Hello -
I have a bit of a strange career situation. After a 5 year sebarical from 121 flying, I returned to the flight deck, by way of Envoy this past October. Without sounding boastful, training went very well, even more so when considering that I have flown only 10 hours during that 5 year break.
I have 1700tt, and just about 1000 hours under part 121 (I flew pre ATP rule). At Envoy, they are displacing any FOs, to the left seat as soon as they hit the 1000sic, not considering TT, or recency. I have spoken with Envoy leadership and they are confident that despite my lack of recency, that I will be a fine captain. Of course, it’s great that leadership has that sort of confidence in your ability, but my fear is that I will be violated or worse, simply by getting into a situation that I have not experienced yet.
I mention this to every captain I fly with it, and they agree that it’s a crazy situation but don’t have the authority to make any macro changes to my situation. On every flight, I try to ask questions about the release, mx log, etc, and spend time in FM1, so I can start thinking like a captain but there is just so much to be aware of, and this is all while I am trying to get comfortable again in the IFR/121 environment.
As the junior base will require commuting to CA, this has brought up thoughts on weather I should leave Envoy and join a new carrier if I have to commute anyways. I am approaching the minimums as a few of the ACMI carriers, and wonder if I would even have a shot. The flying would be new, and I would learn a new skill set with no imminent upgrade on the horizon. However, the other side of me, is excited about the prospect of captain, and being able to check that 1000 tpic box sooner rather than later.
At the end of the day, I want to make a safe decision that still positions me well to eventually join a legacy/national airline (even absent a flow agreement).
Thank you!
FlyPurdue
I have a bit of a strange career situation. After a 5 year sebarical from 121 flying, I returned to the flight deck, by way of Envoy this past October. Without sounding boastful, training went very well, even more so when considering that I have flown only 10 hours during that 5 year break.
I have 1700tt, and just about 1000 hours under part 121 (I flew pre ATP rule). At Envoy, they are displacing any FOs, to the left seat as soon as they hit the 1000sic, not considering TT, or recency. I have spoken with Envoy leadership and they are confident that despite my lack of recency, that I will be a fine captain. Of course, it’s great that leadership has that sort of confidence in your ability, but my fear is that I will be violated or worse, simply by getting into a situation that I have not experienced yet.
I mention this to every captain I fly with it, and they agree that it’s a crazy situation but don’t have the authority to make any macro changes to my situation. On every flight, I try to ask questions about the release, mx log, etc, and spend time in FM1, so I can start thinking like a captain but there is just so much to be aware of, and this is all while I am trying to get comfortable again in the IFR/121 environment.
As the junior base will require commuting to CA, this has brought up thoughts on weather I should leave Envoy and join a new carrier if I have to commute anyways. I am approaching the minimums as a few of the ACMI carriers, and wonder if I would even have a shot. The flying would be new, and I would learn a new skill set with no imminent upgrade on the horizon. However, the other side of me, is excited about the prospect of captain, and being able to check that 1000 tpic box sooner rather than later.
At the end of the day, I want to make a safe decision that still positions me well to eventually join a legacy/national airline (even absent a flow agreement).
Thank you!
FlyPurdue
