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Regional for a career

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BGSM

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 27, 2005
Posts
136
I am in the job market and trying to explore all my options. Background is Part 135 night freight, aerial survey, corporate pilot. 4000tt 1000 multi 650 turbine PIC (C-208)

Currently flying the 208 but my life is crappy. I flew less than 100 hours last year all low level When not scheduled to fly I have to sit at desk in basement office for 40 hours a week. I am paid well 65K, plus pension medical etc. but sitting there month after month I feel like the guy from the movie Office Space its driving me nuts. Some people think its bad choice to leave based on pay, stablility, etc but I am realy unhappy.

Flying is my second career been in law enforcement for years. I am 45 so I don't think I will ever make to the majors. I know first year pay is pretty low at all regionals but what can you expect in years 2,3, and 4. If I do decide should I go to the regional that has fastest up grade to so get paid more since majors most likely happen. Will I ever make 65+ at a regional if you make it career ? I weighing my options and looking at regional, corporate, med flights etc. Over pay is the biggest priority... yeah I know shoud of picked another career LOL.

I would appreciate any suggestions and feed back on what route to take
 
Your age does not disqualify you at a legacy. Most have learned not to hire all new pilots at the same age, because then they all retire at the same time. So, you still have a shot. Most huge retirement numbers at the 3 big legacies come later this decade, so you have time now to go to a regional and position yourself for a legacy or a Low Cost Carrier (Spirit, Frontier, Virgin America, JetBlue, Southwest). Don't go to a Regional planning to stay there. The top guys will be staying because they don't want to start over, leaving you with so-so QOL. Go to one that is expanding, try to get some 121 time, and make the jump to a legacy or a Low Cost Carrier. The Regional industry is sinking, and the top at each regional airline will ride it down. Good luck, and I will PM you.


Bye Bye---General Lee
 
Oh boy, BGSM is in for it now! Lol the great Jenny Leigh dispensing her wisdom.
 
Oh boy, BGSM is in for it now! Lol the great Jenny Leigh dispensing her wisdom.

So, would you suggest him going all the way to Vietnam for SIC time? That was probably the craziest thing I have ever heard. For SIC time? Huh? That was idiotic. He hopefully won't ask you for advice. Muy loco!


Bye Bye---General Lee
 
Go to a regional you can be happy at if you're stuck there. As a captain at the right one you'll make 100K+ in time. With all the movement that'll happen in coming years, you could easily make captain at any number of regional gigs that have decent pay. Again, chose one where you can honestly say, 'If this is my last job, that's fine with me.' Then try for a major
 
I am in the job market and trying to explore all my options. Background is Part 135 night freight, aerial survey, corporate pilot. 4000tt 1000 multi 650 turbine PIC (C-208)

Currently flying the 208 but my life is crappy. I flew less than 100 hours last year all low level When not scheduled to fly I have to sit at desk in basement office for 40 hours a week. I am paid well 65K, plus pension medical etc. but sitting there month after month I feel like the guy from the movie Office Space its driving me nuts. Some people think its bad choice to leave based on pay, stablility, etc but I am realy unhappy.

Flying is my second career been in law enforcement for years. I am 45 so I don't think I will ever make to the majors. I know first year pay is pretty low at all regionals but what can you expect in years 2,3, and 4. If I do decide should I go to the regional that has fastest up grade to so get paid more since majors most likely happen. Will I ever make 65+ at a regional if you make it career ? I weighing my options and looking at regional, corporate, med flights etc. Over pay is the biggest priority... yeah I know shoud of picked another career LOL.

I would appreciate any suggestions and feed back on what route to take

For once, I agree with General Lee.

I don't think it's a good idea to plan to stay at a regional. You may think you have it good when you are there....but...you will only realize how bad it was in the pay, scheduling, and treatment realms once you leave for more well managed establishments.

Plan on 2 or 3 years max even just as an FO. The second you get hired at the regional level, I recommend immediately putting applications in at every legacy and low cost accepting them and update monthly until you are hired at one.

Regional airlines suck....plain and simple. If you want a faster upgrade and a bit of a once in a lifetime adventure consider applying overseas. They have positions from Dash 8 on up open.

www.parcaviation.aero
www.crewresourcesworldwide.com/‎
www.rishworthaviation.com/‎
 
Whether you plan to stay at a regional or not, make sure it's one you can stand long-term and one that will likely be in business for 20 years (or as long as you might be stuck there).

I'm thinking at 45, especially just starting in the industry, there is no reason to think you will be stuck at a regional for the rest of your career. The landscape for a 50 yo captain living in base, bidding well and making $100K+ is a bit different than a 50 yo capped at the top of regional FO pay, getting crappy lines and commuting.

I strongly suspect that you are in a good position to make the jump. The industry is about to change heavily in favor of pilots.

My experience is that people making a career change have a much better grasp and perspective on the "suck" of airline life v. the real world. Make the best of where you are and enjoy.
 
I would go to PSA Airlines. They are adding like 40 new aircraft to their fleet. Almost all of the pilots are being flowed up to USAirways really quickly creating lots of movement upwards. Get in now at the beginning of the wave. You could be at a major airline in 5 years.
 
Your age does not disqualify you at a legacy. Most have learned not to hire all new pilots at the same age, because then they all retire at the same time. So, you still have a shot. Most huge retirement numbers at the 3 big legacies come later this decade, so you have time now to go to a regional and position yourself for a legacy or a Low Cost Carrier (Spirit, Frontier, Virgin America, JetBlue, Southwest). Don't go to a Regional planning to stay there. The top guys will be staying because they don't want to start over, leaving you with so-so QOL. Go to one that is expanding, try to get some 121 time, and make the jump to a legacy or a Low Cost Carrier. The Regional industry is sinking, and the top at each regional airline will ride it down. Good luck, and I will PM you.


Bye Bye---General Lee


100% spot on
 

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