Captain positions
 

Just to clarify:

you're a F/O with thousands of hours, say on Boeings and plenty of command experience on smaller jets, e.g. on RJs. Now you fancy taking up command on a Boeing.

It seems that with perfect synchronicity all airlines hiring direct entry captains on Boeings require the magic 500 hours PIC on type. You can have 10000 hours as F/O on type, it doesn't take you further. If you register with an agency, do you ever have a chance of being promoted, when at the same time direct entry captains are being placed in front of you?

Is that a trap you're in until retirement? Are there exceptions?

Any information on that matter would be appreciated.

Supply and demand. Nothing else. Plenty of airlines took on experienced FO's as direct entry captains 4-5 years ago and it will happen again. What usually happens is that when airlines and agencies can't supply the market with enough "500 hrs on type" guys, they move to the next stage and the "500-1000 hrs PIC on jets above 20t" pilots and then finally to experienced FOs.

CP

Airline Captain
 

Hi Brix
Some airlines have fast track upgrades for experienced first officers, I was in the same situation as you and got my upgrade after only 11 month in the right seat.

I can remember back around 1994/5 ish when Easyjet were offering DEC to a few suitably experienced FOs and fast track for those less experienced who would join in the RHS but get an upgrade fairly quickly, so it does happen, as previously stated by Capt. Prop, it is all about supply and demand.

Guess it depends on the company hiring and their policy. I know a few guys who have been FO's for some foreign carrier for quite some time now, and the company policy dictates that locals do have priority for upgrades. :suspect:

I contracted with Excel/XL for a year as an FO and was in a similar position. Over 4500 hours but all right seat. They were prepared to upgrade suitable FOs, even on contracts. In the event I left before I could test this promise, but it certainly seemed that they were serious.

I would definitely make sure you ask the question at interview though as you could waste a lot of time gathering yet more hours that you don't need.

KT.