Looking For Advice

[LostAndConfused]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for advice for my next move in my career.

I have been given an offer to upgrade to captain at my 703 and I'm in the process of interviews for Jazz and Porter.

Should I stick it out and upgrade or join the airlines?

CPL with IATRA
1200+ TT
600+ Right Seat on PC12 for a 703
Planning to write my SARON and SAMRA at the end of the year
I have all the required hours for the ATPL, just missing the total time

My end goal is fly cargo in the US

Thanks

[Fly0nTheWall]

If your end goal is US and you are dead set on that, I'd go Captain on the PC-12 for now while you figure out a path to get to the US. If you already got a US VISA/citizenship, get outta here :p

PC-12 Capt time, imo, will be just as good (if not better) than FO time on a Q400 when applying for jobs in the states. Unless you want seniority at Jazz/Porter as a backup plan, get to the States ASAP.

Edit: I'm not too sure what the FAA conversion entails, but there's lots of info on that in these forums. It may be easier to stick to the Capt. upgrade to get your remaining hours, then convert to the FAA with an ATPL vs CPL, then upgrading in the states.

[Loading...]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for advice for my next move in my career.

I have been given an offer to upgrade to captain at my 703 and I'm in the process of interviews for Jazz and Porter.

Should I stick it out and upgrade or join the airlines?

CPL with IATRA
1200+ TT
600+ Right Seat on PC12 for a 703
Planning to write my SARON and SAMRA at the end of the year
I have all the required hours for the ATPL, just missing the total time

My end goal is fly cargo in the US

Thanks

Depends where you want to live bro. If you live in Toronto or Montreal you can almoat intantly upgrade on the Q or RJ when you get your 1500hours. Otherwise I would recommend upgrading on the PC12.

[LostAndConfused]

If your end goal is US and you are dead set on that, I'd go Captain on the PC-12 for now while you figure out a path to get to the US. If you already got a US VISA/citizenship, get outta here :p

PC-12 Capt time, imo, will be just as good (if not better) than FO time on a Q400 when applying for jobs in the states. Unless you want seniority at Jazz/Porter as a backup plan, get to the States ASAP.

Edit: I'm not too sure what the FAA conversion entails, but there's lots of info on that in these forums. It may be easier to stick to the Capt. upgrade to get your remaining hours, then convert to the FAA with an ATPL vs CPL, then upgrading in the states.

How I see it, its either I get PIC time on any aircraft (PC12 in this case for the upgrade) or attempt to get a type rating on a Jet. I plan to convert my to FAA after completing the ATPL. I would like to come into the US with something to offer and experience to make myself as attractive as possible.

[LostAndConfused]

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for advice for my next move in my career.

I have been given an offer to upgrade to captain at my 703 and I'm in the process of interviews for Jazz and Porter.

Should I stick it out and upgrade or join the airlines?

CPL with IATRA
1200+ TT
600+ Right Seat on PC12 for a 703
Planning to write my SARON and SAMRA at the end of the year
I have all the required hours for the ATPL, just missing the total time

My end goal is fly cargo in the US

Thanks

Depends where you want to live bro. If you live in Toronto or Montreal you can almoat intantly upgrade on the Q or RJ when you get your 1500hours. Otherwise I would recommend upgrading on the PC12.

Yeah, I think this is where my biggest dilemma is. I'm from Toronto but living away from home, friends, and family. I am a little homesick but I'm willing to sacrifice a little more time away if it makes easier in the long run.

Like my response to the previous reply is whether PIC on the PC12 or FO with a Jet Type Rating is more valuable

[Fly0nTheWall]

If your end goal is US and you are dead set on that, I'd go Captain on the PC-12 for now while you figure out a path to get to the US. If you already got a US VISA/citizenship, get outta here :p

PC-12 Capt time, imo, will be just as good (if not better) than FO time on a Q400 when applying for jobs in the states. Unless you want seniority at Jazz/Porter as a backup plan, get to the States ASAP.

Edit: I'm not too sure what the FAA conversion entails, but there's lots of info on that in these forums. It may be easier to stick to the Capt. upgrade to get your remaining hours, then convert to the FAA with an ATPL vs CPL, then upgrading in the states.

How I see it, its either I get PIC time on any aircraft (PC12 in this case for the upgrade) or attempt to get a type rating on a Jet. I plan to convert my to FAA after completing the ATPL. I would like to come into the US with something to offer and experience to make myself as attractive as possible.

