Contract Captain upgrades??
 

What is the likelihood of a high timed (6000k+) FO being upgraded to a Captain in the contract pilot world?

I've got several thousand hrs of pic on large Turboprops but no command on a jet. I've been flying a 757-767 as FO for the past 3yrs. Unfortunately the company I've been working for is going bancrupt.

How would i go about landing a contract pilot job as Captain on a 737,757,767 etc?

Thanks

Not good.

If you already have command time on type when you join, then there is usually no problem.

However, if you are hired as an expat F/O, your chances of getting moved into the left seat are not good. The local F/Os would object (quite rightly) and life could become very difficult for you.

I have even seen written death threats issued if you were seen to be jumping the queue. Although I don't recall an expat pilot being "disappeared" in my experience, I have been on contracts where it was quite possible to have someone "disappeared" for about USD10.

I remember going to one airline's HQ with one of our F/E's who had just received yet another death threat. The Director of Flight Operations met us with great courtesy and dismissed the worry.

He told us that he had at least three empty coffins delivered to his front door every month!!!!

On a slightly less dramatic note, you have not, as far as the company you are contracted to is concerned, proved yourself.
Particularly as you are normally on a relatively short fixed term contract, their view is usually "why take a chance on an unknown quantity when they can already have someone with the 4 stripes walk in the door without the risk"

One could argue that after some time there doing a good job in the RHS you are now a known quantity ,"better the devil you know etc", however few companies seem to see it this way,rightly or wrongly.
Of course there may be some "dodgy" countries/companies that will bite your hand off with your total experience, & previous turboprop command,and whip you into the LHS overnight. If you choose to go that route take care, but it may indeed get you the jet command experience you seek ,if you are happy to take the risk. :hmm:
More reputable companies, I don't see it happening frankly.

ANA Cargo Japan. start as FO but possible to get an upgrade 767

goodluck (and badluck re present airline)

Chances are Slim, and Slim is out of town.

Although...Air Asia is taking jet-experienced F/Os with previous non-jet command time and giving them a command course.

A320 Kuala Lumpur base. They have a comprehensive selection procedure with a (rumoured) 10% successrate.

If you are single, this would be the place to find your future ex-wife. Holy Smoke.

Thank you gentlemen.

From what information I've gathered is that 500pic on the type is the magic number. Are there companies that would be interested if i paid for a captain type rating? I'm just trying to look at the situation from another angle.
Its a real shame my present company has closed the doors as i was in the process of upgrading to captain.

skudrunner
Unless extremely lucky, you stand absolutely no chance of an upgrade with a LHS rating self-funded.
Get upgraded in less than 2 years with a Low Cost outfit for your case, IMHO, is the best bet. Move on after 3 years, or 2000hours PIC, whichever comes sooner to your dream airline that hires contract pilots.
If you don't mind fatigue and sand, EK or a middle east job may not be a bad option and you should be upgraded accordingly.(ranges from 4-7 years average, depends on which a/c type and airlines)
All the best.

Hi all,

Regarding on this issue, first of all, I think you should be interviewed by the employers before paying for your captain type rating in order to know if you fit with the company.

In my oppinion, It is not an issue of hour building program.
The thing is that you are going to be Captain, so it´s a matter of safety mainly. Obviously, you should do line flying under supervision before being released as a Captain.

I don´t know anyone doing that program.

Bye.

FireWorks
With all due respect, you have no clue what you're talking about. I suspect the part of the world that you are from, is obviously flooded with choices and thence pilots can cherry pick from so many jobs available, including picking your potential employer for a self paid LHS upgrade?
I'll certainly be delighted to know where, and which airline/airlines offer such contract deals since I have no less than couple of dozens of mates who are high hours FOs waiting for such golden opportunities. Care to share?

Thank you gentlemen for all your comments.

To clarify, I have several thousand hrs of multi turbo prop pic, but no jet pic.

What I'm looking for is a NG capt position. Is it possible to find a operator to hire a direct entry captain will no pic on type? I have a couple of thousand of hrs on type, its just not pic.

Thanks

Skud runner I would say there's only one place on earth you might have a chance and it's Air Asia, quite a few high time jet F/O's left from the likes of Qatar Airways to go straight to the LHS with them. They are mostly A320 now but might still have some 737 remaining, I'm not totally sure.

I can't think of anywhere else at all, that takes DEC without previous jet command.