Whats so great about working at a major?

[DrewBlows]

I just want to be treated like a human and not a robot.

There is precisely one airline that won't treat you like a robot. If this really means a lot to you I suggest pursuing a B737 type rating.

Despite what many on this board will tell you, there are no "right" career decisions. For some it may be appropriate to stay at a 'Regional', while others would be better off at a 'Major', still others would be better off at a 'Fractional'. You can see where I'm going with this.

Personally, I despise commuting, but I like living where I live. I am trying to position myself to make as much money as possible with those constraints. For me Cathay Pacific, UEA, or even American Airlines are not options. Over the long term this will probably cost me money, but I've decided it's worth it. Only you can decide what your priorities are.

My advice is to figure out what is important to you and make decisions toward that goal. If you want to be treated good go to Southwest, if you want to live in SLC go to Delta, if you want to make as much money as possible flying airplanes go overseas. You can take advice from people here but keep in mind their priorities aren't necessarily the same as yours. Good luck!

 

[Lowrider717]

I can think of a few reasons to move up...

American divesting Eagle, ASA being sold by Delta, Mesa and Johnathan Orenstein.

And did I mention Johnathan Orenstein?

 

[Deadalus]

90K probably puts you ahead of 90% of this country, and yet all you do is complain. Get some perspective.

When I was single making $50k a year living in Billings, MT I was doing great. Once you start a family however and start seriously looking at retirement savings, health insurance, college, emergency savings fund, etc. etc., I'd say $100k a year is minimum. My friends with the same level of education and experience are making 100k+. Don't sell yourself short. If you're still alive ,the CEO of your company is probably performing worse at his job than you are and taking home 500k+.

 

[Deadalus]

Oh in case you're wondering what my friends are doing. Plumber-$110k, Computer systems mngr/lumber company-$120k, Engineer on Connoco tanker-$200k, Sales rep-$330k. All 34-35 years old just like me.

 

[Palomino]

Oh in case you're wondering what my friends are doing. Plumber-$110k, Computer systems mngr/lumber company-$120k, Engineer on Connoco tanker-$200k, Sales rep-$330k. All 34-35 years old just like me.

how many days off for these types?

 

[sat74]

Get south of Mexico and you'll like the women.

But will the women like you???

I would not trade my international flying in for anything! 1 8 hour no-stress leg out, spend a few days seeing how far my dollar will go, or not go, and then 1 8 hour no-stress leg leg back. Do that 2-3 times a month and enjoy the time off! 'Nuff said!

 

[Fox-Tree]

Thanks for all the nice red corrections teacher. Are you feeling left out because nobody is talking about cargo carriers on this thread? My reference to the cargo carriers was that the money is even better there but you seem to have taken it as a shot. So be it. To try and compare airlines you don't work for to regionals is ludicrous. I refrain from speaking out about quality of life issues at ABX/UPS/FEDEX etc. because I don't know much about the day to day things there. I think maybe you should do the same with regards to the legacy airlines.

Just having a little fun. I didn't take anything as a "shot". I spent over 4 years at a Legacy so I felt like I could poke a little fun at your post. Lighten up.

 

[Deadalus]

how many days off for these types?

I'm away from home more than all of them except the super tanker engineer. Did I mention he has a pension?

 

[waveflyer]

90K probably puts you ahead of 90% of this country, and yet all you do is complain. Get some perspective.

95% can't do what we do -and if you think they can or would choose to- you need some perspective.... the disappearing middle class is another topic- but if you've spent any time in new york or california- (lots of pilot bases) 90k isn't what it used to be

 

[waveflyer]

90K is nothing compared to what it needs to be (used to be). Inflation, the weakening dollar...

I, for one, have never compared myself to 90% of this country. I won't start now. I didn't get into this biz to make what 90% of the country makes. 90% of the country hasn't done what I've done to get where I am.

The same applies to the rest of you 10%ers.

Amen brother, amen

 

[whymeworry?]

