Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?HELP

SD3Dog

SD3Dog

New Member
Hey guys can you give me some advise. I called my old freight company that I used to fly as a F.O. My old CP is gone and one of the cool CAs took his place. I needed a copy of my 135 SIC check and he sent it but then offered me a job flying as a CA getting TPIC time and around 42K a year with perdeim. I have had several offers from regionals for interviews and am trying to decide wich to go with. ASA, Pncl and AE. The freight deal would mean getting typed at a cost of 12K (on them) and a 2 year contract to protect their investment. They are contracted to Fedex so thats what I would be hauling. It would be scheduled so I would have weekends off but it would be a long duty day at around 12 hrs with 2.7 hrs flight a day. (Ie. fly out and wait then fly back.) That schedule could change for the better because they have another contract going to the same place that is in and out which would give me about a 5 hr duty day with about 2.7 flt hrs a day. If that other CA moves on.

I can see advantages to each but wanted to hear from you guys.


Thanks
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

It all depends on your goals and personal preferences and stuff, but if I were you, I'd take the freight job.

After two years your resume will look about a million times better than it would if you had gone to a regional. Plus the freight job looks like it has better pay and scheduling than even the best regionals.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

Freight.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

Unless your goal is to stay at a regional as your final employeer -- take the freight job. Pays better and can get TPIC at same time.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

Hello,
I'd opt for the 135 cargo job in a heartbeat! If you are single and don't care about the often crazy lifestyle of a cargo pilot (and you have already been there and done that) it will offer you the better pay, turbine PIC, a type rating and outstanding experience. Ultimately, the airlines aren't really looking for whether you flew 121 or not in my opinion. You are doing a demanding job flying time-critical parcels and letters. Often this is even more demanding than flying Ma and Pa to their 35th reunion:-)
Best of luck to you in your decision, but if you are really bound and determined to break into the 121 world and have the time. Consider going to Big Sky, because they are hiring off the street for 1900 Captains. I don't work there, but that option is out there to consider. If it was me, I'd go fly the Fokker, ATR or Shorts!

Regards,

ex-Navy Rotorhead
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

Is it a Caravan job? If not I would take the freight job. If so.....I'd think about it a little more.

Where do you live? If you're at an ASA/PCL/AE base ok. I don't know that it would be worth commuting to any of them with an FO salary when you could be in base at that freight job.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

Freight without a doubt. Get the TPIC and check the box on the app if airlines (or the large freight guys) are your goal. You can always go back and get 121 time if you want it/need it.

The long duty day really isn't an issue. You'll have that wherever you go. At some of the regionals you listed it'll be a long time before you see weekends off or turbine PIC. The freight job gives you both not to mention better 1st and 2nd yr pay. Good luck!
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

I'm surprised to see everyone telling you to go the 135 route. Personally, I'd go to ASA. It's rare for a major to hire pilots right out of part 135 work, no matter how much TPIC you have. Upgrade at ASA will probably be 2 years for newhires, and then you'll be logging jet PIC in the 121 environment. If your goal is to eventually go to a major, then I can't see the 135 job as a smart move.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

SD3Dog said:
Hey guys can you give me some advise. I called my old freight company that I used to fly as a F.O. My old CP is gone and one of the cool CAs took his place. I needed a copy of my 135 SIC check and he sent it but then offered me a job flying as a CA getting TPIC time and around 42K a year with perdeim. I have had several offers from regionals for interviews and am trying to decide wich to go with. ASA, Pncl and AE. The freight deal would mean getting typed at a cost of 12K (on them) and a 2 year contract to protect their investment. They are contracted to Fedex so thats what I would be hauling. It would be scheduled so I would have weekends off but it would be a long duty day at around 12 hrs with 2.7 hrs flight a day. (Ie. fly out and wait then fly back.) That schedule could change for the better because they have another contract going to the same place that is in and out which would give me about a 5 hr duty day with about 2.7 flt hrs a day. If that other CA moves on.

I can see advantages to each but wanted to hear from you guys.


Thanks
Click to expand...

TAKE THAT JOB! Remember, boxes don't bitch, and with northwests mins at 1500TT, 1000Multi, and 500 Turbo Prop, any multi time will be awesome. Who wants to fly right seat in an RJ when you could be flying freight. What's your total time? Better than 1200? I'd do that, or goto Ameriflight.

Congrats
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

PCL_128 said:
I'm surprised to see everyone telling you to go the 135 route. Personally, I'd go to ASA. It's rare for a major to hire pilots right out of part 135 work, no matter how much TPIC you have. Upgrade at ASA will probably be 2 years for newhires, and then you'll be logging jet PIC in the 121 environment. If your goal is to eventually go to a major, then I can't see the 135 job as a smart move.
Click to expand...

