Looking for career advice Pt. 2.5

[LostAndConfused]

Hey Everyone,

Wow times have changed - viewtopic.php?t=198166 (Previous Post)

I ended up changing to another 703 operator and recently upgrading to Captain and enjoying my time on the left seat. However, I've reached another obstacle in my career and I'm looking for some insight.

ATPL
2600+ TT
2000 hours on the PC12 (250 PIC)
No longer interested in flying Cargo in the US, but still hopeful for a US carrier but I'm happy to stay in Canada as well.

My operator is expanding and the proposed plans are attractive to me, however I may not have the seniority nor meet the requirements for the new equipment. I enjoy my time at my operator and I'm still in love with the PC12 but I'm scratching for a WB as that was the dream when I was a kid. Due to personal matters, I am eager to return home after being away from friends and family for many years now. I have options available for myself but I don't know how to approach this.

Options:

1. Rotational Captain (1 Week On/ 1 Week Off) (Current Company)

2. Type Rating on new equipment when my turn arrives - maybe use it as leverage to the US for entry + a possible opportunity to move closer to home with current operator (Current Company)

3. Apply to the airlines

I'm happy with either option. I'm not looking for a decision to be made for me, I want to be well-informed prior to making my decision.

Thanks

As a piece of advice for any pilot deciding to upgrade or go to the airlines, take the upgrade - it was the best decision I ever made.

[flying4dollars]

Apply to the airlines, sure but take whatever opportunity comes first as you are never guaranteed anything. Good luck!

[LostAndConfused]

Apply to the airlines, sure but take whatever opportunity comes first as you are never guaranteed anything. Good luck!

I see that I made a mistake in the list. Edits have been made. The first and second options allows me to stay at my current role. The third option is apply to the airlines.

[cdnavater]

Hey Everyone,

Wow times have changed - viewtopic.php?t=198166 (Previous Post)

I ended up changing to another 703 operator and recently upgrading to Captain and enjoying my time on the left seat. However, I've reached another obstacle in my career and I'm looking for some insight.

ATPL
2600+ TT
2000 hours on the PC12 (250 PIC)
No longer interested in flying Cargo in the US, but still hopeful for a US carrier but I'm happy to stay in Canada as well.

My operator is expanding and the proposed plans are attractive to me, however I may not have the seniority nor meet the requirements for the new equipment. I enjoy my time at my operator and I'm still in love with the PC12 but I'm scratching for a WB as that was the dream when I was a kid. Due to personal matters, I am eager to return home after being away from friends and family for many years now. I have options available for myself but I don't know how to approach this.

Options:

1. Rotational Captain (1 Week On/ 1 Week Off) (Current Company)

2. Type Rating on new equipment when my turn arrives - maybe use it as leverage to the US for entry + a possible opportunity to move closer to home with current operator (Current Company)

3. Apply to the airlines

I'm happy with either option. I'm not looking for a decision to be made for me, I want to be well-informed prior to making my decision.

Thanks

As a piece of advice for any pilot deciding to upgrade or go to the airlines, take the upgrade - it was the best decision I ever made.

Part of the problem with your post, it’s hard to inform with only part of the information.
You say you’re fine with either option but want to be informed, impossible without the full picture, what equipment in option 2 gives you leverage to get into the US?
Where is home? Are there no other options getting you closer to home, we couldn’t possibly answer that without the where?
Telling a pilot taking the upgrade being the “best decision I ever made” without context is useless advice! Why, what has it provided you other than a loss of a few thousand seniority numbers since your original post Sept 2023?
A friend asked my advice years ago, the question was stay at his current 705 operation(Calm Air) or go to an airline(AC), he had many years of seniority, a good pension, lived in a much cheaper city, would have to move because he would not entertain commuting, take a pretty big pay cut initially, etc.
I asked him one question that seemed to make the decision easy, would you be happy waking up Rankin inlet for the next 30 years?
A simple question, would you be happy staying at your current operation if option 2 doesn’t help you get to the US?
Working for an airline will also help you get to the US but every month you delay this is loss of seniority that will have very impactful lifestyle and money ramifications.
My above mentioned buddy was able to hold a wide body left seat this most recent bid, top pay widebody is good pay but means reserve for a long time, how long really depends on when you start.
There has been a hiring spree for the last few years but it is slowing to a more normal or even slower pace, this means anyone starting now will take much longer to hold left seat and sit at the bottom for longer, every class pushing you further down.
So without all the details, my advice would be, if you would be happy to stay long term at your present employer, do that, if not I would apply to the airlines ASAP!

