Emb145 Command or A320 First Officer?
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Emb145 Command or A320 First Officer?
I might soon be in the position where I will have to choose between my first command, on an Emb145, or leave and go abroad to be an FO on an A320. I'm not looking to make my choice based entirely on the anonymous feedback from PPRuNe, but nonetheless I'm still interested to hear people's thoughts and musings on the scenario.
I know a lot of people say never turn down a command, but I'm inclined to believe that moving onto a bigger type will open a lot more doors in the future.
So, without getting too much into the nitty gritty of it, (especially family/moving/expat etc) career-wise, what would you do?
I know a lot of people say never turn down a command, but I'm inclined to believe that moving onto a bigger type will open a lot more doors in the future.
So, without getting too much into the nitty gritty of it, (especially family/moving/expat etc) career-wise, what would you do?
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Having been in a 145 many years myself, I have worked with guys like yourself.
80%would have gone for a FO big jet and escape the long life marriage to barbie!
Go for the 320 pal!
80%would have gone for a FO big jet and escape the long life marriage to barbie!
Go for the 320 pal!
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Have to agree go for the airbus, I know guys who are 4-5 years ahead of you as skippers on the 145 who crave an airbus rating, not sure I would move to Doha for it though, if it was in the uk for me personally it would be a no brainer but the ME mmmmm not sure !!!
All the best with your decision !!!
All the best with your decision !!!
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Tough call.
For me, I'm the other way around. In the middle east but getting fed up of it, if someone offered me DEC command on an Embraer I'd bite their arm off....maybe that says a lot about the place?
If your driven by the desire to drive a bigger jet then go for it, I've driven the bigger stuff and it's just another aeroplane at the end of the day, goes further, carries more people, takes you away from your home/family for longer....the grass is no greener.
Good Luck!
For me, I'm the other way around. In the middle east but getting fed up of it, if someone offered me DEC command on an Embraer I'd bite their arm off....maybe that says a lot about the place?
If your driven by the desire to drive a bigger jet then go for it, I've driven the bigger stuff and it's just another aeroplane at the end of the day, goes further, carries more people, takes you away from your home/family for longer....the grass is no greener.
Good Luck!
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Thanks for the replies guys, but don't put words into my mouth - I never mentioned the Middle East or Doha! There are other places where you can fly A320s.
As I thought, there's a lot to be said for a command in the UK, decent'ish money, good lifestyle but no opportunities to move to something bigger within the UK even with jet command time.
flyforfood1, yes tough call it is. But its not just about flying bigger and shinier jets. I've been around long enough to know that the grass isn't always greener (it hardly ever is). But I do want to maximise my earnings and make myself as employable as possible and an A320 type rating does both much better than a 145 command.
As I thought, there's a lot to be said for a command in the UK, decent'ish money, good lifestyle but no opportunities to move to something bigger within the UK even with jet command time.
flyforfood1, yes tough call it is. But its not just about flying bigger and shinier jets. I've been around long enough to know that the grass isn't always greener (it hardly ever is). But I do want to maximise my earnings and make myself as employable as possible and an A320 type rating does both much better than a 145 command.
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there is no universal answer to your question. Personal preferences vary a lot. For me being at home with a reasonable income is the most important.
Regarding the types I would go for the command. Only if the other option were a 777 or similar would I give it a second thought. Nowadays the market is full of cheap cadets for the320/737. Saldy experienced F/os lost their value.
Getting command on the other hand is the best part of a flying career.
Regarding the types I would go for the command. Only if the other option were a 777 or similar would I give it a second thought. Nowadays the market is full of cheap cadets for the320/737. Saldy experienced F/os lost their value.
Getting command on the other hand is the best part of a flying career.
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But I do want to maximise my earnings and make myself as employable as possible and an A320 type rating does both much better than a 145 command.
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Sit down and take stock of what you want.... Whatever said and done command is... COMMAND!
You will be able to get command in a foreign airline but it's usually a bit more difficult... Not because you aren't technically sound or aren't a good pilot.. Simply because there might be a issue of "local pilots"
Its very difficult to predict an airlines future. You can get a 320/737 job after a few years in command... Again, you've to sit down and take stock of what you want to do...
Ending on a thought, if something were to happen to your airline... Will it be easy for you to get another job as a 320 FO or Emb145 captain?
You will be able to get command in a foreign airline but it's usually a bit more difficult... Not because you aren't technically sound or aren't a good pilot.. Simply because there might be a issue of "local pilots"
Its very difficult to predict an airlines future. You can get a 320/737 job after a few years in command... Again, you've to sit down and take stock of what you want to do...
Ending on a thought, if something were to happen to your airline... Will it be easy for you to get another job as a 320 FO or Emb145 captain?
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another question is that how manyyears have you been in the business and how old are you? If you think you still have time as you are young both ways can be good - but if you are let say 45 this may be one of your last chances to move to the left seat.
well said - command is command.
well said - command is command.
