Direct Entry at US majors

What’s wrong with going back to the right seat for awhile? It’s all a seniority based system here. You can be a captain when your seniority allows it (and if you have the FAA minimum requirement of 1000 hours 121 time).
 
I’m just curious why you want to be a captain so badly and why a first officer job at a legacy isn’t a possibility?

One of the things I hated most about being an FO was flying with non standard and below average captains. Old guard non CRM types. The best thing about upgrading was never having to deal with those types and making efforts to never become one of those types. I like the responsibility of command, I like helping FOs develop and grow (to the extent of my experience). I love managing the flight my way and take great pleasure in arriving early, saving fuel and giving the passengers a comfortable ride. Worked my ass off to upgrade... why would I ever want to accept a right seat again?
 
One of the things I hated most about being an FO was flying with non standard and below average captains. Old guard non CRM types. The best thing about upgrading was never having to deal with those types and making efforts to never become one of those types. I like the responsibility of command, I like helping FOs develop and grow (to the extent of my experience). I love managing the flight my way and take great pleasure in arriving early, saving fuel and giving the passengers a comfortable ride. Worked my ass off to upgrade... why would I ever want to accept a right seat again?

If Generals and Admirals can go from commanding wings and fleets to the right seat as an FO for a bit, I’m sure it’s not going to kill you. One of the points of flying in the right seat is to learn that airlines policies and procedures. By going straight to the left seat, YOU become the non standard captain because you only have your old airline way of doing things to fall back on. One of the worst things a new hire can say is, “Well, at Brand X, we did it this way...”

I was actually a captain at a regional before being hired at SJI. Just about every new hire I fly with was a captain once somewhere. You’re no different than them.
 
If Generals and Admirals can go from commanding wings and fleets to the right seat as an FO for a bit, I’m sure it’s not going to kill you. One of the points of flying in the right seat is to learn that airlines policies and procedures. By going straight to the left seat, YOU become the non standard captain because you only have your old airline way of doing things to fall back on. One of the worst things a new hire can say is, “Well, at Brand X, we did it this way...”

Perfectly correct. The “we did it this way line” is unnaceptable. But that is what the line training period is for right? Wouldn’t mind a year or so... especially since US flying is a bit different than what I am used to. Just worried that now at 35, if I go back to the right, especially at a regional, I will be 45 by the time I get to sniff a 737 left seat again. Hard pill to swallow.
 
Perfectly correct. The “we did it this way line” is unnaceptable. But that is what the line training period is for right? Wouldn’t mind a year or so... especially since US flying is a bit different than what I am used to. Just worried that now at 35, if I go back to the right, especially at a regional, I will be 45 by the time I get to sniff a 737 left seat again. Hard pill to swallow.

Why would you go to a regional? Your time in Europe is equivalent to a guy staying CONUS and flyin at a regional. You have enough time and experience to apply to a major/legacy. You just won’t be hired as a DEC. 1-2 years in the right seat at a legacy and then upgrade.
 
Adjusted for the cost of living in Eastern Europe vs US I would say anything below a starting salary of 120k plus is a pay cut.

Would you rather spend the rest of your career in Eastern Europe or the US? Over the course of that career, how much will you make staying put or moving and taking a temporary pay cut?
 
Why would you go to a regional? Your time in Europe is equivalent to a guy staying CONUS and flyin at a regional. You have enough time and experience to apply to a major/legacy. You just won’t be hired as a DEC. 1-2 years in the right seat at a legacy and then upgrade.

I would take that deal in a hearbeat.
Another possibly dumb question, since I have no idea how the US legacy environment is: are you pushed to move up in type? Or can you just stay on 737 your whole career. Love the wiebodys but I am not built for long haul flights :)
 
I would take that deal in a hearbeat.
Another possibly dumb question, since I have no idea how the US legacy environment is: are you pushed to move up in type? Or can you just stay on 737 your whole career. Love the wiebodys but I am not built for long haul flights :)

Bid what you want, want what you bid. There is no up or out at this level. Hell, I’ve flown with FOs who could be the most senior captains on property. They choose to sit in the right seat. Rumor has it that the highest paid pilots at SJI are WB FOs.

Or you could go to SWA if you want 737s the rest of your career. Personally, I flew that type for 2-3 years. That was enough for me.
 
Best troll thread in a while...

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How is asking legitimate questions a troll thread? Thought this was a place where professionals can have open and constructive discussions.

It is, but a lot of trolls also like to come here just because people here generally like to help others. It’s sometimes difficult to weed out who’s genuine. Stick around as a regular, you’ll see
 
Or you could go to SWA if you want 737s the rest of your career. Personally, I flew that type for 2-3 years. That was enough for me.[/QUOTE]

Really? What didn’t you like about it, besides the smallish cockpit.
 
How is asking legitimate questions a troll thread? Thought this was a place where professionals can have open and constructive discussions.
Do you have a US passport? Are your ratings FAA certificates? Have you looked at ANY pilot forums before today?

These are all basic questions, and most can be answered by a few minutes on APC. To have this many basic questions about an industry you're already in makes one question the honesty of the postings.

If these are legit questions, how have you made it as far as you did? 4,000 tt and want direct entry to a major airline (or air line) captain's spot? Lol.
 
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