[330heavy]

Get as much PIC (multi preferred) as you can. Hiring all over has slowed down. In the past PIC was king and still is IMO, and it will help you down the road when you go captain at an airline, and increase your competitiveness on the resume in Canada and in the US.

[flying4dollars]

Hey Everyone,

Wow times have changed - viewtopic.php?t=198166 (Previous Post)

I ended up changing to another 703 operator and recently upgrading to Captain and enjoying my time on the left seat. However, I've reached another obstacle in my career and I'm looking for some insight.

ATPL
2600+ TT
2000 hours on the PC12 (250 PIC)
No longer interested in flying Cargo in the US, but still hopeful for a US carrier but I'm happy to stay in Canada as well.

My operator is expanding and the proposed plans are attractive to me, however I may not have the seniority nor meet the requirements for the new equipment. I enjoy my time at my operator and I'm still in love with the PC12 but I'm scratching for a WB as that was the dream when I was a kid. Due to personal matters, I am eager to return home after being away from friends and family for many years now. I have options available for myself but I don't know how to approach this.

Options:

1. Rotational Captain (1 Week On/ 1 Week Off) (Current Company)

2. Type Rating on new equipment when my turn arrives - maybe use it as leverage to the US for entry + a possible opportunity to move closer to home with current operator (Current Company)

3. Apply to the airlines

I'm happy with either option. I'm not looking for a decision to be made for me, I want to be well-informed prior to making my decision.
Thanks

As a piece of advice for any pilot deciding to upgrade or go to the airlines, take the upgrade - it was the best decision I ever made.

Part of the problem with your post, it’s hard to inform with only part of the information.
You say you’re fine with either option but want to be informed, impossible without the full picture, what equipment in option 2 gives you leverage to get into the US?
Where is home? Are there no other options getting you closer to home, we couldn’t possibly answer that without the where?
Telling a pilot taking the upgrade being the “best decision I ever made” without context is useless advice! Why, what has it provided you other than a loss of a few thousand seniority numbers since your original post Sept 2023?
A friend asked my advice years ago, the question was stay at his current 705 operation(Calm Air) or go to an airline(AC), he had many years of seniority, a good pension, lived in a much cheaper city, would have to move because he would not entertain commuting, take a pretty big pay cut initially, etc.
I asked him one question that seemed to make the decision easy, would you be happy waking up Rankin inlet for the next 30 years?
A simple question, would you be happy staying at your current operation if option 2 doesn’t help you get to the US?
Working for an airline will also help you get to the US but every month you delay this is loss of seniority that will have very impactful lifestyle and money ramifications.
My above mentioned buddy was able to hold a wide body left seat this most recent bid, top pay widebody is good pay but means reserve for a long time, how long really depends on when you start.
There has been a hiring spree for the last few years but it is slowing to a more normal or even slower pace, this means anyone starting now will take much longer to hold left seat and sit at the bottom for longer, every class pushing you further down.
So without all the details, my advice would be, if you would be happy to stay long term at your present employer, do that, if not I would apply to the airlines ASAP!

Yeah, +1. Well said. I would most definitely continue to progress in your current position and add to your 'resume', but also be applying to the airlines knowing it's not a guarantee, but you'd be ready to go at a moments notice should they offer you a position. Also unless you're American or have some connection, I wouldn't be fully counting on a career down there being overly realistic (I haven't read into your history so I don't know your background). Without any of the aforementioned equities, you'd need some fairly significant experience to prove you're worthy of the EB3 Visa (or whatever it is).

[LostAndConfused]

Hey Everyone,

Wow times have changed - viewtopic.php?t=198166 (Previous Post)

I ended up changing to another 703 operator and recently upgrading to Captain and enjoying my time on the left seat. However, I've reached another obstacle in my career and I'm looking for some insight.

ATPL
2600+ TT
2000 hours on the PC12 (250 PIC)
No longer interested in flying Cargo in the US, but still hopeful for a US carrier but I'm happy to stay in Canada as well.

My operator is expanding and the proposed plans are attractive to me, however I may not have the seniority nor meet the requirements for the new equipment. I enjoy my time at my operator and I'm still in love with the PC12 but I'm scratching for a WB as that was the dream when I was a kid. Due to personal matters, I am eager to return home after being away from friends and family for many years now. I have options available for myself but I don't know how to approach this.

