Upgrade Times?

[Soonermurph]

Does anybody know of a resource that lists estimated upgrade times at various regional airlines?

[Doug Taylor]

To save you a little hassle (and maybe some strife), upgrade times are almost like watching the stock market.

By the time the word hits the street about how long upgrades are, generally, they've swung the other direction, and vice versa.

[Soonermurph]

I know that past performance is no guarantee of future accuracy but it would nice to see some trends.

[C650CPT]

My last two corporate gigs I was hired as a Captain ( Pay wise ), even before being typed. The first gig ( CE-550 ) I had about 100 hrs. in the jet when I was hired and flew it for another 50 hrs. before I went to school and got typed, my second flight after school I flew as Capt with a part time copilot. My present job ( CE 650 ) I waited about 4 mos ( about 250 hrs. ) before going to school and getting typed. I flew about another 50 hrs. before I flew with a part time copilot. Every Corporate department is different as well, it all comes down to the need of the department and the ability of the individual to meet that need.

Jim

[Canis_Lupus]

The most Junior Capt (EMB-120) at the airline I fly for (SkyWest) has a DOH of March 2003. Most of the left seaters have around 2+ years in for the Brasilia and 3+ for the CRJ. Hope that gives you some idea.

[kellwolf]

Also keep in mind that some airlines have a minimum amount of time for you to be at the airline (or corporate flight dept) before upgrading. Nothing like having a PIC who isn't totally familiar with company policies. Mesa is something like 6 months, but most places have a clause to waive that if they need to. Not sure, but you'd probably need 1500 hours TT as well.

[MikeD]

Crappier regionals typically have faster upgrades.

Mesa fits in that group well.

[Soonermurph]

So I should get on with the crappiest regional? Now to convince my wife.

[MikeD]

[ QUOTE ]
So I should get on with the crappiest regional? Now to convince my wife.

[/ QUOTE ]

I say no.

Reason I say that is because the reason people like Mesa's CEO get away with what they do (lousy pilot pay, treat employees like crap) is the DIRECT fault of the pilots. The fact that pilots are willing to work at Mesa, tells the CEO a lot. It says that the pilots there think they're only worth 18K a year since they're willing to work for 18K a year, with many more resumes of people that'd LOVE to work for 18K a year, and EVEN MORE people that would GLADLY pay the CEO 50K in order to later work for him for 18K (MAPD, PACE programs etc).

The more idiot pilots that willingly work for these companies, the more the industry becomes the "janitor wages" it's become lately. Pilots make this happen, and pilots keep it happening....all with the excuse of "searching for that 0.1 PIC, wherever and whenever they can get it." Screw better working conditions.....it's the "me, me, me...what can I do for me" generation of aspiring pilots.

Pilots will work at Mesa, then bitch about the pay and work conditions......almost as if someone had told them they'd be making 100K at Mesa a year, and now suddenly, they find that to not be true. BS! They knew that all along. Many Mesa guys rationalize this idiotic behavior by saying "I'm just here to build time, I'll be making the $$$ at the majors when I get there". But soon, other CEOs will see that pilots are willing to work for squat at regionals, why not pay them squat at the majors....it's no difference, right?" I guaran-damn-tee you that things are headed that way.

Mesa's CEO might be a prick, but he's simply doing what any CEO would do, accepting the concessions his group of lemming idiot pilots happily offer.

[aloft]

You're building a quality resume there at ATP, dude. If you wanna stay out west, hold out for Horizon or SkyWest.

[Mr_Creepy]

[ QUOTE ]
Mesa's CEO might be a prick, but he's simply doing what any CEO would do, accepting the concessions his group of lemming idiot pilots happily offer.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with you in the last sentence MikeD. JO is no worse than any CEO of any regional. None of his tricks are new, creative or otherwise different than any other airline. Even the Freedom (alter ego airline) trick has been tried a bunch of times. Reno Air?

If you think about it, what are commuter/regional airlines but alter ego airlines?

Mesa is like any other place. They treat you the same as any other regional. If you are a complainer you won't be happy anywhere. If you know what you are there for, which is a fast upgrade to start building turbine PIC and make captain's money fast, then it's not a bad place.

The way some of you talk you make it sound like Gulfstream or something.