For those who quit the regionals...

[CX880]

GMAFB - those two Colgan pilots don't control the industry, but they DID control what went on in that cockpit that fateful evening.

Those two Colgan pilots made the very simple mistake of forgetting to push the power levers up after leveling off from of a descent - a mistake that wasn't caught until airspeed decayed to the point the shaker activated...but had they properly reacted, they'd still be here. Unfortunately, they didn't, and the complete and utter disaster that was their reaction to shaker activation sealed their fate.

I see absolutely no difference between Comair departing the wrong runway and Colgan forgetting to WATCH THEIR AIRSPEED and then doing everything wrong when a simple application of power and the loss of a couple hundred feet of altitude could have saved their asses - both were gross pilot errors that resulted in a significant loss of life.

You keep reaching for scapegoats in this accident, blaming Colgan, the FAA, fatigue rules, compensation structure, etc...blaming everybody but the two professionals who had demonstrated stall recognition and recovery on EVERY. checkride they'd ever taken.

In the Comair accident, folks were playing the fatigue card, and blaming the tower controller, and Jepp for not having updated the chart, LEX for the confusing runway alignment, etc...but just like then, sometimes you've just got to call a spade a spade...

Then why are all these changes coming to the industry? If what you are saying is true then the outcome should be nothing more than a profile addition to the sim training. Kind of like how we have to say that runway heading matches runway, courtesy of the Comair crash.

 

[BoDEAN]

Thought I would start up this thread again to see the responses...


Where and what are you doing now?

My background. Aviation Science degree. On my second regional (been with the regional career for 6 1/2 years), still a first officer. I am the bottom guy in my base, on Reserve, and really seeing nothing change. I could switch bases from where I live and drive to another base, putting me 22/38 on the list. But I am getting married next year, ready to start a family, and thinking of leaving the industry all together. The pay and amount of time I am on the road with terrible schedulemjust isn't paying off for me. Curious as to those who left flying to pursue another career, what did you do? I'm great with building computers and thought about pursuing something in that job market.

 

[COOPERVANE]

We told you so

 

[777forever]

Thought I would start up this thread again to see the responses...


Where and what are you doing now?

My background. Aviation Science degree. On my second regional (been with the regional career for 6 1/2 years), still a first officer. I am the bottom guy in my base, on Reserve, and really seeing nothing change. I could switch bases from where I live and drive to another base, putting me 22/38 on the list. But I am getting married next year, ready to start a family, and thinking of leaving the industry all together. The pay and amount of time I am on the road with terrible schedulemjust isn't paying off for me. Curious as to those who left flying to pursue another career, what did you do? I'm great with building computers and thought about pursuing something in that job market.

Good luck its a brutal world out there right now. I know one guy that went to law school after a furlough vowing never to come back. He got plenty of high fives and pats on the back from the "forum crowd" When his airline recalled that boy came running back as soon as he could and had plenty of horror stories about the law profession. I would hang tight if I were you. unless you're completely miserable

 

[bri5150]

Good luck its a brutal world out there right now. I know one guy that went to law school after a furlough vowing never to come back. He got plenty of high fives and pats on the back from the "forum crowd" When his airline recalled that boy came running back as soon as he could and had plenty of horror stories about the law profession. I would hang tight if I were you. unless you're completely miserable

Wait, this is a good job? Hmmmm....

 

[plunger]

Good luck its a brutal world out there right now. I know one guy that went to law school after a furlough vowing never to come back. He got plenty of high fives and pats on the back from the "forum crowd" When his airline recalled that boy came running back as soon as he could and had plenty of horror stories about the law profession. I would hang tight if I were you. unless you're completely miserable

Thats because regional pilots are too stupid to do anything else. We like to compare ourselves to doctors and lawyers but we're not. Pilots are too smart to be satisfied working in grocery store or at Lowes but too stupid to be successful in anything other than some sh!TTY flying job. That includes those pulling down the "big bucks" at the good flying jobs. Most of them were in the right place at the right time and probably wouldn't be hired at their current companies had they undergone today's hiring standards

 

[johnpeace]

Thats because regional pilots are too stupid to do anything else. We like to compare ourselves to doctors and lawyers but we're not. Pilots are too smart to be satisfied working in grocery store or at Lowes but too stupid to be successful in anything other than some sh!TTY flying job

Perhaps you're speaking for yourself.

I'm a software developer who decided I'd rather fly airplanes for a job.

I know a number of folks at my company who took a similar path to aviation and who maintain currency in other vocations.

 

[JAFI]

Perhaps you're speaking for yourself.

I'm a software developer who decided I'd rather fly airplanes for a job.

I know a number of folks at my company who took a similar path to aviation and who maintain currency in other vocations.

johnpeace, I'm happy you found the job you want.

However, here is an example that there will always be someone who will take that RJ job hoping for a better life. If it works, thats fine. You still have to ask why so many leave in the first place. Until there is unity in the work group (all airline pilots), there will be no change except the names and faces of the people in that position.

