I have the deepest respect for guys having experience on turboprops. I can imagine it is much harder working if things go wrong. If i would be an operator with jets, i would love to welcome those guys. To answer the topic question: go for the turboprop command.

I know for a fact that we don't hire TP guys in EK because of the requirement to do base training in the aircraft (A330 or B777, A380) if one has no multicre jet experience. Needless to say this is expensive.

The guys with multicrew jet experience can start line training after the ZFT in the sim.

I thought ZFT in the sim included base training? Hence no need to do base training in the actual aircraft. Where I am, the turbo prop guys have no multicrew jet experience but go into line training after ZFT in the sim...

ZFT requires experience of a similar type under CAR Ops (sandpit version of JAR Ops) A Q400/300 ATR isn't a similar type.
Lots of trainers I know also speak of this magical mental model that TP guys have, that seems to struggle as things get bigger and faster, never seen it myself but that's what I've been told

Unfortunately TP is less worth than jet time, but no one really knows why.
It's like comparing a VW to a Mercedes or a Diesel to a petrol engine. It's not the car or the engine that makes a good driver. Physics are the same for everyone

Apple

To try and answer your question, you must first understand that everything (or almost everything) comes down to money. The perception will be that someone who's upbringing was on TPs will be a greater training risk than someone who has already had jet experience (higher altitudes, different ladnding perspectives, faster climbs and descents, longer spool up times etc). Maybe not very accurate in gaugung an applicant's potential, but there you are, it makes the HR department's job easier.

Also, remember that most senior management pilots are still ex military fast jet and they will always favour those with jet time over someone without regardless of cost or risk.

What I can't answer is why they'll take a 250 hr cadet with a self funded JOC on some clapped out simulator over someone with 2000 hrs turbo prop who's been flying the line for a few years. There must be a saving somewhere. :ugh:

Funny how it argument against itself.
-Jet Experience is worth more when transition to another jet aircraft hence why TP guys are abandoned. (So far it could be logical...)

-Later on stating. Strange that 250 hrs guys with no hands on Jet experience is more qualified than a TP guy with 2000 hrs. (hmmm....:hmm:)

-The only conclusion from this argumentation is that "Experience" makes you less good for a Jet job when trying to transition from a TP job.

-For this reason. Make sure the first flying job you get is what you want to do for the rest of your career.

UAU242 :

- Base training is in the aircraft

-ZFT (Zero Flight Time!?) is in the... SIM!

EK380
 

Not so fast....there is a base training detail flown in the sim on a ZFT conversion. Despite your patronising put down...it ain't so.

The base training session is one of circuits-all thoroughly briefed and flown (largely) visually to ensure that you'll be able to land the beast on your first line sector.

Moonwalker

Agreed, it makes no sense. I daily sit next to young FOs, good competent pilots with a few years experience who would do well anywhere, who have £70+ grands worth of training debt trying very hard to get that first jet job.

I also agree that if possible, make your first job the one you want to make a career out of. It never used to be like this, but with the U.K. airlines doing most of their recruiting solely from the cadet schools, unless you want to go east, your options are very limited.

My opinion is that these schools, and the airline's insistence on using them, have created nothing but excessive debt for their customers. Their adverts have young pilots standing confidently infront of 777s etc., but it rarely delivers. The guys I speak to admit that most of the students on their courses still don't have jobs (but they sure as hell have the debt). So, for most, its a case of taking the first job that comes along, even if it is (dread the thought) on TPs.

To be fair to EK380, although ZFT IS Base Training in the sim, here at EK "Base Training" is what's done in a real aeroplane and "ZFT" is sim. Symantics with words:ok:

White Knight
 

Well said.

Certainly you've lived up to your 'handle'.:O

Speaking form experience, choose a jet at the first opportunity, otherwise you will be just another prop skipper, looking for a way out.:ugh:

Speaking from experience, choose a command at the first opportunity, otherwise you will be just another frustrated first officer, looking for a way out.

Interesting.

In my case I chose jet FO rather than TP command - due to my age at the time (44 yrs old).

A younger colleague took the TP command and then progressed to jet FO.

2 years later we were both at the same airline and base on jets.

If I had been younger I would have taken the TP command - but market conditions dictated my choice.

With hindsight I wished I'd been able to gain some command experience first, but I made the best choice at the time based on the information available (I would have hated to miss the opportunity to fly jets).

Not always a simple choice - other factors come into play.

Atleast the frustrated jet FO has the opportunity to gain a jet command once his number comes up while the TP Capt is guess what, still flying a TP.

Everything is uncertain in aviation. God forbid, tomorrow you may be without a job, at that time the next application you make will be a lot better looking when you have 2000 PIC hours as compared to 5000 f/o hours.
I don't have the confidence in this industry to pass off a major career progression opportunity as well as a pay hike expecting a very bright future far away.
That's my opinion.
Good luck!

I'd echo whats been said before.....It's all about money and perception.
A turboprop engine I would imagine, is harder to operate than a pure jet - look at all them levers. The RB211s on the 75 are simple.

No, it's not about 'engines' - what they are saying is you have only flown something light and slow, will you convert easily enough.

Personally , if I wa sunder 30 I'd have a bash at the TP command as good experience and fun, if something of a dead end.

Over 30, I'd go for the jet FO - assuming this 'jet' is a useful type in it's own right.

An interesting thread as it touches on a number things that are different in the industry and the dilemma people face.
I am well into 5 figures with flying hours, about half of which were on singles doing aerial work, piston twin single crew stuff and turbo props flying around NW Europe in the main. The rest on jets, with the only place I haven't been being South America.
What has struck me is that if I was to recount anecdotes about my flying career, they would probably be 99% about my flying pre-jet. Is this a good thing, probably. In this day and age we want those jetliners to go boringly from A to B, while we drink our coffee and watch the world go by. Don't get me wrong I still enjoy flying, find it interesting, keep myself motivated but there is a difference. Soon we will have a whole generation of pilots who will have nothing but jet time. As everyone knows the best way to fly a jet is on the autopilot through the FMS.
Whats my point, well the aviation business is what it is these days. I suspect the sooner you get on a jet the better, but what a loss in what you are turning down, TP command time will make you a better pilot. Unfortunately an unappreciated better pilot.

Well said Enecosse, unfortunately for me the current company I work for has nothing else to progress onto but a TP command. I've been offered a great opportunity to fly a Airbus and earn more than what I would have earnt as a TP Capt.

Everyone is different I guess. Will people think less of me for having no TP command time? I'm not sure.