Options:

1. Rotational Captain (1 Week On/ 1 Week Off) (Current Company)

2. Type Rating on new equipment when my turn arrives - maybe use it as leverage to the US for entry + a possible opportunity to move closer to home with current operator (Current Company)

3. Apply to the airlines

I'm happy with either option. I'm not looking for a decision to be made for me, I want to be well-informed prior to making my decision.
Thanks

As a piece of advice for any pilot deciding to upgrade or go to the airlines, take the upgrade - it was the best decision I ever made.

Part of the problem with your post, it’s hard to inform with only part of the information.
You say you’re fine with either option but want to be informed, impossible without the full picture, what equipment in option 2 gives you leverage to get into the US?
Where is home? Are there no other options getting you closer to home, we couldn’t possibly answer that without the where?
Telling a pilot taking the upgrade being the “best decision I ever made” without context is useless advice! Why, what has it provided you other than a loss of a few thousand seniority numbers since your original post Sept 2023?
A friend asked my advice years ago, the question was stay at his current 705 operation(Calm Air) or go to an airline(AC), he had many years of seniority, a good pension, lived in a much cheaper city, would have to move because he would not entertain commuting, take a pretty big pay cut initially, etc.
I asked him one question that seemed to make the decision easy, would you be happy waking up Rankin inlet for the next 30 years?
A simple question, would you be happy staying at your current operation if option 2 doesn’t help you get to the US?
Working for an airline will also help you get to the US but every month you delay this is loss of seniority that will have very impactful lifestyle and money ramifications.
My above mentioned buddy was able to hold a wide body left seat this most recent bid, top pay widebody is good pay but means reserve for a long time, how long really depends on when you start.
There has been a hiring spree for the last few years but it is slowing to a more normal or even slower pace, this means anyone starting now will take much longer to hold left seat and sit at the bottom for longer, every class pushing you further down.
So without all the details, my advice would be, if you would be happy to stay long term at your present employer, do that, if not I would apply to the airlines ASAP!

Yeah, +1. Well said. I would most definitely continue to progress in your current position and add to your 'resume', but also be applying to the airlines knowing it's not a guarantee, but you'd be ready to go at a moments notice should they offer you a position. Also unless you're American or have some connection, I wouldn't be fully counting on a career down there being overly realistic (I haven't read into your history so I don't know your background). Without any of the aforementioned equities, you'd need some fairly significant experience to prove you're worthy of the EB3 Visa (or whatever it is).

For the sake of anonymity, I intentionally left out personal details not to sway any opinions and only mention the important bits. Moving closer to home is absolutely my goal and I can satisfy that need with any of the options listed. All other aspects of my life are good and stable which is why I don't feel like its necessary to mention it. Like previously mentioned, I'm not looking for someone to make a decision for me, I want to be informed prior to me making a decision.

The only question I have regarding joining the airlines in my situation is - If I were to be hired today at a major 705 I would have 35.5 years until I age out - which I intend to do. Does seniority really matter if I have such a long career ahead?

Thank you for both of your responses, I greatly appreciate it

[cdnavater]

Part of the problem with your post, it’s hard to inform with only part of the information.
You say you’re fine with either option but want to be informed, impossible without the full picture, what equipment in option 2 gives you leverage to get into the US?
Where is home? Are there no other options getting you closer to home, we couldn’t possibly answer that without the where?
Telling a pilot taking the upgrade being the “best decision I ever made” without context is useless advice! Why, what has it provided you other than a loss of a few thousand seniority numbers since your original post Sept 2023?
A friend asked my advice years ago, the question was stay at his current 705 operation(Calm Air) or go to an airline(AC), he had many years of seniority, a good pension, lived in a much cheaper city, would have to move because he would not entertain commuting, take a pretty big pay cut initially, etc.
I asked him one question that seemed to make the decision easy, would you be happy waking up Rankin inlet for the next 30 years?
A simple question, would you be happy staying at your current operation if option 2 doesn’t help you get to the US?
Working for an airline will also help you get to the US but every month you delay this is loss of seniority that will have very impactful lifestyle and money ramifications.
My above mentioned buddy was able to hold a wide body left seat this most recent bid, top pay widebody is good pay but means reserve for a long time, how long really depends on when you start.
There has been a hiring spree for the last few years but it is slowing to a more normal or even slower pace, this means anyone starting now will take much longer to hold left seat and sit at the bottom for longer, every class pushing you further down.
So without all the details, my advice would be, if you would be happy to stay long term at your present employer, do that, if not I would apply to the airlines ASAP!

