Upgrade to Capt.

GrantHubbell · February 27th, 2005, 19:34

Lets say that you work for a regional airline such as skywest. You are a FO on the CRJ and have recently had the chance to "upgrade" to captain--- on the Embraer Brasila 120. Would you "upgrade" to get more PIC time or stay at the current FO postion and get jet time? Would the pay change if you chose to "upgrade" ?

Thanks for the replies

QXDVR · February 27th, 2005, 20:09

Its really a personal decision but I'm looking to upgrade at the first chance to get the PIC time cause thats what really matters as well as the pay increase. I know some jet fo's who look down on the prop drivers and will only upgrade into the jet which at some companies could take over 10 year. The basic fact is if you want to move on you need the pic time.

SmitteyB · February 27th, 2005, 20:51

I'm in no way a professional pilot yet.

Here is a helpful hint:

[ QUOTE ]
When you make it to a regional, remember that pilot-in-command time is golden. I really wouldn't recommend passing up a possible captain upgrade on a turboprop to go fly as a first officer on a regional jet. You'll have a long career of flying turbojet aircraft and taking the early captain upgrade will speed your career progression.

-Doug Taylor

[/ QUOTE ]

Take directly from: http://jetcareers.com/regsched.htm

Cheechako · February 28th, 2005, 10:36

Two years after I got hired at Skywest, I had the opportunity to be FO in the jet, or hold out another couple months to upgrade in the Brasilia. I elected to take the right seat in the jet. My reasons: 1. substantial and immediate pay increase (very much needed at the time) 2. seniority (#20 out of 100 or so) 3. fresh brewed coffee!!

A good friend of mine held out a couple months for the Brasilia. While I was flying three-day trips with 17-19 days off a month, he was on reserve and flying 4-day trips with 10-14 days off.

A year later, we were in the same class- he transitioned to the jet, and I upgraded (about 800 hours behind in PIC time, but that's okay by me!).

It is a personal choice. My family time was more important to me than the coveted PIC time that my friend was anxious to get. His goal was to get to Southwest so the 1000 PIC was his goal. My goal was and still is Alaska and I had their required turbine PIC time from my previous job. He didn't have any kids to come home to, I was getting ready for our second.

Today he's at AirTran after having been turned down by Southwest. I'm still here at Skywest with almost 1400 PIC jet time still waiting for Alaska to call.

I don't think one path was better than another. With hiring at the majors being almost nonexistent, getting the PIC time is not as critical as it used to be.

Just my $.02

Bog · February 28th, 2005, 16:13

Similar here. When I went from Beech FO to CRJ FO, I could have simply upgraded in the Beech. Well, several of my buddies who stayed and upgraded in the Beech have moved onward and upward, while I'm still here.

Then again, some of those guys are still here. So, it's really a draw. Part of me really wishes I'd upgraded in the 1900, just to see if I could have been gone by now. But ... can't change the past.

It's all a matter of what's best for you.

mrivc211 · March 1st, 2005, 03:34

Like Chris said, it really depends on your situation and needs. I too value QOL a lot. I've enjoyed having many days off the last few months. Upgrading is important for me, but not at the expense of giving up my QOL. Unless things dramatically change at our company, I'm probably going to transition to the RJ at the end of summer.

Alaskaairlines · March 14th, 2005, 16:57

Chris,

Anything on the horizon at Alaska yet? Hope you get on soon! Are you interested in any particular base? ANC maybe?

Doug Taylor · March 14th, 2005, 22:41

Kristie and I are two of Alaska Airline's biggest fans. Love 'em love 'em love 'em!

Alaskaairlines · March 16th, 2005, 04:08

[ QUOTE ]
Kristie and I are two of Alaska Airline's biggest fans. Love 'em love 'em love 'em!

[/ QUOTE ]

Thats right brother.....great place! They are definately at the top of my list when I get to the point of getting on with somebody bigger. I'm not exactly sure what the future holds for the company. They need to secure some of there markets better. I've heard of JB opening a base in WA or ID (GEG/BOI), that would not be good for Alaska.

DE727UPS · March 16th, 2005, 10:51

JB? Are you kidding me? The only hint of any airline news around GEG is that Frontier (Horizon) and United are adding a flight to DEN for the summer. I think I heard American Eagle is starting flights from BOI to DFW. I did hear JB is going to start PDX service.

