For those who quit the regionals...

[filejw]

I am surprised some people don't do better research when thinking of a flying career.When i started 40 years ago the complaints were pretty much the same as i read here, away from home, seniority list etc etc...The BS has changed the work some but the job hasn't change much.

 

[aviator38]

Come and join the FAA as a ASI. I quit Mesa went to UAL, got FURLOUGHED a week before training. Good, stable job at FAA. Pay is good, job stable, no weekends/holidays, never work past 4pm, and no hectic pace. Most of all NO furoloughs. Also plenty of opportunity to transfer. And did I say a retirement plan??
I do miss the people I worked with, however I do not miss flying the line. The harderst thing about my new job was learning how to sit behind a desk for 8 hours without going stir crazy! A few walks outside periodically help with this. Good luck!

 

[inthegoo]

1)Where are you working now? (I'm having a hard time finding anyone out there who needs a former airline pilot with an aviation degree)

2)Do you regret leaving/miss the flying a lot? (Why/Why not)

(I do realize that there might be mostly current regional pilots reading this, but I figured I'd give it a shot on here)

...Thanks for the help, I'm just withering on the vine making this kind of money for this many years and I think I finally need out!

1)I am a stay at home dad

2)No

2a)get the hell out now while you still have your youth

 

[crxpilot]

Come and join the FAA as a ASI. I quit Mesa went to UAL, got FURLOUGHED a week before training. Good, stable job at FAA. Pay is good, job stable, no weekends/holidays, never work past 4pm, and no hectic pace. Most of all NO furoloughs. Also plenty of opportunity to transfer. And did I say a retirement plan??
I do miss the people I worked with, however I do not miss flying the line. The harderst thing about my new job was learning how to sit behind a desk for 8 hours without going stir crazy! A few walks outside periodically help with this. Good luck!

Good luck with that. I like my office view better!

 

[kmox29]

Good luck with that. I like my office view better!

I'm an ASI as well, and I am rarely in the office. I get your same "office view" without all the B.S. that comes with it. Cheers!

 

[crxpilot]

I'm an ASI as well, and I am rarely in the office. I get your same "office view" without all the B.S. that comes with it. Cheers!

Well not to mock you, but if you are an ASI, you ARE the BS! sorry.....

 

[lancair360]

Many employers believe that pilot skills do not translate well into other professions. They are wrong. I'm about to give you the best tip you will ever receive if you want to change careers and start out earning a six figure salary.

Google: MWD, Measurement While Drilling, Directional Drilling, Horizontal Drilling, Marcellus Shale and educate yourself a bit first.

If you think you are cut out for it then email your resume to [email protected].

 

[WAVIT Inbound]

Where does one find the requirements and application to be an ASI?

 

[BoilerUP]

Where does one find the requirements and application to be an ASI?

www.usajobs.gov

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: (this is for Air Carrier Ops ASIs)

MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Not more than two separate incidents involving Federal aviation regulations violations in the last 5 years; Valid State drivers license; Fluency in the English language; No chemical dependencies or drug abuse that could interfere with job performance; and High school diploma or equivalent.

MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must be physically able to perform the duties of the Aviation Safety Inspector position in a safe and efficient manner, and must meet all of the following requirements:
A. Have a good distant vision in each eye and be able to read printed materials the size of typewritten characters (glasses and contact lenses permitted) without strain; B. Have the ability to hear the conversational voice (hearing aid permitted);
C. Not have any physical condition that would cause them to be a hazard to themselves or others or that would interfere with their ability to fly as passengers in a variety of aircraft.

SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To qualify for this position you must demonstrate in your application that you possess at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to FV, FG/GS 9/11/12 in the Federal Service. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. This experience includes at least 1 year of pilot experience in multi-engine aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds maximum certificated takeoff weight; not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicants pilot error was involved and professional flying skill as demonstrated in a simulator check to Airline Transport Pilot Standard. Minimum of 100 flight hours during the last 3 years, Airline Transport Pilot Certificate or Commercial Pilot Certificate with instrument airplane rating (Department of Navy positions require pilot experience as demonstrated by previous ATP level performance in large multi¿engine airplanes and helicopters); Possession of a valid second-class FAA medical certificate (For positions within the Department of Navy, applicants must also be physically qualified to ride as an observer aboard squadron aircraft. In addition, must also meet physical requirements to travel and lift heavy objects while performing mishap investigations); and minimum 1,500 total flight hours. In addition, applicants for positions that require participation in the operation of aircraft must pass recurrent medical examinations as prescribed by the FAA.