 

[JettBoii]

777 is a complete idiot.

 

[777forever]

777 is a complete idiot.

Your mom

 

[SBD]

I'm giving it up. It's a great job when the cockpit door is closed. In my 5 years at OH it has all been downhill. The only positive I had was when I was based in my home city for 8 months on reserve. I'm gonna miss the flying but not as much as commuting to DTW. Hopefully this industry eventually turns around and there are better days for all of us. I have no idea what I'm gonna do but I'd rather be Al Bundy and sell shoes then commute to reserve in DTW in a few months. Good luck to all.

 

[user912]

LXA, good sobering reminder of how the best of intentions can go so wrong. It happens in all industries, but the pilot profession seems to attract a much more emotionally attached crowd then the bricklayers union.

Many of us from the military have no real appreciation for the years of toil it takes to get your experience on the civil side and all you hear is how everyone started in a rj with 250 hours.

This 9/11, recession, age 65 stagnation, and transition of mainline flying to regional jobs has done more to put a sobering spin on the 121 pilot profession than any other generation.

Now we just wait for the UAV's to take over!
Luv

Funny you should mention UAVs! When I first read this article I posted it on the Majors section because the author seems to be suggesting from the perspective of a retired pilot that the Southwest model is the one to use post-Deregulation if we want this piloting career to survive into the future.
http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?t=141012&page=2
The moderators moved it to the General Aviation section. However, I think it has more to do with Regional pilots working on food stamps and quitting to work at McDonalds.
Regional Airline Pilots on Food Stamps

 

[DrunkIrishman]

I was toiling as an FO at a "good" regional (my second regional btw) just after 9/11. No upgrade in sight, in spite of being a captain at my previous regional for a few years. I was offered a job as an associate professor at a prestigious university as well as being their chief flight instructor. That career was worth low six figures and would have allowed my kids an education at no cost while keeping me home every night and weekend.

I chose to stay at the regional. I am currently flying as an FO for an international carrier with decent pay and conditions. I do not regret my decision to stay in the profession. At the same time, I would not do it all over again knowing what I know now.

 

[LearLove]

Just today I was cleaning out some stuff from my childhood at my mother's house. I had a pile of about 30 airplane books (Janes World Aircraft, Airplane Spotters Guide) and some of my books from pvt to ATP (1990's vintage) and some of my father's books from his pvt and military flying(1960/70/80's vintage).

I had them set aside to donate to the local library for their summer book sale, planning to drop them off next week after my trip this weekend. My mom suggested that my 8 year old nephew may want some of the "airplane books".

I quickly stopped what I was doing, loaded them into my truck and drove them to the library before anymore damage cold be done to a family member.


BTW I also found my rubix cube, x-wing fighter (Chewi was in the cockpit - can't find Luke) and Han Solo blaster gun. Anyone know if a 1982 Mike Schmidt baseball card is worth anything?

 

[johnpeace]

I quickly stopped what I was doing, loaded them into my truck and drove them to the library before anymore damage cold be done to a family member.

Good call!

 

[JettBoii]

The X Wing fighter and Chewy will bring you some extra cash.

 

[bri5150]

The X Wing fighter and Chewy will bring you some extra cash.

Yeah, I sold my Star Wars stuff from the 80's, well used, on ebay for $500 a few years back. I didn't have that much left to be honest. I was quite happy. It may have coincided with the release of episode III though, so there may have been a bit of a bubble.

 

[BoDEAN]

A bit late, but interesting thread....

 

[gromgutten]

Korean Air A330 Capt, and NO REGRETS whatsoever.

I cannot understand why anyone would contemplate more than a few years in a regional airline.

 

[airtime4]

Sat behind a desk for a 10+ years, thought I could make my hobby of 15 years another career … looking back I really miss it...going to lunch with coworkers and customers, friends and family, get off when I needed, never missing the kids ball games or Xmas (huge), helping with homework, cookouts with friends, Saturdays at the lake, etc. I’m one of the lucky ones, after 5 years at this airline, working 4 day week typically means I get to see my family about 40% of the time, those that upgraded at 6 years will not see another weekend or vacation in July for another decade because there are to many senior not leaving. Sure you can go to a major and spend the next decade working weekends but that is not for me. Flying is a lonely job with a great deal of liability, lots of shear boredom in the air and in a hotel room. We spend a lot of time away not supporting our families, there is a lot of life that passes us by while we sit earning $1.80/hr in a hotel or airport. Then there is the fact we never do any strategic brain activity, no real decision making, its already planned out in the FOM or OM....we just turn left turn right park.... Do the same thing day in day out. No sense of accomplishment…..320+ hours per month away from base…paid for 75 hours…. this is the life (of a regional pilot). I’m just glad I only spent about $20k to get here….it all depends on what you want in life, living on the road out of a bag or with your family…I see a lot of stressed people that cant get out due to lack of other skills or being financially strapped, way to many broken homes …for me I’m over this, life does have a lot more to offer I’ve seen the other side and the grass was greener.