Yeah, +1. Well said. I would most definitely continue to progress in your current position and add to your 'resume', but also be applying to the airlines knowing it's not a guarantee, but you'd be ready to go at a moments notice should they offer you a position. Also unless you're American or have some connection, I wouldn't be fully counting on a career down there being overly realistic (I haven't read into your history so I don't know your background). Without any of the aforementioned equities, you'd need some fairly significant experience to prove you're worthy of the EB3 Visa (or whatever it is).

For the sake of anonymity, I intentionally left out personal details not to sway any opinions and only mention the important bits. Moving closer to home is absolutely my goal and I can satisfy that need with any of the options listed. All other aspects of my life are good and stable which is why I don't feel like its necessary to mention it. Like previously mentioned, I'm not looking for someone to make a decision for me, I want to be informed prior to me making a decision.

The only question I have regarding joining the airlines in my situation is - If I were to be hired today at a major 705 I would have 35.5 years until I age out - which I intend to do. Does seniority really matter if I have such a long career ahead?

Thank you for both of your responses, I greatly appreciate it

Not really sure what information you’re looking for then, I’ll just talk about seniority then.
If you get hired at the end of a hiring boom, keep in mind many of the new hires at AC in the last few years are under 30, so with that said they also have a 35+ career ahead of them. This means you are currently behind all of them and it could mean the difference of never holding wide body left seat or possibly only for the last few years of that career.
Those hired at Jazz 2005-2007 could not hold left seat for the first 10 years of their career, pml 1.0 is the only reason I was able to at the 10 years mark, without that it would likely have been 15 years to be a junior Captain in YUL. Since then we have hired many but the list only really moves in the bottom half, top half is just retirements. I haven’t moved much in the last few years and a 30 year career at Jazz will get me in the top 150 for the last few years based on predicted retirements.
At AC anyone hired today can likely expect a much longer wait for a left seat than a couple years ago, difficult to predict because new aircraft may become replacement aircraft instead of growth.

[CaptDukeNukem]

Part of the problem with your post, it’s hard to inform with only part of the information.
You say you’re fine with either option but want to be informed, impossible without the full picture, what equipment in option 2 gives you leverage to get into the US?
Where is home? Are there no other options getting you closer to home, we couldn’t possibly answer that without the where?
Telling a pilot taking the upgrade being the “best decision I ever made” without context is useless advice! Why, what has it provided you other than a loss of a few thousand seniority numbers since your original post Sept 2023?
A friend asked my advice years ago, the question was stay at his current 705 operation(Calm Air) or go to an airline(AC), he had many years of seniority, a good pension, lived in a much cheaper city, would have to move because he would not entertain commuting, take a pretty big pay cut initially, etc.
I asked him one question that seemed to make the decision easy, would you be happy waking up Rankin inlet for the next 30 years?
A simple question, would you be happy staying at your current operation if option 2 doesn’t help you get to the US?
Working for an airline will also help you get to the US but every month you delay this is loss of seniority that will have very impactful lifestyle and money ramifications.
My above mentioned buddy was able to hold a wide body left seat this most recent bid, top pay widebody is good pay but means reserve for a long time, how long really depends on when you start.
There has been a hiring spree for the last few years but it is slowing to a more normal or even slower pace, this means anyone starting now will take much longer to hold left seat and sit at the bottom for longer, every class pushing you further down.
So without all the details, my advice would be, if you would be happy to stay long term at your present employer, do that, if not I would apply to the airlines ASAP!

Yeah, +1. Well said. I would most definitely continue to progress in your current position and add to your 'resume', but also be applying to the airlines knowing it's not a guarantee, but you'd be ready to go at a moments notice should they offer you a position. Also unless you're American or have some connection, I wouldn't be fully counting on a career down there being overly realistic (I haven't read into your history so I don't know your background). Without any of the aforementioned equities, you'd need some fairly significant experience to prove you're worthy of the EB3 Visa (or whatever it is).

For the sake of anonymity, I intentionally left out personal details not to sway any opinions and only mention the important bits. Moving closer to home is absolutely my goal and I can satisfy that need with any of the options listed. All other aspects of my life are good and stable which is why I don't feel like its necessary to mention it. Like previously mentioned, I'm not looking for someone to make a decision for me, I want to be informed prior to me making a decision.