The reasons to leave a good regional carrier for a major are many and most are all compelling enough to justify the move. To sum it up, though, you leave because the future upside is significantly higher than that of a regional. At 90-100K per a year, you are a hitting the ceiling of earning potential. At a major, 100K a year is the lowest pay you will receive as a first officer AFTER you've advanced deep enough into the longevity payscales (usually the 5 year point).

It's really a no-brainer. We all need to make the jump at some point. The longer you delay the inveitable pay-cut the harder it seems to overcome. But the first year goes rather quickly so it's not really that big of a deal.

 

[Dirty Sanchez]

In the not too distant past a job with a "major" was desirable- good pay, QOL, and (jet) equipment. There were no $90K regional captain jet jobs, only 'commuter' t-prop 135 positions paying half of that. Who would have wanted to fly 8 leg day, 120 hour months for their entire career?

Unfortunately our chosen profession does not compensate based off of experience level, only longevity. Until thousands of people stop lining up for a few hundred jobs that will never change. Your acquired skills will by far exceed your hourly rate for years (or even an entire career).

It is a difficult decision, but technically Mesa is a "major" now. Be happy there with $90K and some senority or take a pay cut, roll the dice, and go back to the bottom of the list somewhere else.

 

[Stifler's Mom]

I'm away from home more than all of them except the super tanker engineer. Did I mention he has a pension?

Chicks dig Super Tankers.

 

[greenbayfan]

"There is precisely one airline that won't treat you like a robot. If this really means a lot to you I suggest pursuing a B737 type rating"

The airline you speak of may not treat you like a robot, but requiring someone get a $7,000+ type rating BEFORE even showing up in their "hollowed" facility certainly puts them them in the "our ******************** don't stink" realm.....no offense, but SWA needs a drug test if they think the type gives them better new hires.

 

[skypine27]

"There is precisely one airline that won't treat you like a robot. If this really means a lot to you I suggest pursuing a B737 type rating"

Well, we're treated like children here at FedEx. Stupid ones, in fact. By both management (which I expect) and by our Union, which surprised the he l l out of me.

Buy the type and hope for a shot at working some place fun and that pays decent.

Or come here and work some place that just pays decent.

 

[igneousy2]

"There is precisely one airline that won't treat you like a robot. If this really means a lot to you I suggest pursuing a B737 type rating"

The airline you speak of may not treat you like a robot, but requiring someone get a $7,000+ type rating BEFORE even showing up in their "hollowed" facility certainly puts them them in the "our ******************** don't stink" realm.....no offense, but SWA needs a drug test if they think the type gives them better new hires.

From my very first introductory flight, private, commercial, instrument rating, CFI, CFII, MEI...it was ALL so I could get a job at a major airline. Flying is and always has been too expensive for this to be a hobby. If I thought for a minute I wouldn't have made it to a major airline I wouldn't have wasted the $20 for that first intro flight in the first place.

This argument against SWA because they require a type is STUPID. If SWA is your dream job then GO FOR IT. If it's not...then don't bother. You mean to tell me you plunked down 60-70k or more to get to the doorstep and then balk at a $6k type rating for your dream job. THAT's ABSURD.

And btw, SWA hasn't required a type before the interview for several years now...if you don't want to get the type before you show up at there "hollowed facility" you don't have to.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Why do so many people get these major airline "blinders" on?

Flylow is right. There are other jobs out there with far better quality of life, better compensation, and more nights at home with your family than even the majors can provide.

Don't strap on the golden handcuffs just yet. Look around.

 

[Double Shot]

Hey Greenbay

do what i did. Go to Continental get the FREE type and then leave for Southwest.

 

[spacecadet1]

Remember when you were a kid and you had to sit at the kids table during Thanksgiving, because there wasn't enough room with the adults. Well, at some point you have to grow up and sit with the adults.

 

[FurloughedAgain]

Gimme a break.

Remember when you were a kid and went to minor league baseball games. Not EVERY player at the minors went on to the bigs. MANY players had fantastic careers in the minors playing a game that they loved.