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Take the command! P1 time will be better off in the long run, airlines can get F/Os willing to work for 
All from CTC and other providers to fly the airbus.
Embraer seems to be a good rating to have, if it is dollars you are after then after 500hrs you should be sitting pretty with carriers in the middle east.
Good Luck and I wish you well!
All from CTC and other providers to fly the airbus.Embraer seems to be a good rating to have, if it is dollars you are after then after 500hrs you should be sitting pretty with carriers in the middle east.
Good Luck and I wish you well!
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I moved from A320 command to EMB135BJ and have no regrets.
Both nice aeroplanes to fly but by far the most important thing is to be working in a good atmosphere with people you like and respect.
If the Embraer job gives you those two things then go for the left seat and enjoy it.
Both nice aeroplanes to fly but by far the most important thing is to be working in a good atmosphere with people you like and respect.
If the Embraer job gives you those two things then go for the left seat and enjoy it.
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An Airbus TR is probably the most useful one to have at the moment.
Command time always looks good on the CV and the soul!
Take a view on what the market will look like in a year or so.
If you think there will be a desirable escape route from small to big jet or from regional operator to big operator (which is tricky at the moment) then the P1 time is probably better.
If you think otherwise, or you are older than average, take the quickest route onto the big jet. I have not regretted that decision myself.
Take the long view. Flying is flying is flying. Income is king in the end, especially once you have a family. Closely followed by lifestyle and job security.
Best of luck.
Command time always looks good on the CV and the soul!
Take a view on what the market will look like in a year or so.
If you think there will be a desirable escape route from small to big jet or from regional operator to big operator (which is tricky at the moment) then the P1 time is probably better.
If you think otherwise, or you are older than average, take the quickest route onto the big jet. I have not regretted that decision myself.
Take the long view. Flying is flying is flying. Income is king in the end, especially once you have a family. Closely followed by lifestyle and job security.
Best of luck.
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Very interesting replies! It does seem a shame to be so close to a command only to make a move that will almost certainly push it back at lest a decade!
I have to disagree with you as almost none of the Captains I fly with are able to make a direct entry move anywhere, let alone onto an A320 which is where most of the UK jobs are. Also a 10,000hr Emb145 Captain couldn't join Virgin as an FO even if they wanted to.
About 7 years, and early-mid 30s!
Well, perceived job security where I am is currently not exactly great, hence the thoughts about jumping ship before it sinks. As for which would be most employable; Emb145 Captain or A320 FO? Well there are far more A320s than Emb145s operated in the UK, and all the jobs I've seen require a type rating and 500hrs on type. It doesn't matter how many 21 ton command hours you have if you are not type rated.
That's the question isn't it? In 2 years time, would I be in a more employable position for a decent UK job with more Emb145 hours albeit about a thousand in command or 1000hrs A320 as FO?
Originally Posted by PENNINE BOY
Embraer seems to be a good rating to have,
Originally Posted by goodpic
another question is that how many years have you been in the business and how old are you?
Originally Posted by VijayMallya
Ending on a thought, if something were to happen to your airline... Will it be easy for you to get another job as a 320 FO or Emb145 captain?
That's the question isn't it? In 2 years time, would I be in a more employable position for a decent UK job with more Emb145 hours albeit about a thousand in command or 1000hrs A320 as FO?
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If you are thinking about 2 years down the line in UK, I would take the Command.
Why?
If it goes tits up at your current place, you're still a Captain.
And if it gets better in UK aviation, you're still a Captain.......
Why?
If it goes tits up at your current place, you're still a Captain.
And if it gets better in UK aviation, you're still a Captain.......
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the emb and the airbus are both a piece of shirt...ha.
it boils down to this...and I'll use my own self as an example...
I'd rather be an EMB captain in the USA than a 747 captain in the aviation third world.
so in your case, I'd stay in what is still a noble country, the UK as a captain...unless that AB slot is in the USA.
it boils down to this...and I'll use my own self as an example...
I'd rather be an EMB captain in the USA than a 747 captain in the aviation third world.
so in your case, I'd stay in what is still a noble country, the UK as a captain...unless that AB slot is in the USA.
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Originally Posted by Narrow Runway
If it goes tits up at your current place, you're still a Captain.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Narrow Runway
If it goes tits up at your current place, you're still a Captain.
Surely you mean, if it goes tits up, I'm now unemployed and with a useless type rating!
Originally Posted by Narrow Runway
If it goes tits up at your current place, you're still a Captain.
Surely you mean, if it goes tits up, I'm now unemployed and with a useless type rating!
How long to command on the 320?
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Originally Posted by helen-damnation
How long to command on the 320?
Circa 10 years had been mentioned, but current employer told me 2 years when I joined and that was 7 years ago so I'll take any prediction with a pinch of salt. 7 months is a long time in aviation nowadays.
