice...

My Times are: 390 TT 20 ME

I've got my ATP written scheduled, along with my 1st class medical during the 1st week of February. I've already got a radio operators license....

I currently live in Fort Lauderdale, FL. But my family lives in Boston, MA (Free Housing)

Which regionals would be of interest to me? (so far I've looked at: Eagle and Colgan. Any others based on my times?

I was also wondering if anyone could help me with a resume. If you could PM me and look over it. (just wasent sure where to put a few items)
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You seem pretty eager so I say go for it bro!!! If you have the motivation you will be successful!!!
 
If you think you're ready, then you probably are. If you think you aren't ready, then you probably aren't. Don't let ANYONE tell you what you CAN'T do.
 
I personally know people at ASA, Pinnacle, Piedmont, and Eagle that have been hired with lower times than you in the last 6 months (however all of them went via some kind of jet transition course except Piedmont). So far the planes haven't started flying out of the sky yet. If you think you can handle it, go for it.
 
Considering what the regionals are hiring lately, he's probably qualified. Send in the resume and see what the HR folks think.
 
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