Non 737/A320 Type Ratings

[thatscaptaintou]

I'm in the process of the last 6 ATPL exams, so this question relates to something a little further down the line, but still considering.

With so many budget airlines operating the 737 & A319/320, what do people think of gaining a type rating on something different, say a 757/767?

I'm thinking of airlines such as Thomsonfly and Excel, who typically operate this type of aircraft and whether I would improve my chances of landing a job with a type rating on a 767.

Any thoughts?

[Brian304]

It would be hard to go from a low hour pilot to fly medium haul for an airline, unless your on somthing like BA. You will have more chances of landing a job with say a 737 or an A320, basically the facts are there are more 737/A320 flying in the UK compared to say a 767.

Brian304

[AlphaMale]

I can see where the original poster is coming from, he'd rather not get a 737/A320 TR like everybody else as it looks a little over crowded in the holding pools.

Gaining a 757/767 TR will appeal to the medium haul ops but as said above it's unlikely that you'll pull that one off, I think a few carriers and getting rid of the 757's anyhow.

If I am forced / feel pressured to getting a SSTR I'd probably look toward the TP AC's, Cheaper TR (£15k ish for the Dash 8 / ATR 42 or 72 / Saab 340) and better job prospects of landing a TP job should you have 500+hrs on your log book.

Good luck.

[BigGrecian]

I have to say AlphaMale for someone who doesn't have a PPL yet - you are full of advice

[tupues]

Amazing what you can learn on ms flight sim nowadays!

[AlphaMale]

I have to say AlphaMale for someone who doesn't have a PPL yet - you are full of advice

By the end of the year I'm hoping I'll have one

Thanks.

[thatscaptaintou]

Thanks for the inputs everyone. My thinking is exactly along the lines of 737/A320 just being a little oversaturated pilot wise.

As I said, I've still a way to go but the TR is playing on my mind and I really don't know what to think!

[MIKECR]

You still obviously have a long way to go before you are in a position to be job hunting. A lot could happen between now and then but for the meantime(and foreseable future), the industry is going into decline and jobs are becoming very thin on the ground. A TR with no experience on type will shortly become as useful as an inflatable darts board im afraid! Take a look at the recruitment websites, its all TR + 500 hours or 1000 hours minimum. Dont go doing a TR without a job offer at the end!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[charliejulietthotel]

Have you though about the instructing route? great fun, actually learn how to fly, granted money is !!!!!e, but pretty much guaranteed a job once you've done an approved course due to the severe lack of home grown instructors, plus opens doors to airlines, adamant I wouldn't have got my job without being an instructor first.
Just my 2 pence worth!
CJH.

[Mercenary Pilot]

Just go straight into long haul. 747-400 or A380-800 would be the rating to go for OR get in touch with Boeing, straight on to the 787 would surely mean that you are ahead of the game.

[chock2chock]

must it be a jetliner?

With so many budget airlines operating the 737 & A319/320, what do people think of gaining a type rating on something different, say a 757/767?

737/A320/757/767 all the same thing

I thought he was going to say something more along the lines of an ATR/Splash-8 rating! maybe even a B1900/King Air!