A question for all of you

[COEX-FO]

Or should I go to a regional to fly a jet, fly right seat for about year and a half and take te associated pay cut??? All your imputs and help would be greately appreciated.

Right now, I would stay at MAC (sorry Skydiverdriver as I know you are also ex-MAC) unless you can get on with Southwest, Airtran or JetBlue. They are the only ones worth leaving for. Leaving for a regional (especially Pinnacle) is a big mistake.

When I left MAC for COEX, I expected to be upgrading right about now. It's probably going to be a year (or two) more until that happens. Thinking upgrade in a year and a half is, at best, the mins. At COEX new hires will be right seat for years!!!!

The majors are not hiring for the next few years until recall of furloughs and business picks up.

I used to fly that CSG route for MAC. Aside from the night shift, it's a good job, better than an FO on reserve at any 'regional' airline.

Remember, MAC pilots have gone to most regionals, Jet Blue. AIrtran, Northwest, Midway (oops) and most others.

It's not out of the question to go directly to a major (in a few years) with all the PIC Turbine time you are getting each week.

Just my opinion.

 

[Britpilot]

I do not know much about the freight side of things, but is there much variety in the flying you do or is it all the same basic route? That could get a little boring also all the 'vampire" time you put in.
I still think that 2-3 years to upgrade to a jet with a National airline is not bad and who knows what will happen at COEX and others or the industry as a whole. It all comes down to what you want to do for the next few years, your own personal situation and do you ENJOY what you are doing because that is still the most important factor. Too many people out here were so focused on their "career" and getting to a major that they missed all the fun and are now either furloughed or possibly looking at furlough. The so called Regionals are not a bad place to be at the moment, with new aircraft deliveries and hiring continuing and even profits being made. Now there's a concept.

 

[skydiverdriver]

COEX-FO

Okay, I agree with most of what you say, but doesn't it bother you that nobody has ever gone to a good major out of MAC? I dont' think he would lose anything by going to a good regional. Yes, he might be on reserve for awhile, but perhaps if he picked one that doesn't have a long wait for captain, or a flowthrough that is pushing people back. I have nothing against COEX, and some others, but just because you don't feel good there doesn't mean he would feel the same if he went to Comair or ASA or ACA. Some regionals have very little reserve, quick upgrades and a pretty good future, if you get stuck there.

Well, just my opinion, which is what the man asked for, and thank you for yours.

 

[COEX-FO]

Re: COEX-FO

I'm actually quite happy at Express. 9-11 changed a lot here but that's just the breaks. In retrospect, I had an offer at ASA as well but choose COEX because at the time it was the correct choice (for me).

I was only at MAC for six months (perhaps you don't remember but you were quite helpful to me in getting that job) and I flew with this Captain for three months myself.

I still think he is better off at as a CA at MAC than Pinnacle as an FO. Quality of life stuff and pay being two big reasons.

The only pilot I personally know at MAC that went to a major went to NWA. Unfortunately he was furloughed.

Rigth now, with the hiring market as it is, building PIC in F-27 will do more for a major career than starting over in an RJ! I think so, anyway.


Fly safe!

Okay, I agree with most of what you say, but doesn't it bother you that nobody has ever gone to a good major out of MAC?

 

[enigma]

Elmo, you didn't state your goal other than working for a national somewhere down the road. From that, I assume that your goal is to fly people. Here's me two cents. The pax industry is bad news right now. Yesterdays conventional wisdom is out the window. We all know that the big money and easy schedules come with the majors, or rather they used to. A year ago this time, I'd tell you to go to work flying people. Now, I say find a job that you can be happy working for five to ten years. I consider myself extremely blessed to be working for a company that pays reasonable, and have a contract that dictates a decent work environment. Because, I don't think that any of those big money jobs from yesteryear will be coming my way anytime soon. Nor will one be going the way of more than a couple of hundred guys a year who happen to get on with JB, SWA, FedEX.

Bottom line, the upward mobility in the pax industry is on hold. I say don't go to work for a company with poor pay and work rules(Pinnacle), because you will probably be there for more years than you expect.

I'll defer to SDD about MAC, but as to box haulers in general; Spirit has a bunch of you. Along with the normal mix of retired Generals, Colonels, Corporate jet drivers, five year military vietnam era guys, commuter dogs, and guys who had bad luck at Midway (original), Braniff, EAL, PanAm, AirFlorida, PrivateJet, etc. Freight Dogs make good people pilots, and I don't really think that it is a stigma worth worrying about.
Good Luck,
8N

 

[skydiverdriver]

He allready has over 1000 pic in the Fokker, and nobody said he should leave just to fly a better aircraft. I also agree with Enigma that box haulers make excellent people haulers, but the history shows that they just don't get the jobs for some reason. I think the good major people carriers discriminate against regional cargo guys, but the big cargo carriers don't care. So, from a people regional, I think the opportunities are better, that's all. Also, it's nice that you have a contract, but he doesn't. MAC is non union.

Good luck on your decision.

 

[Rick1128]

Elmo,

You have to do what is best for YOU! But personally, I would stay where you are. You are flying Captain on a Transport Category aircraft, making reasonable money. Hopefully. Spread it out over say a 5 year period. How much will you earn where you are and how much a pinnacle. What is the difference. Do not factor in any upgrades. Is it worth the difference?

Good luck

 

[Britpilot]

Can anyone say travel privilages?