Ya, I get that. I think Loading makes a really good point though, figure out where you want to live and make a plan around that. Gotta consider living in YYZ/YUL with Q400 FO pay though too...it's possible (I mean I guess lots of guys and gals are doing it), but not easy.

Honestly though, I think your biggest hurdle will be getting the right to work in the US (if you don't have that already). There's many Canadian pilots with more experience than you (several thousand hours with multiple type ratings) who are trying to get to the US too. So honestly, I don't think 300 hours of PIC time vs. a type rating is going to make any difference in terms of attractiveness for giving you a work permit. If you have a US citizenship/visa already though, I wouldn't even spend another day working on Canada. Shoot, get PIC time in Texas on a C172 doing pipeline survey, and you'll make just as much as a Q400 FO in Canada (Pipeline Patrol Pilot https://g.co/kgs/KfgHfC).

[LostAndConfused]

If your end goal is US and you are dead set on that, I'd go Captain on the PC-12 for now while you figure out a path to get to the US. If you already got a US VISA/citizenship, get outta here :p

PC-12 Capt time, imo, will be just as good (if not better) than FO time on a Q400 when applying for jobs in the states. Unless you want seniority at Jazz/Porter as a backup plan, get to the States ASAP.

Edit: I'm not too sure what the FAA conversion entails, but there's lots of info on that in these forums. It may be easier to stick to the Capt. upgrade to get your remaining hours, then convert to the FAA with an ATPL vs CPL, then upgrading in the states.

How I see it, its either I get PIC time on any aircraft (PC12 in this case for the upgrade) or attempt to get a type rating on a Jet. I plan to convert my to FAA after completing the ATPL. I would like to come into the US with something to offer and experience to make myself as attractive as possible.

Ya, I get that. I think Loading makes a really good point though, figure out where you want to live and make a plan around that. Gotta consider living in YYZ/YUL with Q400 FO pay though too...it's possible (I mean I guess lots of guys and gals are doing it), but not easy.

Honestly though, I think your biggest hurdle will be getting the right to work in the US (if you don't have that already). There's many Canadian pilots with more experience than you (several thousand hours with multiple type ratings) who are trying to get to the US too. So honestly, I don't think 300 hours of PIC time vs. a type rating is going to make any difference in terms of attractiveness for giving you a work permit. If you have a US citizenship/visa already though, I wouldn't even spend another day working on Canada. Shoot, get PIC time in Texas on a C172 doing pipeline survey, and you'll make just as much as a Q400 FO in Canada (Pipeline Patrol Pilot https://g.co/kgs/KfgHfC).

I'm working on the US visa/application, and I know it will take a very long time. In the meantime, I want to know what would be the best possible route to success. I have a long time before I get to that point in my life, but I would love to start now - early in my professional career.

[Heavy Rayn]

I’d say it depends on who the PC12 operator is and what they’re offering you. I’ve heard of some guys with similar hours and time on type being offered the upgrade to left seat and in exchange will receive 55k annual compensation. If that’s the case RUN to your nearest 705, I’d probably go to Porter over Jazz if I were you.

[LostAndConfused]

I’d say it depends on who the PC12 operator is and what they’re offering you. I’ve heard of some guys with similar hours and time on type being offered the upgrade to left seat and in exchange will receive 55k annual compensation. If that’s the case RUN to your nearest 705, I’d probably go to Porter over Jazz if I were you.

The captains at my company start at 85k I believe. With the current state of the industry, I think they are underpaid considering multiple factors.

[Dias]

Definitely. That's what we made 15 years ago.

[TurkeyFarmYQX]

Right now I'd go captain on the Pilatus. Do that for a year. In a year you can re-evaluate, if you hold a visa? Great you go to the States. If not, you go DEC at Jazz in Toronto.

[Jack Klumpus]

Since your visa application will take some time, I say go to Porter or Jazz (I prefer Porter), and get that airline experience. You can upgrade on the Q, whilst still waiting for your application. Then you can take that valuable airline PIC experience, and move to the US. in the bigger picture, not many will care about your PC12 PIC time. The experience would be great for you as a pilot, but you’ll also get a chance to upgrade at either porter or jazz, and get some PIC experience there.

[LostAndConfused]

So I made my decision, I declined the Captain Upgrade at my company. I can't see myself staying at from home longer than my current contract. The pay is solid, but I can't justify staying another 12 months. I will be over 1500 hours at the end of the contract and surely by then I should be able to get to an airline. I believe this is possibly the best decision I could make. Thank you everyone for all the insight and helped me in my decision.