Will Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 rating help me find a better job placement?

[pacemakerpratik]

I've been flying the DHC6 Twin Otters as an Co-Pilot since over a year now.. I feel like I need to go beyond this, recently I've been thinking to pursue an Jet Aircraft rating on my own and may be find a better job placement and rather secure future as well. I've 550+ hrs and I'm just 20.
Please someone help me decide this, will any airline hire somebody like me? Is it any good to invest an jet rating without any fore sighting of career??

Thank you in advance!

[NZ X man]

Right now with the economy like it is and your low time, I would say the money should be spent elsewhere. There are a bunch of experienced Airbus and Boeing guys out there now looking for jobs. I have known of people who did just that, financed they're own ratings then were never able to put them to use. Besides, at your age, you will outlast this slump, so keep building your time, hold on to your hard earned cash mate.:}

[Ndicho Moja]

NZ X man, good advice. pacemakerpratik, perhaps push for a command on the Otter and accumulate some left-seat time.

Good luck.

[gottofly]

ya,good advice.u r young,so get some more time b4 getting bored on the otter....unless u can speak to some operator who offers u a job on any of the jets.then it might be worth spending some money otherwise just a rating w/o 500 hrs on type wont get u anywhere except a hole in the pocket:=

[JotaJota]

Excellent advise all. Build that flight time as there are people out there with thousands of hours looking for jobs, and they will take em before you do.

And yep, you are still so young and will have a chance to play with the big metal for a long time... :ok:

[Metro man]

Good advice so far, also consider where you want/are able to work. Look at the low cost operators and what equipment they are flying. Type rating with zero hours on type probably won't get you into a real airline, but could get you into a low cost for a couple of years while you get a 1500-2000 hours on type. Then you are attractive to major operators, or stick around a bit longer for an upgrade.

[sec 3]

Go fly twins in exotic places. Maldives, antarctic or canadian arctic.Build time and enjoy yourself. Heavy metal will always be there:)

[yanafrica]

Same as above
stay where you are .... you got a job
have some fun flying,get left seat hrs then you will see..
good luck in this crazy industry

[yowdude]

count your blessings kid. be happy with what you got cozz alot of older guys dont even have what you got............. a job.

[Kapt]

Type rating NO hours NO good. Min 500 h on type maybe.
:eek:

[shanx]

Build more hours on the Twin otter, and get an ATPL after you get the required flight experience.
Perhaps after that, a jet type rating MIGHT help.

[Dani]

The keyword might be: it depends.

I'm not sure if some of the posters above just give you that advice because they don't want another competitor in the market. They had also to go the long way up, aren't they?

Well, they might be right. On the other hand, if you have to opportunity, the possibility and the prospect, you might want to do it. But it depends on where you are, what you are and what you make out of it.

I have to agree that it is very difficult to get a good job with few hours on turboprops. You need to have a few 100 hrs on type. But there are jobs out there where you don't need it, especially in Asia.

The only advice I can give you: Look around and keep checking the possabilities. Distribute your CV to everyone and check the schools that offer you courses and training. Check them well! Be smart and use every hour as a training for your future career.

Good luck,
Dani

[powerstall]

i agree with most of the guys here, with the current economic slowdown, stay with the job that you have, and while at it, you can look for business jet opportunities, get your ass on the left seat, now is not the right time to self sponsor your own type rating.

A lot of airlines do need TIME ON TYPE if you want direct entry. :ok:

[MaintainYourHeading]

As everybody said, you are so young ! I'm 27 and would love to have 500 almost only on twin Otters !! Now what will surely make a difference is PIC time. Until you have that I doubt anyone in our present market will look at your resume.

As it was said previously, you already have a job at 20 flying twin Otters !! I have a good friend of mine that tried to get a twin otter job in the Maldives for over 4 years now, it's his dream !!! Stay where you are, and try to get on the left seat and get your PIC time on the twin up to 1000 or 1500 hours PIC !!!! Then when the market is better if you have spare money then you can think of your next move. Your life is ahead of you ! I am working now with a retired Lufthansa Captain, he flew 30 for the company... got hands on 727, 707, 320, 300 and 340 !!!!! If your dream is a career in the airlines, don't worry, 20 years old gives you all the time in the world to accomplish a beautiful career with a carrier !!! Enjoy what you have now... besides I can assure you that you will never find with the airlines the fun you are having now on twin otters !!!!!!!!

However ... if you find today a promise of employment under the condition you get your type by yourself then go for it. I have heard of a few airlines that offered a contract as long as you went and got a type rating first. If you are lucky to get hands on such an offer then sure why not !!! Otherwise, follow the advises given in all the previous posts, it will pay off quickly !

I have 2000 hours PIC, all piston, 500 hours piston twin
If you get 1500 hours, including say 1300 PIC, all turbo prop twin otter and we apply for the same job, who do you think would get looked at twice ?

[FBW390]

Yes,
- continue building hrs on twin , PIC if possible as well
- better do a type rating before the upturn ( 2010,2011? )than after
-while looking for job with new type you still work on otter

When it starts recruiting again: airlines recruit first:
- rated and experienced then
-rated only: it`s your turn . It happened to me. Though never guaranteed 100% of course. Don`t hesitate to move anywhere.

Good luck!

FBW 390:ok:

[toby320]

No Body Hire Pilots With Poor Experience So My Advise Keep Flying Make Hours And Later Think In Other Company Meanwhile Enjoy Your Time And Fly Safe

;)

[dcsagcs]

I would prefer an 737. I can assure it is safer than winged laptops... It could mean a longer career at the end. :rolleyes:

[fiftypercentn1]

here we go..let' s start the airbus-boeing fight, it's been a while since the last one!

p.s. not that I suggest to buy a rating, but just to point out something most of the companies are going towards a mainly airbus fleet.

[powerstall]

Just ask yourself first.... will i have a job waiting for me after getting the rating? :ouch:

[Guava Tree]

What, never fly a twotter again?
How will you have any fun then?