1200TT pilot with jet time advice
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1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Hi fellow aviators,
Context here, I was born and raised in Canada but managed to find my first job in another country and got some jet time (900) on the 737. I got recently employed by Lynx Air and moved back to Canada but as you all know, it went sideways and we all lost our job. I didn’t have the chance to finish my PPC. I have 1200TT with my IATRA and I applied with Transat, Cargojet, Porter, Jetlines and Flair. Out of your experience, what course of action would you recommend? I tried going back to my previous airline but they don’t seem keen on getting me back… Out of all the airlines I applied for, only one answered. I trust your expertise to help a young man get back on track.
Regards,
Greezer
Context here, I was born and raised in Canada but managed to find my first job in another country and got some jet time (900) on the 737. I got recently employed by Lynx Air and moved back to Canada but as you all know, it went sideways and we all lost our job. I didn’t have the chance to finish my PPC. I have 1200TT with my IATRA and I applied with Transat, Cargojet, Porter, Jetlines and Flair. Out of your experience, what course of action would you recommend? I tried going back to my previous airline but they don’t seem keen on getting me back… Out of all the airlines I applied for, only one answered. I trust your expertise to help a young man get back on track.
Regards,
Greezer
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Go to a northern operator, get some bush time and wait your turn. Too many of your type in the industry who think they’re entitled.
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Appreciate your advice, especially the last part. Never knew that I was entitled just because I got jet time, or because I genuinely asked for help from respectable, reliable and professional gentlemen. 

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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Wow. Someone with a little bit of experience comes on here looking for advice to help with their job search and you call that "entitled". Amazing. Congratulations, you are part of the problem.Happyflyer78 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:45 am Go to a northern operator, get some bush time and wait your turn. Too many of your type in the industry who think they’re entitled.
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Conflicting Traffic please advise.
Conflicting Traffic please advise.
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Unfortunately it's an indication of the kind of attitude you'll encounter in your job search.greezer733 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:08 am Appreciate your advice, especially the last part. Never knew that I was entitled just because I got jet time, or because I genuinely asked for help from respectable, reliable and professional gentlemen.![]()
1200 hours might not be enough to get you in a jet in Canada though. 703 or 704 ops might not like to hire you because of your jet time, as they interpret it as 'he'll want to leave quickly!', even though 99% of the pilots they hire have the same goal. It's quite unfair, but unfortunately also reality.
You could try medevac operations. They are usually pretty desperate for pilots.
For an airline job, you might have more luck abroad. 500 hours on type is often the magic number there, although competition for the jobs might be even more fierce.
As an AvCanada discussion grows longer:
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Thanks a lot for the tips. I was told that Encore and Jazz will gladly take me. I am honestly not chasing a seniority number so I am kind of thinking about maybe applying to both operators, don’t know if it’s the right choice though. Medevac sounds good but I suppose it will mean being on call and not flying that much. I just want to fly as much as possible, get my ATPL, amd apply elsewhere as foreign airlines ask for an ATPL and more than 2000 hours. Got the 500h jet time though.
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
You'll likely fly quite a bit during medevac. More than you'd like in the middle of the night. 600 - 800 hours a year should be doable on medevac.greezer733 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:53 am Thanks a lot for the tips. I was told that Encore and Jazz will gladly take me. I am honestly not chasing a seniority number so I am kind of thinking about maybe applying to both operators, don’t know if it’s the right choice though. Medevac sounds good but I suppose it will mean being on call and not flying that much. I just want to fly as much as possible, get my ATPL, amd apply elsewhere as foreign airlines ask for an ATPL and more than 2000 hours. Got the 500h jet time though.
As an AvCanada discussion grows longer:
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Don’t listen to happyflyer78. He can’t land a 705 job even with his thousands of hours or multi turbo-prop PIC. What a loser!!
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Time’s a little low but with jet time on Boeing, cargojet might be an option. Medium busy schedule 300-400 a year. Widebody, 15 days a month max. Training department a bit backed up on line indoc these days though.
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Hes a 6000 PIC King Air troll that isn't getting a call back from even Jazz or Encore. Ignore him.greezer733 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 10:08 am Appreciate your advice, especially the last part. Never knew that I was entitled just because I got jet time, or because I genuinely asked for help from respectable, reliable and professional gentlemen.![]()
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Cargojet is hard 1500TT. They do also prefer some MPIC time but the main obstacle is the 1500 which they won’t budge on.
