Building hours at a regional then bailing to part 135?

thevideographer

thevideographer

Well-Known Member
So my goal is to be a corporate pilot, and right now I have enough hours that I can start to think about moving on from instructing. In general part 135 jobs seem to need a lot more hours than part 121 - most of them require a full ATP or 500 multi for an entry level FO job. That will take at least another 1-2 years of instructing to build. Part 121 carriers on the other hand are desperate. I could interview at a regional right now and get hired, work there for 2 years to get some multi-turbine hours, then start applying for corporate jobs.

Is that a good plan? Would it look bad to future employers if I left a regional after 2 years as an FO? Would I end up stuck at a regional?
 
MoMatt

MoMatt

Well-Known Member
thevideographer said:
So my goal is to be a corporate pilot, and right now I have enough hours that I can start to think about moving on from instructing. In general part 135 jobs seem to need a lot more hours than part 121 - most of them require a full ATP or 500 multi for an entry level FO job. That will take at least another 1-2 years of instructing to build. Part 121 carriers on the other hand are desperate. I could interview at a regional right now and get hired, work there for 2 years to get some multi-turbine hours, then start applying for corporate jobs.

Is that a good plan? Would it look bad to future employers if I left a regional after 2 years as an FO? Would I end up stuck at a regional?
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I don't think anyone anywhere has faulted anyone for leaving a regional on their own volition. I've been at a 135 job for a while now and we've had countless people come through with prior 121 time.

That said, it's still generally a lateral move, so moving from a 121 regional to a 135 job is pretty easy. Finding a corporate job from a 135 job, however, is like saying "I'm going to work at a regional for a couple years, then get hired at FedEx." It has a lot to do with luck and timing, not so much hard work and putting in your time.
 
F

FredsGotSlacks

Well-Known Member
I just left Xjet (ERJ side) on Sunday after 17 months for a 135 King air PIC position. Put in a year or 2 at a growing busy regional and get an ATP, a type rating and 1000 hours jet time and you will be able to find a good opportunity in the 135 world.
 
skypilot6

skypilot6

Well-Known Member
It doesnt matter, If you want to fly 135 then find a 135 job. The only advantage I could see going to a regional then 135 is resume building, and it might help you if you decide to go back to 121 after a little while.
 
z987k

z987k

Well-Known Member
skypilot6 said:
It doesnt matter, If you want to fly 135 then find a 135 job. The only advantage I could see going to a regional then 135 is resume building, and it might help you if you decide to go back to 121 after a little while.
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Compound interest is why I went back and have to stay 135. Money in my 20's is worth millions in my 50s.
 
M

milleR

Well-Known Member
Instruction and traffic watch got me to ATP mins which got me to Cape Air which got me my first 135 PIC turbine job. 4 years total.
 
skypilot6

skypilot6

Well-Known Member
After flight instructing, 135 SP Cargo, 370 first year, 280 Second year, then 91/135 Jet, 350 give or take a little last 2 years.

My friends that went to the Airlines around the same time I went to Cargo with roughly the same TT have anywhere from 1000 to 1500 more hours than I do now. Building time is not the name of the game at the 135 level.
 
Beep

Beep

Well-Known Member
I flight instructed, then worked weather mod. It was just a little over 4 1/2 years from my first flight instructing job to my first 135 job.
 
rockman2343@aol.com

rockman2343@aol.com

Well-Known Member
I have to say the Embraer-145 type is the best thing to come from the regionals for me, as it covers the 135 and legacies, for which I've seen quits a few jobs over here and overseas. That being said, 135 sometimes is all about who you know (not talking about amflight). I think we had almost 400 applications were I ended up, but the guy who hired me recognized my name from a previous employer. After that first year of turbine experience though, I think you'll start seeing some more opportunities. BTW, I think the smaller CRJ type also covers the challenger or one of those business jets, but I haven't looked into that.
 
z987k

z987k

Well-Known Member
rockman2343@aol.com said:
I have to say the Embraer-145 type is the best thing to come from the regionals for me, as it covers the 135 and legacies, for which I've seen quits a few jobs over here and overseas. That being said, 135 sometimes is all about who you know (not talking about amflight). I think we had almost 400 applications were I ended up, but the guy who hired me recognized my name from a previous employer. After that first year of turbine experience though, I think you'll start seeing some more opportunities. BTW, I think the smaller CRJ type also covers the challenger or one of those business jets, but I haven't looked into that.
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The CL-65 type covers the CRJ100, 200, 700, 900, 1000, Challenger 850, 870 and 890.
 
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