QXDVR · March 16th, 2005, 14:58

I've heard the JB/PDX deal as well. I know Alaska is looking at possible competition from Virgin Atlantic on some SOCAL-Northwest routes.

Cheechako · March 16th, 2005, 21:47

[ QUOTE ]
Chris,

Anything on the horizon at Alaska yet? Hope you get on soon! Are you interested in any particular base? ANC maybe?

[/ QUOTE ]

Got my connections all lined up, just waiting till they get their contract all figured out. Then, maybe, I'll get chosen out of the thousands on file to interview for the even fewer positions that will be available. Not holding my breath... in fact, we're buying a house here in Colorado. I think it's going to be a while!

If it all happens, definately going to be ANC based.

aloft · March 17th, 2005, 00:35

And naturally, by the time you get the call, ANC will have L.A.-esque congestion and traffic, and you won't want to live there anymore!

Besides, you can't leave until I get on at SkyWest!

Alaskaairlines · March 17th, 2005, 05:00

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Chris,

Anything on the horizon at Alaska yet? Hope you get on soon! Are you interested in any particular base? ANC maybe?

[/ QUOTE ]

Got my connections all lined up, just waiting till they get their contract all figured out. Then, maybe, I'll get chosen out of the thousands on file to interview for the even fewer positions that will be available. Not holding my breath... in fact, we're buying a house here in Colorado. I think it's going to be a while!

If it all happens, definately going to be ANC based.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure hope it happens sooner than later for you Chris! Maybe you'd even get a chance to fly the classic before they park them?

February 27th, 2005, 19:34	#1
GrantHubbell Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hanger A-10 Posts: 833	Upgrade to Capt. Lets say that you work for a regional airline such as skywest. You are a FO on the CRJ and have recently had the chance to "upgrade" to captain--- on the Embraer Brasila 120. Would you "upgrade" to get more PIC time or stay at the current FO postion and get jet time? Would the pay change if you chose to "upgrade" ? Thanks for the replies

February 27th, 2005, 20:51	#3
SmitteyB Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ithaca, NY Posts: 1,942	Re: Upgrade to Capt. I'm in no way a professional pilot yet. Here is a helpful hint: [ QUOTE ] When you make it to a regional, remember that pilot-in-command time is golden. I really wouldn't recommend passing up a possible captain upgrade on a turboprop to go fly as a first officer on a regional jet. You'll have a long career of flying turbojet aircraft and taking the early captain upgrade will speed your career progression. -Doug Taylor [/ QUOTE ] Take directly from: http://jetcareers.com/regsched.htm

February 28th, 2005, 10:36	#4
Cheechako Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 965	Re: Upgrade to Capt. Two years after I got hired at Skywest, I had the opportunity to be FO in the jet, or hold out another couple months to upgrade in the Brasilia. I elected to take the right seat in the jet. My reasons: 1. substantial and immediate pay increase (very much needed at the time) 2. seniority (#20 out of 100 or so) 3. fresh brewed coffee!! A good friend of mine held out a couple months for the Brasilia. While I was flying three-day trips with 17-19 days off a month, he was on reserve and flying 4-day trips with 10-14 days off. A year later, we were in the same class- he transitioned to the jet, and I upgraded (about 800 hours behind in PIC time, but that's okay by me!). It is a personal choice. My family time was more important to me than the coveted PIC time that my friend was anxious to get. His goal was to get to Southwest so the 1000 PIC was his goal. My goal was and still is Alaska and I had their required turbine PIC time from my previous job. He didn't have any kids to come home to, I was getting ready for our second. Today he's at AirTran after having been turned down by Southwest. I'm still here at Skywest with almost 1400 PIC jet time still waiting for Alaska to call. I don't think one path was better than another. With hiring at the majors being almost nonexistent, getting the PIC time is not as critical as it used to be. Just my $.02

February 28th, 2005, 16:13	#5
Bog Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,152	Re: Upgrade to Capt. Similar here. When I went from Beech FO to CRJ FO, I could have simply upgraded in the Beech. Well, several of my buddies who stayed and upgraded in the Beech have moved onward and upward, while I'm still here. Then again, some of those guys are still here. So, it's really a draw. Part of me really wishes I'd upgraded in the 1900, just to see if I could have been gone by now. But ... can't change the past. It's all a matter of what's best for you.

