Type ratings?

Question

Once an airline pilot, how do you get a second type rating? Do you need a certain amount of seniority, experience, etc?

And if you fly for ex. the 737-800, can you get a rating for a different aircraft such as the 757, or are you only limited to different models of the 737?

Answer 1

There are a lot of factors here.  In the airlines most everything is based on seniority.  If you want the company to pay for your training and type rating then you're going to be limited to the type of aircraft the company has.  Example:  You decide to go to Southwest, they only fly 737's... that's all you're going to get.  If you go to an airline that flys numerous types of aircraft, then you get bid into those types of aircraft as seniority allows.  Most airlines will only type you on upgrade from FO to captain.  Some do type everybody, but most don't.  Most pilots will not bid into different types of aircraft just to get a new type.  Most pilots don't want to spend the 2 months in training away from home to be able to fly another airplane.  People will often bid whatever aircraft they can first upgrade into (PIC time in your logbook is nice, as is the pay).  And people will often bid the aircraft that will most likely keep them closer to home.  Some bid for better pay into larger aircraft... but most pilots find quality of life more important.  Some airlines do seat lock you (captain of a saab 340 for x. number of years before upgrade to the CRJ at Mesaba I believe), and some don't.  It pretty much all comes down to seniority and what the airline you're flying for has for rules/contract.  You have the potential to get numerous types at a company if the positions open and you have the seniority to get it.

But, if you're dead set on being typed in a certain aircraft you can always buy your own type rating.  Some are as cheap as $5000 (737)... and some go upward of $20,000.

Answer 2

Andrew G is right.  Airlines generally have seat locks unless they want you to move.  Pilots working typically don't go shopping for type ratings.

You can fly whatever the FAA says goes with the rating; for example the 737 is a common type and the DC-9 type requires transition training to fly the 717, but you don't get a new rating.  A 717 type rating however would not go back to the DC-9.

And like the other guys said you can alway pay for it yourself just to have it.  There a company in AZ offering types in a Ford Trimotor for example; that would certainly confuse a Fed who was on your jumpseat.

Answer 3

Typically, a type rating is only required to operate as the PIC (Captain) on certain aircraft.  Most airlines pay for the training to get your type rating as you are upgraded to Captain.  You can get any type rating you want, provided somebody will pay for it and you can pass the training, regardless of previous type ratings held.