 

[WayBack]

I am surprised some people don't do better research when thinking of a flying career.When i started 40 years ago the complaints were pretty much the same as i read here, away from home, seniority list etc etc...The BS has changed the work some but the job hasn't change much.

I agree, but also you have people who think "I can do it, it can't be that bad."
When they get their, they're dead wrong.

 

[kmox29]

Well not to mock you, but if you are an ASI, you ARE the BS! sorry.....

Have you been personally wronged by an FAA Inspector? Or do you just hate the FAA and anyone who works for them.

 

[CX880]

Have you been personally wronged by an FAA Inspector? Or do you just hate the FAA and anyone who works for them.

The FAA did not stop Colgan that's why there are 51 dead.

 

[BoilerUP]

The FAA did not stop Colgan that's why there are 51 dead.

No, 51 are dead because two "professional" pilots didn't pay attention to what the fark they were doing, let their airspeed get dangerously low, then reacted in the exact opposite way they were supposed to when the plane's stall warning/prevention systems activated...which would have never happened if they had been paying attention to what they fark they were doing and maintained proper flying speed.

 

[WayBack]

which would have never happened if they had been paying attention to what they fark they were doing and maintained proper flying speed.

Scary thing is, they MIGHT have been paying attention as best they could. They just didn't know any better. Wasn't he a GIA grad? Express Lane to the airlines, WEEEEE Look at me in my hat! But I have no idea of what I am doing.

 

[crxpilot]

Have you been personally wronged by an FAA Inspector? Or do you just hate the FAA and anyone who works for them.

Ding, ding, ding................we have a winner. You're right on both counts.

 

[wacoflyr]

I tried 121. In fact, I had initial with JetJam, who was doing a longterm, for some reason. I had come from the 135 world, and did not fit in with 121. I liked the crews for the most part, but I did not like the company culture. Just not for me. So after about 8 months I left for the fractional world (Avantair) and couldn't be happier. Better pay, better QOL, a real schedule. But what I really like is that I never know what the next day will bring. I could be on either coast, in Mexico, Canada, or the Bahamas. I fly the coolest aircraft I have ever flown, and the company culture fits me much better. Again, nothing against Eagle, I just didn't fit in. I appreciate the training I got, and I respect the job, but I will not be returning.

With great regards (and respect), Wacoflyr

 

[kmox29]

The FAA did not stop Colgan that's why there are 51 dead.

Wow. That line of thinking is so frightening, I don't know what to say.

 

[kmox29]

Ding, ding, ding................we have a winner. You're right on both counts.

Sorry to hear that. Remember, not all of us are the same. When I was a line pilot, I was treated pretty harshly by some mainline pilots (even left behind with an open jumpseat so the Captain could "prove a point" about scope).

However, I would never then HATE the entire mainline pilot population.

 

[CX880]

Wow. That line of thinking is so frightening, I don't know what to say.

I guess you never saw that pbs special on colgan where the faa inspector was trying to whistle-blow.

 

[CX880]

No, 51 are dead because two "professional" pilots didn't pay attention to what the fark they were doing, let their airspeed get dangerously low, then reacted in the exact opposite way they were supposed to when the plane's stall warning/prevention systems activated...which would have never happened if they had been paying attention to what they fark they were doing and maintained proper flying speed.

So do you blame a kid when they chop off their hand in a sweat shop? After all, they weren't paying attention.

 

[BoilerUP]

So do you blame a kid when they chop off their hand in a sweat shop? After all, they weren't paying attention.

You're really equating adult Americans, working of their own free will in a profession that costs tens of thousands of dollars to qualify for, with a child working in a sweatshop?

Really?

The FAA didn't kill the passengers of Colgan 5191...its pilots not paying attention to airspeed, and then doing literally everything wrong once the plane's stall warning/prevention systems activated, resulted in their deaths.

But by all means, continue looking past professional responsibility/personal accountability while you grasp for FAA strawmen...

 

[amaineiac]

Come and join the FAA as a ASI.

