Originally Posted by
27/09
Probably about the same as any other new joiners unless you have time on type and they need Captains when those ahead of you don't meet company/legislative requirements, then it can vary wildly.
From what I've observed recently for Mt Cook on the ATR it has been about 3 years but that has been during a period of expansion, the time to command may be drawing out again. Once upon a time you had to wait for someone to retire before a command came up. NM isn't the job it once was and there's probably not a large proportion of lifer captains anymore.
Air Nelson on the Dash 8, from what I've heard, has been about the same time frame.
In both cases times will probably vary depending on what base you're in or prepared to move to.
Not entirely accurate...............Commands are going at around 20-24 months at the moment but it's dependent on a number of things.
1. You need 1000 hours Part 121 (or greater)
2. 2 x successful OCA checks (6 monthly check not including type rating check) with no 2 grades
3. Where you are prepared to move to (Napier asap)
How quickly you can get to that magical 1000 hours depends on you! A couple of the boys sacrificed annual leave and used bidding well to get there quickly. However given the extreme surplus of FOs, lack of Captains and drain on the Training Department (great guys and girls) the 1000 on type may be difficult to get quickly.
Unfortunately you are correct that it's not the job it once was but at least you don't have to wait 7-10 years for a command anymore either haha. It's still a great job. People there are good, training is top notch, and the conditions are still pretty good (but are sliding due to lack of pay and pay increases).
Edit to correct auto-correct typo of 125 as opposed to 121 (correct)