Twin Otter and the Airlines

[yow]

How do the airlines view twin otter time? Is it favorable or too bush? Just wondering. I have heard a few things out there and wanted your opinion.

[prop2jet]

I doubt that it hurts given both AC and WJ have hired twotter drivers.

[Niodatchi]

I don`t think you can get penalized by having Twin Otter time. I had about 1800 hours on type when I was hired by a major on a Heavy jet. Of course on top of that , it certainly helps if you have large turboprop time, but considering the industry as it is now, I don`t think you would get penalized.

[ils09]

good info guys.

[airturd]

Yes, but Cathay will consider (not necessarily hire) anybody with a little time. A lot of other carriers would like a little more than Twin Otter time.

How's it going over there Sam?

[thorvald]

Where is good old C-GSOL ?

[just curious]

As with anything else in an interview, it depends....

If you just flew VFR from Fort Someplace to Something Lake for a summer, then it's worth what it's worth. A summer's employment. If that's all you did for 20 years, the airlines won't be as thrilled.

On the other hand, what skills did you need to apply to the job?

• Did you have to navigate using Omega, INS, IFR GPS, Astro?
• Did you have IFR floats in your operation?
• Did you have to assess, & diagram off-strip sites?
• Use the IFR GPS to create routes flown for surveys?
• Did you fly it internationally?
• Wheels, Tundras, Skiis, Floats?
• Were you a Training, Check or Line Indoc pilot?
• Did you develop additional skills training or ground schools training?
• Did you progresss from dockrat to co-pilot, to captain, to training captain over a reasonable period with the same company?
• Do other former company pilots leave your Otter company to join your intended line?
• Did you operate it into high density airspace?
• Were you operating the aircraft in a locale that was completely alien to your personal or national culture, and were you able to work with your clients and co-workers in that environment?

If you were able to tick off several items on that list, then, like close to 100 of our pilots in the last three years, then yes, your time was worth something, to AC Jazz, WJ or Cathay.

On the other hand:

If you just flew VFR from Fort Someplace to Something Lake vfr for a summer, then it's worth what it's worth. A summer's employment.

[nohojob]

Same question with a PC12?