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What Would You Do ?

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CLARKGRSWOLD

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 28, 2007
Posts
278
I am currently a 10 year Captain for a large regional. I just turned 31. My wife and I have been discussing options for the upcoming years. Is it worth leaving for a "legacy" ? What would you all do ? I am torn over staying or leaving
 
If you can get to a legacy in the next five years make the move!
 
I am currently a 10 year Captain for a large regional. I just turned 31. My wife and I have been discussing options for the upcoming years. Is it worth leaving for a "legacy" ? What would you all do ? I am torn over staying or leaving

Getting on in the beginning of a "wave" can really be a windfall down the road. Everyone in your position wonders about flying reserve again, as an FO, taking a paycut, flying weekends, etc. Usually that won't last too long at a legacy. You have options, like going for a larger plane that may make you more money, staying in a narrowbody for a better schedule and QOL, etc. It is all about options---you have choices that can make a difference. You can get out of your comfort zone of knowing every frequency in the area, and actually have a challenge, maybe flying places you have never been to before, and seeing places you have only seen in magazines. And, the pay you made at the regional will be back usually within a few years, and then it usually goes up for the rest of your career (barring any BK procedings, etc). It is a gamble, but can be worth it definitely.

Again, the risks could be furlough, weekend flying for a few years, and lower pay for a couple years. Getting on in the beginning of a wave can help mitigate those somewhat. Retirements over the next 5-10 years will move you up the ladder really quick too.


Bye Bye--General Lee
 
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Make the move and don't look back. The worst day at a major is better than the best day at any regional. You have over thirty years left to ride out the waves.
 
It's a tough one. During the last hiring at my airline couple years ago, we have all sorts of high time CA from regionals, and some from other majors that had a few years under their belts. We all traded our seniorities and gamble that in the long run it'll be worth it. To each it's own, i suppose. Majors were hiring all sorts of aviator with different background, and chances are you won't be the oldest guy in class if you get on a legacy in the next few years. (Our oldest newhire was in early 40's).

In no way I'm saying staying at a regional is a bad career move, but like most things in life, playing it safe may not maximize your return in the long run. Just think of it this way, would you rather risk it a little at age 30, or when you have your mid-life crisis at 40, and trying to make the same jump as you are right now?

I'm sure whatever you and your wife decide will be for the best of your family. Good luck! Let us know how you shake out when you retire!
 
Hiring boom is coming in 2011, get on the front and see what happens, you will know if you made the right move in 5 maybe 10 years. Remember all the guys who went to their career jobs at NJ, ABX, DAL, AAL, etc. Seniority at your present job may have some nice side effects.
 
I had a good job with a corporation flying as a Captain on a Jetstar making good money. I was 35 when I quit and went to work for a west coast small airline flying 737's for 700 per month. The fourth month I got furloughed for eight months then came back at the same pay for another 8 months. Everyone thought I was nuts but I wanted to fly large aircraft full of people, not 10 execs to business meetings and golf courses in San Juan etc.

It was the best choice I have made in my life. I retired as a captain flying wide bodies international at MIA 25 years later. Ended up with a good retirement and bought in the Keys when it was cheaper. Getting ready to get in the boat tied to my dock and go enjoy an afternoon at my favorite Tiki bar watching my favorite band. Six years after retirement I have not regretted my decision once, not even when I got furloughed. Do it.
 
Make the move and don't look back. The worst day at a major is better than the best day at any regional. You have over thirty years left to ride out the waves.

Truth. On reserve at Frontier I had a better quality of life and made more money than as a top 2% lineholder at my regional.
 
I had a good job with a corporation flying as a Captain on a Jetstar making good money. I was 35 when I quit and went to work for a west coast small airline flying 737's for 700 per month. The fourth month I got furloughed for eight months then came back at the same pay for another 8 months. Everyone thought I was nuts but I wanted to fly large aircraft full of people, not 10 execs to business meetings and golf courses in San Juan etc.

It was the best choice I have made in my life. I retired as a captain flying wide bodies international at MIA 25 years later. Ended up with a good retirement and bought in the Keys when it was cheaper. Getting ready to get in the boat tied to my dock and go enjoy an afternoon at my favorite Tiki bar watching my favorite band. Six years after retirement I have not regretted my decision once, not even when I got furloughed. Do it.

Amen...

One word of caution, though -- be careful making a decision based on being at the beginning of a hiring boom. I was hired at the beginning of a "major hiring boom" (due to the wave of impending retirements). Three days into ground school (yes, literally 3 days) age 65 passed and the "boom" ended. Now I'm furloughed, waiting out the old geezers to start to retire (or the two pilot groups to rip each other apart...). Hopefully then the "boom" will come. So, don't count on anything...

That said, knowing what I know now, I still would have taken the job, furlough and all. And, I hope to go back to the job at some point. (Seeing the family every 2-3 months is starting to suck...).
 

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