HELP!!! MEI or ATP, which route should I go?

I will be just over 1500, and should break 50 hours multi within the next two months for sure. At that point I figure I will begin to apply. I will also do my best to build my multi to 100hrs if I can afford it!
 
Well, 6 in 1, half a dozen in the other then. If you meet 135 mins you can then go apply to a cargo outfit or something like that. They might hire you with 50 multi. I still don't think getting your ATP right now will be advantageous.
 
z987k said:
Pulse... check. 1500tt check. Hired.
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Too bad that isn't true. I've got 1500TT and had a member here take my credentials to a T-prop 121 carrier and they said unless 50% of the TT was airplane, I wasn't going to be hire-able. Granted, it was a few months ago.

Not that I'm complaining at all, 121 isn't the route I really want to go at this point anyway. Just saying, there are situations where one can have an ATP and still not be able to find a 121 job.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Too bad that isn't true. I've got 1500TT and had a member here take my credentials to a T-prop 121 carrier and they said unless 50% of the TT was airplane, I wasn't going to be hire-able. Granted, it was a few months ago.

Not that I'm complaining at all, 121 isn't the route I really want to go at this point anyway. Just saying, there are situations where one can have an ATP and still not be able to find a 121 job.
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Yeah, but flying a 15mph blimp vs. a 250+kt airplane is a bit of difference. You'll probably find that same answer anywhere in the 121 world...
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
No doubt. I'm just trying to say, 1500TT or more hours doesn't automatically mean you've got that 121 job.
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1500 fixed wing time does. 99% of the aspiring 121 world has never touched a blimp, which is why it doesn't enter any of our heads when talking about just needing a pulse, and the required time to get a job.
 
Inverted said:
1500 fixed wing time does. 99% of the aspiring 121 world has never touched a blimp, which is why it doesn't enter any of our heads when talking about just needing a pulse, and the required time to get a job.
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Hmm, so nobody here has ever flown anything other than an airplane? No glider time here? No helicopter time here? Come on, you know what I'm saying but you want to play holier-than-thou airplane pilot about what I'm saying.

There are quite a few people who frequent this forum in student stage, and I think it's disingenuous to make them think that 1500TT will get them an airline job. 1500TT fixed wing might.
 
KSCessnaDriver said:
Hmm, so nobody here has ever flown anything other than an airplane? No glider time here? No helicopter time here? Come on, you know what I'm saying but you want to play holier-than-thou airplane pilot about what I'm saying.

There are quite a few people who frequent this forum in student stage, and I think it's disingenuous to make them think that 1500TT will get them an airline job. 1500TT fixed wing might.
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You can have any large number of total time, come in and defecate on the interview panel's desk, and not get hired.
 
My 1500 is all airplane time. Nearly 1000 of it is comprised of instructing and scenic tours. Unfortunately I will need to overcome an airspace violation from back in 2002. Otherwise a perfectly clean record.
 
Back when I worked line service most if not all of the pilots I hung around and took advice from used to say that a pilot should never have to pay for their ATP. Just get your ATP when you take a type ride or a 135 check from your employer. It ended up working for me...I would go for the MEI.
 
Mark Z said:
I have decided to earn a new rating in the next month... But I can't decide which route to go. I would like to hear what you folks think would serve me better in the long run, and help me reach my goals. My goal is to either join a regional, or get a quality 135 or corporate position as a first officer.

I have just under 1500hrs, but will reach it very soon... Only 30hrs multi... I have been instructing like crazy!

My questions is... Should I go earn my ATP in a twin to show I am serious about being a professional pilot, or do I earn the MEI and hope and pray I will find some way to build multi time? I do not foresee any way I get to teach in a twin anytime soon. Either route I take I will build about 7 hours of multi time.

I don't mind the written exam as I am comfortable with passing that. What do you think is an easier checkride? What will better serve me in the long run? I look forward to hearing your opinions.
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Any job that requires you to have an ATP is not going to hire you with 37 hours of multiengine time. You're better off adding the multi-engine rating to your flight instructor certificate. This will give you the opportunity to build multi-engine hours. If a regional is your goal, get the MEI, and let the regional that hires you pay for your ATP.
 
Autothrust Blue said:
You can have any large number of total time, come in and defecate on the interview panel's desk, and not get hired.
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Anyone can be a boring suit, but you're something new, exciting, and memorable when you poop on the desk! :D

I know if I were hiring, I'd hire KSCessnaDriver in a heartbeat. He's done something interesting and different instead of the "What's your background? CFI only? Yawn, next!". I'm drawn to people that are off the beaten path though, and I'm not in charge of hiring anywhere. :) While not poop, blimp flying is the aviation equivalent to being more noticeable.(?) :ooh:
 
UAL747400 said:
Anyone can be a boring suit, but you're something new, exciting, and memorable when you poop on the desk! :D

I know if I were hiring, I'd hire KSCessnaDriver in a heartbeat. He's done something interesting and different instead of the "What's your background? CFI only? Yawn, next!". I'm drawn to people that are off the beaten path though, and I'm not in charge of hiring anywhere. :) While not poop, blimp flying is the aviation equivalent to being more noticeable.(?) :ooh:
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Blimp time is very, very noticeable. In fact, I've been able to (not intentionally) weasel my way out of technical questions due to the interviewer's interest in my previous gig. Slow speed does not = easy to fly. I went in to every interview I had with a great attitude, and I also did my best to highlight the challenges of flying an airship, and how that would translate to being a pilot for said company.

Half of my ~1700 hours is fixed wing, with the other half being airship. None of the airlines I interviewed with seemed to care.
 
UAL747400 said:
Anyone can be a boring suit, but you're something new, exciting, and memorable when you poop on the desk! :D

I know if I were hiring, I'd hire KSCessnaDriver in a heartbeat. He's done something interesting and different instead of the "What's your background? CFI only? Yawn, next!". I'm drawn to people that are off the beaten path though, and I'm not in charge of hiring anywhere. :) While not poop, blimp flying is the aviation equivalent to being more noticeable.(?) :ooh:
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It's badass and I wish I had some.
 
Inverted said:
What airline do you work for again?
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I don't work for an airline. One I interviewed with gave me the "thanks, but no thanks" message, while I turned down the other due to pay and QOL issues. I'm glad I did because I found a place that suits me better than the airlines anyway.

I don't really understand your loaded question though. Not one single airline I interviewed with dismissed my airship time as worthless.
 
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