March 1st, 2005, 03:34	#6
mrivc211 Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,006	Re: Upgrade to Capt. Like Chris said, it really depends on your situation and needs. I too value QOL a lot. I've enjoyed having many days off the last few months. Upgrading is important for me, but not at the expense of giving up my QOL. Unless things dramatically change at our company, I'm probably going to transition to the RJ at the end of summer.

February 27th, 2005, 20:09	#2
QXDVR Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 112	Re: Upgrade to Capt. Its really a personal decision but I'm looking to upgrade at the first chance to get the PIC time cause thats what really matters as well as the pay increase. I know some jet fo's who look down on the prop drivers and will only upgrade into the jet which at some companies could take over 10 year. The basic fact is if you want to move on you need the pic time.

March 14th, 2005, 16:57	#7
Alaskaairlines Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 74	Re: Upgrade to Capt. Chris, Anything on the horizon at Alaska yet? Hope you get on soon! Are you interested in any particular base? ANC maybe?

March 14th, 2005, 22:41	#8
Doug Taylor Agent Smith Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: KSDL Posts: 39,830 Blog Entries: 1	Re: Upgrade to Capt. Kristie and I are two of Alaska Airline's biggest fans. Love 'em love 'em love 'em!

March 16th, 2005, 04:08	#9
Alaskaairlines Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 74	Re: Upgrade to Capt. [ QUOTE ] Kristie and I are two of Alaska Airline's biggest fans. Love 'em love 'em love 'em! [/ QUOTE ] Thats right brother.....great place! They are definately at the top of my list when I get to the point of getting on with somebody bigger. I'm not exactly sure what the future holds for the company. They need to secure some of there markets better. I've heard of JB opening a base in WA or ID (GEG/BOI), that would not be good for Alaska.

March 16th, 2005, 10:51	#10
DE727UPS Old Skool Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 6,482	Re: Upgrade to Capt. JB? Are you kidding me? The only hint of any airline news around GEG is that Frontier (Horizon) and United are adding a flight to DEN for the summer. I think I heard American Eagle is starting flights from BOI to DFW. I did hear JB is going to start PDX service.

March 16th, 2005, 14:58	#11
QXDVR Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Colorado Posts: 112	Re: Upgrade to Capt. I've heard the JB/PDX deal as well. I know Alaska is looking at possible competition from Virgin Atlantic on some SOCAL-Northwest routes.

March 16th, 2005, 21:47	#12
Cheechako Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 965	Re: Upgrade to Capt. [ QUOTE ] Chris, Anything on the horizon at Alaska yet? Hope you get on soon! Are you interested in any particular base? ANC maybe? [/ QUOTE ] Got my connections all lined up, just waiting till they get their contract all figured out. Then, maybe, I'll get chosen out of the thousands on file to interview for the even fewer positions that will be available. Not holding my breath... in fact, we're buying a house here in Colorado. I think it's going to be a while! If it all happens, definately going to be ANC based.

March 17th, 2005, 00:35	#13
aloft Old Skool Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Inside your OODA loop Posts: 6,723	Re: Upgrade to Capt. And naturally, by the time you get the call, ANC will have L.A.-esque congestion and traffic, and you won't want to live there anymore! Besides, you can't leave until I get on at SkyWest!

March 17th, 2005, 05:00	#14
Alaskaairlines Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Wasilla, AK Posts: 74	Re: Upgrade to Capt. [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Chris, Anything on the horizon at Alaska yet? Hope you get on soon! Are you interested in any particular base? ANC maybe? [/ QUOTE ] Got my connections all lined up, just waiting till they get their contract all figured out. Then, maybe, I'll get chosen out of the thousands on file to interview for the even fewer positions that will be available. Not holding my breath... in fact, we're buying a house here in Colorado. I think it's going to be a while! If it all happens, definately going to be ANC based. [/ QUOTE ] Sure hope it happens sooner than later for you Chris! Maybe you'd even get a chance to fly the classic before they park them?

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