Not true, so many of my friends have gone the majors route up here in AK, after flying 135 for a few years. If you are in a crew environment, then the majors will take you, if you are flying low level VFR, single pilot then they want nothing to do with you. Time is time, I can't see any airline, especially right now saying, "well, we'd hire you, but all of your time was done while you worked for this 135 company, so hit the road." BS, if you've got time, even better if you're typed in anything, and you have real world experience (and believe me, 135 is as real as it gets, probably more difficult than 121 work) then you're golden. Avoid the regionals like the plague, they don't pay very well, and don't expect to be treated very well. Also, if you're flying a CRJ, or an ERJ, then don't expect your piloting skills to get better when you're clicking on the auto pilot out of 1500'. However, if you're flying a b1900, you should do alright.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

ppragman said:
Not true, so many of my friends have gone the majors route up here in AK, after flying 135 for a few years.
Click to expand...

Depends on the airline. Did they go to Alaska Airlines? Alaska loves the 135 guys with AK flying experience.

If you are in a crew environment, then the majors will take you, if you are flying low level VFR, single pilot then they want nothing to do with you. Time is time, I can't see any airline, especially right now saying, "well, we'd hire you, but all of your time was done while you worked for this 135 company, so hit the road."
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At AirTran, we have a 500 hour 121 PIC minimum, and we rarely hire anyone with under 1000 121 PIC. I don't know about DAL's overall statistics, but from what I've heard from my friends that have been hired there over the last few months, the only people they've had in their classes have been from regionals and the military with one or two corporate guys. No 135. In my opinion, you can get to a major from 135 at some companies, but it's more of an uphill battle.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

If you want to go corporate/fractional ride a 135 company for all it's worth. You'll get the time you need and move onto that side of the business quickly.

If you want to go to a major to go a regional. There are folks that have flown 135 at mainline carriers, but the people CURRENTLY being hired are coming from regionals. Will it continue to be that way? Who knows, but that's the way it is now. The only folks I personally saw go from Ameriflight to a major were managment guys with resumes so impressive they could pretty much write their own ticket.

That's what I've seen so far, at least. But then again, I'm not personally in any huge rush to get up to mainline tomorrow. I realize it's going to take time and I'm more concerned about not hating my life/schedule than I am about racking up turbine PIC, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

I can't really say that the majors won't hire 135 pilots anymore. The day after I went on my "why do the majors hate 135 pilots rant", I look on the seniority list to find that two of our pilots were picked up by Alaska. I would go where the money and quick TPIC time will be if I were in your shoes. I might be a bit biased though.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

Do the freight. Regional FO's are a dime or a penny a dozen (nothing personal). TPIC in a crew environment will get you down the road to the big boys quicker - plus it sounds like you'll do a little better financially. Being 135 doesn't hurt vs. 121 as long as it's in a multi crew environment.


Max
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

Mr.Maximus said:
Do the freight. Regional FO's are a dime or a penny a dozen (nothing personal). TPIC in a crew environment will get you down the road to the big boys quicker - plus it sounds like you'll do a little better financially. Being 135 doesn't hurt vs. 121 as long as it's in a multi crew environment.


Max
Click to expand...

It would be muti crew flying the Shorts 360. Thanks guys.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

jtrain609 said:
If you want to go corporate/fractional ride a 135 company for all it's worth. You'll get the time you need and move onto that side of the business quickly.

If you want to go to a major to go a regional. There are folks that have flown 135 at mainline carriers, but the people CURRENTLY being hired are coming from regionals. Will it continue to be that way? Who knows, but that's the way it is now. The only folks I personally saw go from Ameriflight to a major were managment guys with resumes so impressive they could pretty much write their own ticket.

That's what I've seen so far, at least. But then again, I'm not personally in any huge rush to get up to mainline tomorrow. I realize it's going to take time and I'm more concerned about not hating my life/schedule than I am about racking up turbine PIC, so take what I say with a grain of salt.
Click to expand...


One of my old CAs at this same company after fulfilling his contract went on to fly corporate for about 3 years then got on with SWA about a year ago. I was thinking I could go that route or go to a place like PNCL and try and get on as a street CA. Then I would have gotten some jet experience that way then go on to main line if I wanted too.

Someone mentioned how close to base I would be. I would have to move out of my home state of TN. I am single and with no major ties. I would be spending the day in Nassau (like 8 hrs bumming around with around 12 hr duty) and my nights at my soon to be new appartment back in the States. Like I said though that could change soon and I would start work around 8:20am and be back around 1pm for a 5 hr work day which I think would be great.

I just don't want to limit my options latter on should I want to go to legacy at some point. Thanks to everyone for posting their thoughts please let me know if you have any more.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

In 1998 AirTran's minimums did not include ANY PIC turbine. They hired lots of Great Lakes, CCAir, and Chautauqua COPILOTS. Times change.

Take the freight job.
 
Re: Should I go regional FO or take a TPIC CA freight offer?

SD3, I think you've answered your own question here. The only thing to ask yourself now is: Why on earth would I go to a regional when this opportunity is right in front of me?
 
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