Captain time wrecks Airline chances??

[ollycopter]

Hey guys,

Opinions please. Am looking to upgrade but am hearing whispers that it affects your chances in the airlines. Captains make bad Co pilots etc. Any ideas? Am happy where I am but want to know where I stand and keep the options open a little in case...

Cheers

[Orp Tolip]

Who told you that, the peson immediately below you in the seniority list I'll bet?!?! :hmm:

Maybe 20 years ago that was the case but I very much doubt it now.

The only problem you'll face moving on is the probable pay cut when moving back to the RHS, unless of course you get a DEC when you move on.

You'll gain a whole lot of extra experience by taking the command so unless you'll be bonded and are planning on moving on anytime in the next few months I'd take it and learn, learn and learn some more.

[ollycopter]

Cheers, I heard it from a captain actually.. He got turned down because of this he thinks. How are the airlines with age then? How old is too old to look into starting for an airline?

[Paradise Lost]

Cheers, I heard it from a captain actually.. He got turned down because of this he thinks. How are the airlines with age then? How old is too old to look into starting for an airline?

Maybe he got turned down because he was too old.....or arrogant, or incompetent, or etc.etc.
Different airlines have varying age limits but the younger you start, the more chance you have to make it to Fleet Manager, when the 'big' money starts to roll in. Your seniority is rarely transferable between companies and there is no credit for experience prior to day one in your new airline. PL

[SNS3Guppy]

How old really depends on the airline. I deadheaded behind a 60 year old making his upgrade checkride, a week ago. He was formerly a captain, however...he had moved to the FE seat, and was upgrading back to the Captain seat with the change in age limit from 60 to 65.

So far as starting with new hires, I don't know that you should really look at age as a limitation...don't let it stop you from applying.

Some captains do make poor copilots...but those are often not very good captain's either. Usually captains who don't handle the move to the copilot seat are those who are authoritarian dictators of their cockpit, and can't handle a true crew concept. Truth is, if you're doing your job and working as a crew, it doesn't matter which seat you're in. It's a team effort.

So far as PIC experience as captain hurting your chances at being hired somewhere, rubbish. PIC experience is the most valueable experience...it's not holding you or your friend, or anyone else back. Perhaps your friends attitude, instead.

[PPRuNeUser0215]

Cheers, I heard it from a captain actually.. He got turned down because of this he thinks. How are the airlines with age then? How old is too old to look into starting for an airline?

Obviously I do not know this guy so my comment will be on a more general stand. What some Captains from small outfits (No more that a couple aeroplanes) tend to have problems with, are SOPs and CRM.
Not really their fault, they often operate in an environment where the Part B doesn't mean much and where there is a strong single crew culture disguised under a "pretending to be" two crew operation.

It is also often the case that in smaller companies, upgrading to the position of Captain is more a matter of having been here long enough. I.e all the more senior guys have left so it's your turn with no real course or selection existing in the company. So you become a Captain by default. It doesn't mean that you are crap but it means that if you are a good operator as an FO, you will make mistakes as a Captain (who doesn't) but probably become a good operator as a Captain.
On the other hand if you were not so good, there is nothing in place in your structure to help you getting better. Therefore you will remain a poor operator but in the LHS.

Like I said it might not be the case and there is a multitude of reasons for failing so unless he was given the feedback, it is unlikely that he knows the true answer. I have never heard that being a Captain on a GA aircraft would ruin your chances to get into the airlines.
And to push it a little further, I did single crew (sort of a captain you ll agree) and it didn't stop me being taken on by a reputable airline.

Without anymore details, I would say that either it is one of the most rubbish excuse I have ever heard or
the airline in question is a pretty rubbish one.
If you know the airline and its reputation, it might help you make up your mind.