Fiftyeight, sorry all miles are not the same from an employers point of view. We look at type experience as well as TT and CT.
I know it is very hard nowadays for a new guy to get a start and I feel sorry for those out there doing the door knock at the moment. As employers at the moment we are spoilt for choice as the number of charter companies get less and the number of newbies increase.
To get a job now you have to stand out, be the top of the game even for a basic 182 job. Miles, especially outback miles still count with us.
Even if you get a call back now and pass the first interview and get to go for a ride, for you are coming out of a Jab with a lot of RA experience and jump in a 210 or 206 you are going to be so far behind the aircraft that is heavy and sinks like a brick compared to a Jab unless you are a natural, the CP will think its going to take to long to get you to line, and you wont get a ride. Simple as that.
Our biggest key indicator we look for in interviews/resumes is the difference between TT and CT. We find as a general rule what works for us is if a Wanabie has accrued more than double TT to their CT to get to a basic CPL without ME or MECIR, then training has been a slog and further line training with us going to take time.
At the end of the day I know it sounds harsh but making a profit so we can stay in business in these hard times take preference over offering a type training and a bit of commercial experience to allow you to get your next job. Keep in mind we usually have to do it all again in the next season with a new batch of newbies as it has always been my policy to give new pilots a start in this industry. We need to get you to a high standard in a short time and we need to feel we can do this. This is the main selection criteria.
You will notice that all charter operators are increasing their minum requirements, please realise our bottom line is getting screwed by forces out of our control, we just have less resources to spend going back over stuff and getting a mediocre pilot to line.
Contrary to popular belief we cannot keep increasing prices as the market really is kicking back in these hard times. We find it isn't a fact of loosing work to competitors but everyone is loosing hours as people/government are just are not flying in small single engine charter as much. But that's a whole new topic.
When I leant to fly all those years ago my instructor kicked me out the door saying I have taught you to fly now go and learn to fly. You know after 30 years I am still learning. Have passion and a goal and it will amaze you were you will find money to get some 182,206 or 210 time. As a young buck in the 80's I would talk my drunken mates into going to outback rodeos, B & S balls, race meetings, fishing trips with a promise of a good time and lots of gorgeous single country babes. I would get them to share costs. I knocked up some good hours flying all over outback Aussie got some valuable experience and we had a ball and made some valuable contacts. (no one ever found the gorgeous babes though as the good time got to them first) Think outside the box a bit.