Becoming a Regional Airline Pilot

[Flying Ninja]

Research ATA (Airline Training Academy) and TAB Express (Airline and flight school). Buyer beware! If it is too good to be true, it probably is. These schools stole the lives, dreams, and money of many looking for the 'fast track' to an airline career.

I'm pretty sure Tab Express is out of business. I think they stranded all their cadets one morning and told them to go home as there is no more flight school.

 

[SBD]

dang, I should of went to dental school!

 

[SBD]

should have, should have

 

[Tyro]

Its a better direction to become a dentist or an accountant or somethin. Then you will be able to afford to fly for fun...

Yah...and you end up with a different set of problems is all...

 

[Murdoughnut]

LOL...man, talk about dejavue...I completely understand the high maintenance girlfriend. My suggestion (and of course I'm not telling you to do) is to slowly cut back on the spendings on her. Chicks will drain a bank account faster than you can say V1. I thought as you did that I can be broke and do something I love. Then I found myself broke, without a girlfriend, with debt, and no flying job. If you need time away from your honey, get some guy nights into the week. Best wishes, and here's something for you to think over:

http://www.mitchfatel.com/muffinjoke.html

I think you're right, although I've generally found that if I cut the flow of money to my girlfriend, she cuts the flow of sex to me. Sounds like prostitution to me, but the police say they can't make a case. The flash animation was pretty dam_ funny - thanks man!

 

[Papps]

Dude, i quit reading this thread at page 2. But do yourself a favor and stay way the hell away from this career. My life has literally fallen apart since i started this sh1t. And i have wanted to do this all my life. By the time you finally realize what you got yourself into, you will have one hell of a desision to make when you figure out that you need to switch careers. You will waste your 20s in a dead career and you will watch your non pilot friends buy houses get married and take vacations. they will tell you how christmas was awsome and you should have been there. but your were working for subminimum wage next to some moron that paid for training in some cookie cutter school, who incidetally is now your captain. Im probably bitter, but im Fu%ing positive that im burned out and tired. You will have 10 guys like me tell you this stuff, and then one moron will chime in with " this careers not so bad, it could be worse, im just glad to be doing what i love." heres some advice, let that moron do it, you take care of yourself and make some money somewhere else.

 

[pgcfii2002]

I suggest spending $80,000 for a $18,000 a year job.......

 

[pgcfii2002]

dang, I should of went to dental school!

I was telling myself that while working line service 4 years ago!!!

But no, I still want to fly....besides who needs money????

 

[loverobot]

Dude, i quit reading this thread at page 2. But do yourself a favor and stay way the hell away from this career. My life has literally fallen apart since i started this sh1t. And i have wanted to do this all my life. By the time you finally realize what you got yourself into, you will have one hell of a desision to make when you figure out that you need to switch careers. You will waste your 20s in a dead career and you will watch your non pilot friends buy houses get married and take vacations. they will tell you how christmas was awsome and you should have been there. but your were working for subminimum wage next to some moron that paid for training in some cookie cutter school, who incidetally is now your captain. Im probably bitter, but im Fu%ing positive that im burned out and tired. You will have 10 guys like me tell you this stuff, and then one moron will chime in with " this careers not so bad, it could be worse, im just glad to be doing what i love." heres some advice, let that moron do it, you take care of yourself and make some money somewhere else.

Now thats funny.

But the question is........ Is Papps gonna burn up his 30's the same way??

I feel your pain bro, but you haven't felt anything untill you get furloughed at age 48. Or, maybe getting your retirement snuffed out through bankruptcy at age 60.

As an Airline Pilot you are renting your job, not owning it. Think about it.

 

[pgcfii2002]

Simple, DON'T get married to a gold digger, DON'T buy the 3000 SQ FT house, DON'T buy the BMW(s), DON'T buy a boat. Work a second career in your spare time. Plan to save about 30% of your income for retirement...diversify.

You'll be just fine........hyperconsumption does not have to run your life!!!

 

[Av8rPHX]

Dont become an AIDS victim like some of us either. Family is more important than any job.

 

[SBD]

Papps and pgcfii2002 I seriously don't know. When I chose my expensive school I thought everything was going to be all gravy. I really was not pulled in by the hype of the promise of an regional airline interview. The training was great and most of the CFI's that I work with are really good guys. But this industry is some real sh*t. My old lady was supported me through this whole event. I'm still relatively young (late 20's) and have a 4 year degree. I should have done some research before being 80,000 in debt.

