ur thought

[sky Rookie]

PIC piston job vs right seat turbine job, both multi
which one is a better career move?

[KAG]

PIC time trumps the turbine time. Get 500+ hours and move on.

[Invertago]

Take the Piston PIC job, then hook me up with turbine FO spot. But seriously, most jobs want that 500mpic.

[Hot Fuel]

I concur with KAG’s assessment on PIC vs Turbine, however at the risk of hijacking the tread I don’t agree with his advice about getting 500 hrs and moving on. Depending on the job or operator that timeframe could represent 6 months or less. There are countless threads to be read on this site that rant and rave about airline management riding on the backs of pilots and profiting from their effort.

Isn’t this the reciprocal, advance your career without any regard to the employer or those that follow behind you. I see this as a double standard, I can use you but don’t you dare…

[Jastapilot]

you will advance faster with Multi-pic. Regardless of piston or turbine. Get the pic.

[sky's the limit]

If you use the "Search" function you'll find lots on the topic. Yes, the PIC is gold.

stl

[godsrcrazy]

PIC time trumps the turbine time. Get 500+ hours and move on.

Ya and this would be the reason we are all getting bond's stuffed up our A$$. Use them until you get what you want and then bugger off on them.

Go for the pic time.

[sky Rookie]

okay thanks guys seems like every1 is on the same page.

[KAG]

I only ever flew 500 hours a year, I guess I should have stated something along the lines of honor your verbal agreements. I've never broken one, nor signed a training bond for that matter.

Again take the PIC, try to move internally to advance your career, but don't stiff the opperator.

[Pugster]

Take the PIC unless the turbine job is a "sure thing" for an upgrade within a year or so.

It also really depends on the operator - but from a career advancement standpoint the multi-PIC may help you more in the short term...especially if the same operator has larger aircraft you can move into.

I turned down a job that would have advanced me a lot faster (more hours a year, quicker trip to the left seat) to work for an operator that paid well, treated his employees like gold, and ran well maintained machines. Would I have advanced faster in the industry? Maybe. But that job allowed me to buy my first house, meet some great people, and flying-wise have the most fun I've had yet in this business.

So make sure that while you're thinking about your CV and your logbook you don't forget about the important stuff.

[ScudRunner]

You should take the Multi PIC Job,

Even if the Turbine operation says you will be upgraded to Captain in a year, the company might not be in business in a year or your an expendable person if layoffs come. Then your just another pilot resume on a CP's desk with a bunch of FO time.

If you want to get a job in Alberta (or not you might have to one day) you should take a moment and go over the contrails qualifications in the employment forum. Get the PIC you will be better off as a pilot and career wise no matter what the economy throws at you, I heard their is a recession some place.

[sky's the limit]

..,

You're starting to make sense in your old age...!

stl

[kingeddie]

The old turbine time myth

Even a monkey can light a fire in a can

PIC all the way

[Panama Jack]

I would have to go slightly different and say "depends."

If it is right seat jet or right seat for a established carrier with an upgrade policy, then I would say this might be a better option than clunking around in an old Navajo or Cessna 310 for Chisle Charters Ltd.

[CL-Skadoo!]

Many roads lead to Rome.

[pilotidentity]

Take the PIC.

Getting an FO job shouldn't be a problem after the PIC adventure plus the PIC job sounds more fun. It can shorten your time in the right seat as well when you do take a turbine FO job.

When you are sitting right seat it will help you think as a Captain because you have already been there.

[flying4dollars]

Do whatever would make you happier.

I would rather sit in the right seat on a turbine flying for a great company, being treated well, paid well and enjoy the flying and people, than sit in the left seat of a piston, get paid peanuts, fly in the shittiest conditions under constant pressure by management, poor treatment, poor maintenance, and disgruntled employees.

Weigh the benefits. It could be the other way around in which case, get the PIC time. Assuming 2 companies are run the same (good crew/mtnc/pay etc), then go get the pic time.

