Are there any regionals, charter, and cargo airlines that will accept under 500 flight hours? If so, what are they and will they help me get to the major airlines?
Could I join Ameriflight or any cargo airline to build hours for the majors?
Joseph,
The Regionals in the US are 121 carriers and therefore are under the same 1500hr rule as the Majors. There are of course some light cargo and charter companies out there that can and will hire with lower fight time. Could you stay with them and eventually get to a Major? Sure, but why would you?
Competitive mins at the Majors are 3-5,000hrs. Why would you want to spend years doing local short hop flying making min pay when you could get hired at Regional, get paid pretty well, fly nice equipment, get travel benefits and gain great experience?
Adam
Adam,
I’m just trying to avoid being a flight instructor to gain flight hours.
Joining a charter or cargo airline will help me with my flight hours and build real life experience.
After I gain my 300-500 flight hours of flight school, could I just join a charter or cargo to build flight hours? Then move on to the major Airlines?
Really? No disrespect but you know that how? The fact is there are some good alternate flying jobs but there are also a ton where you’re essentially a gear and bag slinger. While you will build hours the quality of those hours will be poor. Like it or not flight instructing provides the opportunity to hone your skills on a daily basis. Getting hired at an airline is great but if you haven’t shot an approach for 2 years you will not survive newhire training.
As for the rest please read my response above.
Adam
Joseph,
Why are you not interested in instructing? I have to tell you that I learned more as a flight instructor than I ever did as a student. There is no better way to sharpen your skills than to teach them to somebody else.
If you do go to a charter or small cargo outfit, odds are that you will still need to go to the regionals before moving onto the majors.
Chris
I’m in the same boat, I don’t really want to teach either but I know for a fact, whenever I have had to teach people things, the knowledge sticks with me way more. I’m just gonna suck it up, instruct for the small time it takes and move on!
Chris,
For example, after I flight instruct, how many hours do I need to apply for the regionals or major airlines?
Aren’t Charter and Cargo jobs better to build hours IF I’m a low time pilot?
Joseph,
I would like to add one thing about the statements made above. Although I agree with everyone else in that instructing provides invaluable experience, not everyone should be one. Some just aren’t cut out for the job.
So, if you don’t want to instruct, that’s fine. There are other jobs out there, but avoiding both instructing and the regionals will not happen. At some point you will have to fly for a regional before you fly for a major.
Tory
Troy,
So your saying that if I flight instruct or find a Charter/Cargo airline to build hours, I have to be with the regionals first? Before I join the major airline?
Also, Ameriflight (a Charter/Cargo airline) hires First Officers a position below 500 TT. So, In that case, couldn’t I be a First Officer for ameriaflight and then work my up to a regional?
Yes. That’s what I’m saying.
Tory
You also have to keep in mind, how are you going to get to 500 hours. As a student you won’t do that much flying so you’d have to do something for like 2-300 to get there
No. Actually you could build hours at Amerifight before flying for a regional.
Tory
Joseph,
You need 1,500 hours to apply for the regionals and many thousands to apply for the majors.
We have both already answered your question about the quality of flight time earned as a low time pilot. Flight instruction is the best for low time pilots and the kinds of jobs that you will get with 500 hours are not going to lead to a job at the majors.
Chris
Everyone,
After I receive 500TT, I could fly with Americaflight as a First Officer, then work my up to the regionals?
Also, does every pilot need to become a FO at the regionals first, before joining the majors?
Sorry to bother, however I need to know my info first. Gotta make sure!
Joseph,
Again, yes. The majors want to see part 121 experience in a jet at a regional. Your time at Ameriflight serves the purpose of building hours towards your 1500 and building turbine pic time, if you’re there long enough to upgrade.
Tory