What is it with these companies? How are you suppose to get into the Big Machines, if it’s all just word of mouth hiring and promote from within type stuff?

you answered your own question 

Soon all of the geriatrics will truly be out of the industry and then the operators will start freaking out because there's no one to replace them.

just wait ten years as they probably won’t hire anyone between now and then 

Depends on the operator. You know who the remaining old boys club operators are. They usually have a staff of all grey hair pilots that hate anyone under 55 that dares to try to learn something or god forbid make the same mistake they made years ago. Ironically they’re the most likely to be washed up with a long line and clogging up the radios on fire. Those companies hire seat meat for SIC. Lottery winner to get a good captain and upgrade at those places.

Other operators are turning the page and raising the next generation of heavy pilots. Time in weight class is the biggest obstacle unless you go to a company that pencil wh1ps it. A lot of the hawk operators lack the utility work to get you the time but they’re trying. They’ll type SIC and get them PIC hours on fire and ferry until they can be carded/upgraded. Go pay your dues if it’s what you want.

The industry is changing and opportunities are there if you’ll put in the work to prove you’re worth the investment. I sucked it up and went SIC for a couple months. Wasn’t the most fun I’ve had and my long line got rusty but it got me where I wanted to be. Had a PIC that was willing to teach the airframe and ended up typed and carded faster than expected on his recommendation. 50/50 work and luck. 

Boomers will go down as the most selfish generation ever to walk the planet

I know man. My current employer put me in an A320 my first year. It’ll be about five years before I can bid widebody into the 777. So frustrating. :-)

Getting into a type-1 is the easiest that it’s ever been. Before, it was impossible simply because there weren’t that many of them and the guys who had those spots made good money, so they weren’t going to give it up when they aged.

It was already said; go pay your dues. It’s simple, get on as a SIC, do a season or two and move up into the PIC spot. Or, find a type 2 spot, build the experience and move up from there.

Funny, I used to complain about the same thing. There was no avenue from a light to a medium. None. That is, until there was........

take a SIC position and work your way in....or are you anticipating that you just walk in the door and they make you a PIC..hahaha..because you flew in the army?  please....get hired as a SIC and work your way in

Good Lord... Didn't even get close to left field.... 

Worked for a type 2 outfit who later got a few type 1's...... 

Good Lord... Didn't even get close to left field.... 

Worked for a type 2 outfit who later got a few type 1's...... 

Don’t count, they’re like the R22 of the heavy world…

Hawk makes pilots lose all reality of what it’s like to actually have to fly an aircraft. Why do you think so many of them wash out coming to the commercial world?

Plunging is a choice that I choose not to do. 

stuff has been around for a very long time.

Didn't need to "count". Type 1 is a helicopter and fly's like the rest of them... A simple transition and off to work we went... 

The part where the hawk doesn’t fly like a helicopter it literally makes the worst pilot look good. 

Most operators offer good SIC positions that will transition into PIC for the right people. Many have accelerated programs to rapidly train and qualify broadly experienced and capable pilots to become type-rated PIC on Type 1's, in a short timeframe. If you can't make the cut, they won't be talking to you. 

As other commenters have noted, make your move into Type 2's, and keep your head down. Talk to the other crews on the fire line, and build a network. Let me repeat that - build a network. You want to know the name of every PIC, SIC, mechanic, fuel truck driver and manager on every fire. Tour their  aircraft and service vans. Talk, but more importantly, listen!  We all know who the good up and coming guys are - they have a good attitude, work hard, have great looking aircraft, and know what they are doing. This information gets fed back through the system, and when companies are looking, they talk to their crews, and if the same names keep coming up, they will be looking hard at you. This means don't be out drinking all night, always show up on time ready to work, look the part, play the part, be the part. If you're a flake, everyone will know it, and you will build a rapid reputation, and not the one you want. If you gain this reputation, you will never shake it off. If you do, I will always admire you, because it is ten times harder than just doing it right

Every year I meet dozens of new faces, to add to the old ones I've known for decades. I will work and assist anyone, and will help any operator, friend, or foe. I treat everyone as a friend, love what I do, and take great pride in being a helicopter professional.   

Nothing worthwhile in life is easy or simple. There are huge opportunities on today's horizon, you just need to pay attention, and play the game. 

Oh, and most Chief Pilots are way younger than the guys that work for them.

You to come tour their helicopter…..