The only question I have regarding joining the airlines in my situation is - If I were to be hired today at a major 705 I would have 35.5 years until I age out - which I intend to do. Does seniority really matter if I have such a long career ahead?

Thank you for both of your responses, I greatly appreciate it

The only number that matters… is your seniority number.

[flying4dollars]

Part of the problem with your post, it’s hard to inform with only part of the information.
You say you’re fine with either option but want to be informed, impossible without the full picture, what equipment in option 2 gives you leverage to get into the US?
Where is home? Are there no other options getting you closer to home, we couldn’t possibly answer that without the where?
Telling a pilot taking the upgrade being the “best decision I ever made” without context is useless advice! Why, what has it provided you other than a loss of a few thousand seniority numbers since your original post Sept 2023?
A friend asked my advice years ago, the question was stay at his current 705 operation(Calm Air) or go to an airline(AC), he had many years of seniority, a good pension, lived in a much cheaper city, would have to move because he would not entertain commuting, take a pretty big pay cut initially, etc.
I asked him one question that seemed to make the decision easy, would you be happy waking up Rankin inlet for the next 30 years?
A simple question, would you be happy staying at your current operation if option 2 doesn’t help you get to the US?
Working for an airline will also help you get to the US but every month you delay this is loss of seniority that will have very impactful lifestyle and money ramifications.
My above mentioned buddy was able to hold a wide body left seat this most recent bid, top pay widebody is good pay but means reserve for a long time, how long really depends on when you start.
There has been a hiring spree for the last few years but it is slowing to a more normal or even slower pace, this means anyone starting now will take much longer to hold left seat and sit at the bottom for longer, every class pushing you further down.
So without all the details, my advice would be, if you would be happy to stay long term at your present employer, do that, if not I would apply to the airlines ASAP!

Yeah, +1. Well said. I would most definitely continue to progress in your current position and add to your 'resume', but also be applying to the airlines knowing it's not a guarantee, but you'd be ready to go at a moments notice should they offer you a position. Also unless you're American or have some connection, I wouldn't be fully counting on a career down there being overly realistic (I haven't read into your history so I don't know your background). Without any of the aforementioned equities, you'd need some fairly significant experience to prove you're worthy of the EB3 Visa (or whatever it is).

For the sake of anonymity, I intentionally left out personal details not to sway any opinions and only mention the important bits. Moving closer to home is absolutely my goal and I can satisfy that need with any of the options listed. All other aspects of my life are good and stable which is why I don't feel like its necessary to mention it. Like previously mentioned, I'm not looking for someone to make a decision for me, I want to be informed prior to me making a decision.

The only question I have regarding joining the airlines in my situation is - If I were to be hired today at a major 705 I would have 35.5 years until I age out - which I intend to do. Does seniority really matter if I have such a long career ahead?

Thank you for both of your responses, I greatly appreciate it

Yes, it can have a fairly significant impact. As you know in aviation, everything both good and bad happens in waves. AC saw arguably it's most significant growth in 2022. A year where new hires were holding left seat positions inside of a year. That has historically been unheard of. Fast forward to now, and those days are gone. Will they return? I do not know. Nobody does. Nobody knows what AC, let alone the industry will look like in the next day, month or year. It can be that volatile. Skipping a few years could mean leaving hundreds of thousands of dollars on the table. No, that is not an exaggeration. It can also have a big impact on your QoL depending on when you could have joined vs when you actually do.

My advice still stands. If the airlines is where you want to be, regardless of the country, apply and don't put it off. In the meantime, you're at least still building and strengthening your career portfolio. Good luck!

[SpyPilot]

Why do you peelots insist on repeatedly copying previous posters comments?

Do we really need to see cdnavater post again and again six (6!) times?

Looks like a whole lot of unnecessary clutter to me

[cdnavater]

Why do you peelots insist on repeatedly copying previous posters comments?

Do we really need to see cdnavater post again and again six (6!) times?

Looks like a whole lot of unnecessary clutter to me

First of all, it’s five times including the original post!
Second, I agree about clutter but it’s pretty easy to tell what is the new content with a few exceptions of when someone replies inside the quotations and everything I say is important so it should be repeated at least five or six times, carryon

[SpyPilot]

.

[SpyPilot]

"First of all, it’s five times including the original post!"

Second of all, it's six by my count but then I never turned a prop without a calculator in the left breast pocket of my tan CAF surplus flight suit

No matter really but I just don't get it.