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
I did apply to Cargojet but haven’t received any call yet, quite early though as I applied few days ago. I assisted to a virtual conference and they said that the 1500 requirement can be adjusted for some candidates. Not feeling like an exception but we’ll see how it goes in the next few days. Thanks everyone for the tips, and thanks to the troll for making this thread more popular! 

Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
The other thing to note about Jazz or Encore is don’t forget that if Air Canada is an option for you, then choose encore, porter etc but not Jazz.greezer733 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:31 pm I did apply to Cargojet but haven’t received any call yet, quite early though as I applied few days ago. I assisted to a virtual conference and they said that the 1500 requirement can be adjusted for some candidates. Not feeling like an exception but we’ll see how it goes in the next few days. Thanks everyone for the tips, and thanks to the troll for making this thread more popular!![]()
If you want Westjet let’s say, then choose Jazz or porter over Encore. Because WJ and AC have snail pace flow, it has to be criss-crossed this way unfortunately.
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Yeah I figured in the current hiring market that the jet time MIGHT sway them. It’s probably better experience than I had. It was over 1500tt but just turbine pic. No jet.
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Sounds like you at least got the interview? No telling for sure what they’ll decide if thats the case. Good luck.greezer733 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 3:31 pm I did apply to Cargojet but haven’t received any call yet, quite early though as I applied few days ago. I assisted to a virtual conference and they said that the 1500 requirement can be adjusted for some candidates. Not feeling like an exception but we’ll see how it goes in the next few days. Thanks everyone for the tips, and thanks to the troll for making this thread more popular!![]()
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
You are a piece of work. I’m happy you’ll never make it to the airlines. #airtaxi4lifeHappyflyer78 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:45 am Go to a northern operator, get some bush time and wait your turn. Too many of your type in the industry who think they’re entitled.
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
1200 tt with 900 on the 737, you have an interesting conundrum that his very much not typical in North America.
With 1200 total, it's a given you dont have an ATPL. Since 900 of that is on the 737, and it's unlikely any of it is left seat time, then you likely dont have the PIC requirements for an ATPL, altho probably do meet all the other requirements.
Here in North America, the 737 time basically means nothing without the ATPL, it is the first item on the requirements list for the vast majority of folks operating that type of equipment. Once you can get it, then yes, suddenly the 737 time does make a difference if that's the type of work you want to go after.
IMHO, the best move for you at this point, go to one of the outfits doing fire patrol, have a fun summer flying a mixmaster or something similar. By the end of the season you'll have the PIC time in the book, likely have the ATPL minimums, take a weekend seminar then write the exams the next day.
Bottom line, 737 time on it's own wont open a lot of doors without the ATPL. But once you have it, then yes, that time on the boeing suddenly does make a difference. For the airline track in Canada, it may well open the door well enough for you to skip the regional route altogether based on your time in the boeing, but, without the ATPL most boeing doors are closed.
With 1200 total, it's a given you dont have an ATPL. Since 900 of that is on the 737, and it's unlikely any of it is left seat time, then you likely dont have the PIC requirements for an ATPL, altho probably do meet all the other requirements.
Here in North America, the 737 time basically means nothing without the ATPL, it is the first item on the requirements list for the vast majority of folks operating that type of equipment. Once you can get it, then yes, suddenly the 737 time does make a difference if that's the type of work you want to go after.
IMHO, the best move for you at this point, go to one of the outfits doing fire patrol, have a fun summer flying a mixmaster or something similar. By the end of the season you'll have the PIC time in the book, likely have the ATPL minimums, take a weekend seminar then write the exams the next day.
Bottom line, 737 time on it's own wont open a lot of doors without the ATPL. But once you have it, then yes, that time on the boeing suddenly does make a difference. For the airline track in Canada, it may well open the door well enough for you to skip the regional route altogether based on your time in the boeing, but, without the ATPL most boeing doors are closed.
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
As other members mentioned unfortunately jet hours wont take you far without ATPL, you could go 703 704 or even 705 if your goal is AC go encore get your 100h pics and maybe rent an aircraft out of a flying club get whatever pic your still missing within a year you’ll have your atpl, jet time and multi turbine.