You make it sound like they're handing those jobs out like candy. I've had my stuff in there for 5 months now and haven't heard a thing. Spoke with a few feds at different FSDO's (unbelievably nice and had lots of suggestions) and they said it's an increasingly hard gig to get, especially if you're not a vet.

So what's the secret if I want the job?

 

[GlenQ]

So, have any of you who've left the regionals tried grad school or anything like that (or anyone who's stayed in the regionals for that matter)? I bet it wouldn't be such a bad idea to get a Masters and have it to fall back on to teach at a college with it

 

[kmox29]

I've had my stuff in there for 5 months now and haven't heard a thing.

Gotta remember, it's the Federal Government...nothing moves very fast. It took me 2 years.

 

[kmox29]

I guess you never saw that pbs special on colgan where the faa inspector was trying to whistle-blow.

I did see that PBS special. In fact, I thought it was a well put together program. Could the FAA have done things differently? Sure. Post accident usually reveals what a lot of people could have done better.

But to lay the bodies at the feet of the FAA saying this is all your fault is incomprehensible.

You can't go through life, blaming everyone else for not protecting you enough. At some point you, as a professional, need to take responsibility for your actions.

 

[Dizel8]

"not more than 2 flying accidents during the last 5 years in which the applicants pilot error was involved"

Wow!

 

[11thHour]

I left the regionals 2 years ago when an opportunity came up in airport mgmt nearby. Haven't looked back since. It was a lateral move in pay, but I'm home every night, work a fixed 4 on, 3 off schedule, have better bennies, have a pension, and get more vacation than I ever had at the airline. Easy to get time off with less than one day notice, whether moving a workday or taking it as vacation, making it easy to adjust my schedule for events. No need to bid for it in advance. Work is easy, no stress. Plus, it's very stable. Overall, it was the best move I've made. Now I just listen to the pilots complain as I walk through the airport rather than being the one complaining.

I missed the flying for a few months. I missed 'being a pilot'. I missed some of the people. Now though, I don't miss it at all.

 

[GlenQ]

Do you think it would be very plausible to leave the regionals with a few thousand hours and then come back a couple years later, without your currency?

 

[eaglemaster]

I have been out of the airline life for over two years now. My family matters more than the Airline Pilot title. I hate to say that the "box" is checked and that was never my intention; I payed my dues and worked at two different regionals. I knew the pay was low and the days from home long. Suddenly, overnight almost, I had to change back into my bussiness suit and leave the airline life. I returned to the Emergency Medical Service where I had worked as a paramedic years before. I had kept all of my required skills current and rejoined the workforce. I bought my first home, a nice car and have no intention of moving. Do I miss it? Sometimes yes. Even going to towns nobody wants to go. I flew the mighty Beech eveywhere and nowhere. My pilot skills were never sharper. Now, I have moved up the company ladder and still CFI and fly a club owned BE33, but as a weekend pilot, I must admit that my personel minima are more like MVFR. Also my local Civil Air Patrol unit keeps me busy outside of work and is a good distraction from the office I now have. I can fly a twin turbine-prop at flight level, but I can only afford a Bonanza, a few hours month at 8000 ft. My choice was right for me. I want to go back when the lifestlye and rules change for the better. I think most of us do. Until then, my alarm will go off at 6AM for the next five days.

 

[qxpilot27]

It has been about 3 months since I left the airline gig. I left Horizon to come to Pinnacle as a street captain. I spent about 13 months in the left seat, and then came the downgrade. I couldn't stand the lifestyle and time away from home for a meager 24K a year. I put an app in with Target. Yeah its retail, but I am home every night, the money is good, and my performance determines my future, not my hire date. I haven't missed the flying too much yet. I do feel a sense of disappointment that my career didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. But I am damn lucky and I know there are a lot of people out there dealing with far worse circumstances than me. I believe everything happens for a reason, so I will just go with the flow. I do feel there are challenges switching careers. Many employers look at pilots as a very unique career with a skill set that doesn't translate to other industries. There are however, a few good companies out there that can appreciate what pilots bring to the table. We are very skilled and demonstrate an enormous ability to multi-task and handle many different types of situations without the benefit of time. We demonstrate a tremendous amount of responsibility and have many great leadership skills that have been engraved in our heads from day 1. I have no regrets so far and I am very excited about my new career. Saying I work at Target doesn't sound as good as saying I am an airline pilot, but at the end of the day it sure feels a whole lot better.
Cheers!