 

[Papps]

I guess its inevitable that someone was going to chime in with a "you havent felt anything until" story. Thats what i get for posting while intoxicated. Note to self: dont get furloghed or turn 48 because some turd sandwich on flightinfo.com said they were both a bad idea. Thanks for feeling my pain bro.

 

[loverobot]

I guess its inevitable that someone was going to chime in with a "you havent felt anything until" story. Thats what i get for posting while intoxicated. Note to self: dont get furloghed or turn 48 because some turd sandwich on flightinfo.com said they were both a bad idea. Thanks for feeling my pain bro.

No problem.

Actually, i'm not 48, but i have been furloughed. After I got furloughed I was in a newhire class at another airline where there was a guy that was 48 and furloughed. I also met a guy the other day at the airport who said he was 60 and lost his retirement to "that dang company".

I was just projecting their pain onto you, who obviously has a lot of pain already, not unlike myself. That was a pretty turdsandwichey thing to do.

Good luck being a looser like me.

Something else I have noticed is that a lot of guys put more emphasis on the value of a seniority number then others. Maybe thats why there seems to be a lot of schlups leading miserable existances instead of leaving for a better/higher paying job. Take the plunge like I did, and just quit-- its a bullshoot job anyway.

 

[Papps]

Yes you are somewhat turdsandwichey, thank you for finally admitting it in this, very public forum. I dont care for your reckless use of the words "bullshoot" or "dang company", children or the elderly could be viewing this, oh so public forum. Ive also taken notice of the word "schlups" in your last message. I doubt that schlups would like to be verbally wrangled together with pilots. Its demeaning for those poor little SOBs. And if by take the plunge you mean quit a regional to take a job at a fractional than I would say, no thank you...been there.

 

[Flying Ninja]

Yes you are somewhat turdsandwichey, thank you for finally admitting it in this, very public forum. I dont care for your reckless use of the words "bullshoot" or "dang company", children or the elderly could be viewing this, oh so public forum.

How about the word "frack" can that be used? They get away with it in Battlestar Galactica, but then again, that's a cable channel.

 

[Papps]

Im pretty sure that any use of battlestar galactica terminology in public is just bad form

 

[pgcfii2002]

So you're flipping through some magazines and you see an ad that says you can be a pilot in 6 months? How good a job do you suppose that could be? I haven't found too many ads saying, "Become a neurosurgeon in 6 months!" " I went from a dead-end job to Cardiologist and you can too!"

Realize that your entire career and quality of life from training to "retirement" will depend on access to easy credit, since you won't really make much money. Take a break from the drums for a weekend and seriously think about how practical it will be to live on $40,000 or less for the rest of your life. The wages you see today, as bad as they are, are likely to be the highest they will ever be. If you look at this job realistically and throw out all the nostalgia and stereotypes about the Captains with the Harleys and the sailboats, and realize what you are getting into is a job with about the same salary and benefits as a department manager at K-Mart, then you may escape the disillusionment that many here are facing.

The FedEx guy likes his job and for good reason: his company is in a business with sufficient margins to pay him AND make a profit. Most airlines are not like that and they are making up their revenue shortfall by taking it from the employees. They are not changing their business model to make more money, they are merely adjusting the expectations and payroll to accomodate the failed business plan and hoping for cheap fuel someday.

Life is only so long, so do what you love. But love something loveable.

I agree, seems as though the passenger airlines keep cutting each other's throats evertime they have a fare sale. Why on earth are they doing this, just to maintain market share, and fly full aircraft AND lose money?? Who knows it might get so bad at some point, the government might start regulating fares again.

 

[no1pilot2000]

Regional Airline pilot salaries

Even though I have decided not to pursue a career as a regional airline pilot, I do know individuals who want to pursue that career field. They are going through either colleges that have aviation flight training programs or are getting the training themselves by becoming flight instructors or some other means.

I have been reading various comments and also have been talking to people who currently fly for regional airlines. Pilots who pursue this career path put alot of time, effort, and expense into reachiong their career goals. Then, WHY do regional airline pilots get paid poor salaries?

Thank you.

 

[pgcfii2002]

Then, WHY do regional airline pilots get paid poor salaries?

Well.......regionals offer a stepping stone, therefore, why pay tons of money to someone who won't be there very long. Besides, an airline invests quite a bit on training, hence the very low first year pay.