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
You're telling them to wait their turn... Meanwhile you're stuck on Kingairs with thousands of hours unable to land a 705 job of your own. Sounds like you've got a lot to figure out with your own career nevermind giving (terrible) advice to low time pilots.Happyflyer78 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 9:45 am Go to a northern operator, get some bush time and wait your turn. Too many of your type in the industry who think they’re entitled.
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Thank you all for the tips. Haven’t got any interviews with Cargojet yet. Yes, I really thought about getting my PIC time, I have 120 PIC time from flight school and a LOT of PICUS time from my old operator on the 737, but I don’t think that TC are going to approve these hours for my ATPL minimums, as the airline is not canadian.
My plan for the moment is to finish playing all my “jet” cards, if all of them are negative answers, probably joining a regional or someplace that is close to 705 environment, get some PICUS time as I only need 100 more, if not then enough to rent a 172 on the days off. Fire patrol is a great alternative but season is almost starting and I am still waiting for answers from a couple of operators. I really appreciate all the support, and rest assured that every advice is taken into consideration.
My plan for the moment is to finish playing all my “jet” cards, if all of them are negative answers, probably joining a regional or someplace that is close to 705 environment, get some PICUS time as I only need 100 more, if not then enough to rent a 172 on the days off. Fire patrol is a great alternative but season is almost starting and I am still waiting for answers from a couple of operators. I really appreciate all the support, and rest assured that every advice is taken into consideration.
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Have you looked into corporate? I'm not sure where you live but there are tons of jet jobs out there with companies like Chartright, Airsprint, Novajet etc. I guarantee you the posted minimums on some of these ad's are irrelevant to what they will actually hire at. Since you have jet time this will improve your chances for a call back even more. Downside being most companies will make you sign a 2 year bond but that time will go by quickly if you are treated/compensated fairly. You could also negotiate a shorter term given the market we are in. Since you aren't looking for a seniority number this would be the most logical route for me. If you want to stay in the airline environment then Jazz is pretty much your only choice that will hire below 1500 hrs on the CRJ9 or E175.greezer733 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 29, 2024 11:53 am Thanks a lot for the tips. I was told that Encore and Jazz will gladly take me. I am honestly not chasing a seniority number so I am kind of thinking about maybe applying to both operators, don’t know if it’s the right choice though. Medevac sounds good but I suppose it will mean being on call and not flying that much. I just want to fly as much as possible, get my ATPL, amd apply elsewhere as foreign airlines ask for an ATPL and more than 2000 hours. Got the 500h jet time though.
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
Thanks for the tip @MD11, I will probably look into corporate flying before turboprops. The idea of a bond is not something that I can bear honestly, unless the gig is really good. Jazz is a great option but only if I get the jet time. Heard that you can’t really bid or pick your base/fleet so getting the Q out of YVR is not an option for me 

Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
You can apply and hope to get lucky. You can always quit if you don't get your desired base. A bit of a dick move, but if that's the way the system's set up...greezer733 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:37 am Thanks for the tip @MD11, I will probably look into corporate flying before turboprops. The idea of a bond is not something that I can bear honestly, unless the gig is really good. Jazz is a great option but only if I get the jet time. Heard that you can’t really bid or pick your base/fleet so getting the Q out of YVR is not an option for me![]()
If you have no alternatives, then what do you have to loose, right?
As an AvCanada discussion grows longer:
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
-the probability of 'entitlement' being mentioned, approaches 1
-one will be accused of using bad airmanship
Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
What’s wrong with flying a turboprop? Sounds like all your limited experience is on a jet. Why not try something different. You might learn something.greezer733 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:37 am Thanks for the tip @MD11, I will probably look into corporate flying before turboprops. The idea of a bond is not something that I can bear honestly, unless the gig is really good. Jazz is a great option but only if I get the jet time. Heard that you can’t really bid or pick your base/fleet so getting the Q out of YVR is not an option for me![]()
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Re: 1200TT pilot with jet time advice
For someone without an ATPL, did i just see the “I’m too good for a Q400 job” vibe?greezer733 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 02, 2024 10:37 am Thanks for the tip @MD11, I will probably look into corporate flying before turboprops. The idea of a bond is not something that I can bear honestly, unless the gig is really good. Jazz is a great option but only if I get the jet time. Heard that you can’t really bid or pick your base/fleet so getting the Q out of YVR is not an option for me![]()