Any happy regional pilots out there?

[TheDogsBollocks]

Just curious,

Was scanning through the regional threads and posts, I am amazed at the amount of vitriolic and nasty responses to some of the subject matter.

This begs the following question - Are there any regional airline pilots out there?

P.S. I ask this question sincerely.

 

[justmeinmsp]

Nope.

 

[Networ-King]

Just curious,

This begs the following question - Are there any regional airline pilots out there?

Sincerely.......yes there is a ton of them out there

sorry could'nt help it........

 

[Beechnut]

I am. I've been at AirWis for 2.5 years now, an F.O. the whole time, and consider myself happy. Doesn't mean I don't get aggrivated, but I do enjoy my work and the company I work for.

S.

 

[jarhead]

It's just like in all walks of life. There is a cross section of society that are pilots at regional airlines. Some are happy, some are not. A lot of the attitude may well be, which regional carrier has the most happy pilots, and which carriers have the most disgruntled pilots?

 

[chperplt]

FlyChicaga

It's refreshing to see your attitude.

Print out what you just wrote, and at some point in the future when you're having a bad day read it over.

Good luck and Take Care

 

[Heavy Set]

Flychicaga,

Great post. Attitude does mean a lot. Most pilots need to remember that the situation can always be worse - you could be desk bound in a windowless room somewhere....

 

[jarhead]

FlyChicaga

You, sir, are what it's all about to be successful in life! It isn't about the destination.......but the journey that counts. When we all reach the ultimate destination...............it's all done.

Great attitude!

 

[Flechas]

or like somebody said before, you could be screaming "RIGHT RUDDER"

 

[T-Gates]

I'm very happy. Everyone I fly with has their own set of interesting quirks and approaches to flying which really makes things fun and interesting! I think flying with all different kinds of crews is helping make me a better person, in all honesty. I learn something from each crew. I don't think I've ever laughed harder and longer than I have at this job. The airplane I fly is a blast to buzz around in, and I make it a personal challenge to fly it more smoothly and efficiently every turn.

Sure, pay could be better... hopefully we'll get some new equipment and better pay scales soon. Some days when it's hot as all blazes, and for the 4th time today we are waiting for wingwalkers to mosey on over, you just gotta shrug and "sigh." You can always have bad days... just gotta take them in stride.

I honestly couldn't imagine doing anything else. Talking with my ex the other day, she was b*tching about her new job and how she wanted to quit after her first few days. I couldn't imagine feeling that way. I feel really fortunate to be doing exactly what I want to do. Not many people can say they look forward to going to work. I am lucky I can always say I'm looking forward to it.

Some people think my positive attitude comes from being young and new. But that's not it. I'm just really easy-going and don't take things personally. I'm not going to waste fun times being bitter. Bitterness isn't going to make for a fun flightdeck. I just hope that someday when I move on to another company, it can be as much fun flying there as it is at my current company.

More people need to heed their own advice and sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

PS: People should also realize that loving your job and enjoying the company you work for doesn't mean you'll be a wh*re. You can be happy, a good employee, and maintain self respect.

You should try to bottle that attitude and sell it to pilots everywhere.....

But I agree.... I bitch just as much as anyone else in this industry, but just yesterday I was doing a visual into Bingamton, NY on a beautiful day with great views of the mountains and remembered why I chose this career.

--03M

 

[Cracker]

I'm sure some of the negative attitudes are just the realization that quite a few of us are going to be professional regional pilots for the rest of our career. The high six figured salary, 36 hour layover in Tokyo, only working 4 days in a month days are slipping away and it upsets most.

We all want what we are worth. I know I'm worth at least $300/hr. It's a bitter pill to swallow when you see those wages slip away. Maybe we'll get back to the glory days of flying...only time will tell. You never know...us regional guys and gals may eventually get paid a pretty decent six figure salary someday.

Under the table and dreaming...sigh.

 

[knightflyer]

I love you man!

 

[nimtz]

I'm very happy. Everyone I fly with has their own set of interesting quirks and approaches to flying which really makes things fun and interesting! I think flying with all different kinds of crews is helping make me a better person, in all honesty. I learn something from each crew. I don't think I've ever laughed harder and longer than I have at this job. The airplane I fly is a blast to buzz around in, and I make it a personal challenge to fly it more smoothly and efficiently every turn.

Sure, pay could be better... hopefully we'll get some new equipment and better pay scales soon. Some days when it's hot as all blazes, and for the 4th time today we are waiting for wingwalkers to mosey on over, you just gotta shrug and "sigh." You can always have bad days... just gotta take them in stride.

I honestly couldn't imagine doing anything else. Talking with my ex the other day, she was b*tching about her new job and how she wanted to quit after her first few days. I couldn't imagine feeling that way. I feel really fortunate to be doing exactly what I want to do. Not many people can say they look forward to going to work. I am lucky I can always say I'm looking forward to it.

Some people think my positive attitude comes from being young and new. But that's not it. I'm just really easy-going and don't take things personally. I'm not going to waste fun times being bitter. Bitterness isn't going to make for a fun flightdeck. I just hope that someday when I move on to another company, it can be as much fun flying there as it is at my current company.

More people need to heed their own advice and sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.

PS: People should also realize that loving your job and enjoying the company you work for doesn't mean you'll be a wh*re. You can be happy, a good employee, and maintain self respect.

Know I'll get flamed, but here's a reality check:


Come back in two years after flying the line. This is the attitude of a newbie who is still enthralled with the idea somebody is paying him to fly an airliner. We have all been there at sometime, heck I was flying a jet at 21. Thought I had the greatest gig in the world. Looking back now I see just how young and naive I was back then.

 

[TheDogsBollocks]

To Fly chigaga and the other guys: Nice to hear we have some happy campers out there.

To Nimtz: Cynicism is alive and well but your post bears a lot of truth-regardless of where we are in the career ladder.

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[ArcticFlier]

It beats the hell out of digging ditches........................

Glad To Have This Job..................

AF

 

[SkyWstman]

This is my second regional. My first one went out of bussiness three years after I got hired. Then I got on with Skywest and have been here ten years. Love it. Being fairly senior helps with getting good schedules and the pay , well it pays the bills and a little extra. My kids are healthy, my wife still wants me to come home at night. I guess it's all good.

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I am a freight pilot, and I like my job. I graduated from college in 1984, and this is the best job that I've had. That being said, I would leave if I found a job that is definitely better.

Horizon, Air WI and Comair would be definitely better than the job I have now.

Cliff
SDF

 

[hagen]

Artic you haven't ever used a ditch witch have you. Digging ain't that bad!!!

 

[hydroflyer]

Perhaps an advantage to flying for the airlines (major or regional) or cargo is that at least if you have a bad day, it usually won't carry over to the next (unless it is really bad). Think back to instructing, one bad student or problem could linger for days, weeks or years.

Reading some of these posts, you can see how some still fly because they find ways to enjoy it, and others are getting very bored with it. I guess that is why I'm not in a rush to advance to large airplanes, once you're there, what next? Pay is good, but bordom can increase as well. Personally I'm just enjoying different airplanes and seeing what happens. Who knows maybe I'll retire at a regional. But hey, if I'm based where I want to be, have a descent salary and can maintain a good quality of life, why complain? The trick is to be hired by good companies so that you can leave if you want, not because the company is so bad that you have to leave.

 

[Jeepman]

If I were single I would love this job. Being married makes me wish I was doing something else to be home every night. SkyWest is a very good regional to work for, although UAL is really dragging us through the mud and that is frustrating.

Sometimes I get more disgusted at the vulgarity on this board. People don't realize how stupid they sound when they cuss on here.