Chase lifestyle first. Let money, location, equipment etc come next

[sky's the limit]

Chase lifestyle first. Let money, location, equipment etc come next

Not necessarily commenting on you specifically 4dollars, but therein lies the rub in our industry. When I started, it was do anything to get the experience required to get you where you want to be, and I did the same in rotary where it's a much more skills based industry. You go where the tough work is, learn your craft, and gain experience.

Chase the experience, learn the work ethic, and the rest will come in time. Nothing burns me more than hearing a bunch of kids in flight school or low-timers on their first job or two talk about "schedule and life-style." Those are earned in this industry.

stl

[crankedup]

They're correct, PIC time, and as its also Multi, is very important. But only one thing here you should consider. Will the right seat turbine job have any chance for promotion within to the left seat and if so, how long? That way you are totally covered and no need to jump around.
But jumping around works for me so its your choice. Good luck!

[flying4dollars]

Chase lifestyle first. Let money, location, equipment etc come next

Not necessarily commenting on you specifically 4dollars, but therein lies the rub in our industry. When I started, it was do anything to get the experience required to get you where you want to be, and I did the same in rotary where it's a much more skills based industry. You go where the tough work is, learn your craft, and gain experience.

Chase the experience, learn the work ethic, and the rest will come in time. Nothing burns me more than hearing a bunch of kids in flight school or low-timers on their first job or two talk about "schedule and life-style." Those are earned in this industry.

stl

Hey, actually, I agree with you and you're right. When you're first building time and experience, take what you can get, earn and learn your time. Get your hands dirty and build work ethic and character.

I was more referring to someone who already has time and experience where he/she is in a position to be able to start focusing on lifestyle. But otherwise, starting out, I agree with you stl

[stopsquawk]

Don't dismiss the value of the FO job on the turbine. A lot of operators will look for 2 crew experience. If all you have is single pilot experience, you'll have a problem getting that dream jet job. After the piston PIC job, you'll still probably be looking for a 704 type turbine job to advance, and you'll probably start off in the right seat in whatever company you go to, so why not take the right seat turbine job? Provided that the advancement to the left seat would happen within a year or two, in my opinion you'd be better off. There is a lot to be gained working as an FO on a bigger aircraft.

[KAG]

True, but your going to have a harder time upgradeing in the 704 world without PIC time, especially in slower times. It's easier to get a right seat job with PIC time, then an upgrade without PIC time.

[Four1oh]

There is a lot to be gained working as an FO on a bigger aircraft.

Yep, right until your chance for an upgrade comes along, and the boss upgrades the guy with the multi-piston PIC. Have fun with that. I've seen this scenario over and over. The boss doesn't care what you got your multi pic on nearly as much as not having any at all. Get the left seat time, you'll advance faster and you'll be a better pilot for it... regardless of whether it's 2 crew or not.

[FastFlyBy]

Chase lifestyle first. Let money, location, equipment etc come next

Not necessarily commenting on you specifically 4dollars, but therein lies the rub in our industry. When I started, it was do anything to get the experience required to get you where you want to be, and I did the same in rotary where it's a much more skills based industry. You go where the tough work is, learn your craft, and gain experience.

Chase the experience, learn the work ethic, and the rest will come in time. Nothing burns me more than hearing a bunch of kids in flight school or low-timers on their first job or two talk about "schedule and life-style." Those are earned in this industry.

stl

Hey, actually, I agree with you and you're right. When you're first building time and experience, take what you can get, earn and learn your time. Get your hands dirty and build work ethic and character.

I was more referring to someone who already has time and experience where he/she is in a position to be able to start focusing on lifestyle. But otherwise, starting out, I agree with you stl

A few years ago I attended an aviation career fair in Richmond. I'm not sure if they're still doing those but I doubt it. Anyway, they had a number of speakers, experienced airline pilots ect and one thing that a number of people advised to aspiring career pilots was that they should chase the lifestyle that they desire and not a particular aircraft. What they neglected to mention was that a new pilot starting their career needs to go where the flying is and that focusing on lifestyle is a decision to be made later on in a career. I made the mistake of not realising that and it set me back, wrong mentality as stated above. If I was smarter maybe I'd have realised it sooner.