Fractional to Regional?

[CherryBomb]

Hey guys I've got a question. One of my coworkers is contemplating something that I think is a bit unusual. We work at a good fractional that has good pay, good schedule and an overall good QOL. He doesn't have much PIC turbine time and he is considering leaving our company and trying to get a job with a regional.

He says he's worried that he wont be able to get a job with a major if the only PIC time he has is in small jets and small turboprops.

In a way I can kind of understand him. I could see this being a dead end job, but the lifestyle is hard to give up.

I know a lot of regional guys leave for the fractionals, but has anyone ever gone the other way???

He says he doesn't visit flightinfo much (probably smart on his part), so I thought I'd pose the question. I'd be kinda interested to hear what y'all have to say too.

 

[BoeingBaller]

I have considered it myself.I hate being out on the road for a week ,Dumping lavs,loading bags,flying with uptight crews,no work rules, Ect.But the week off sure is nice.Also when you look at any first year regional pay, wow how do you live on that.Face it unless your 5 th year capt somewhere aviation sux.

 

[CherryBomb]

I have considered it myself.I hate being out on the road for a week ,Dumping lavs,loading bags,flying with uptight crews,no work rules, Ect.But the week off sure is nice.Also when you look at any first year regional pay, wow how do you live on that.Face it unless your 5 th year capt somewhere aviation sux.

Heh Heh, Well put...

 

[eaglefly]

The majors and LCC's will need pilots in the coming years. Biz jet PIC will be looked at favorably. Accentuate the positive.

-Flying into different airports/situations with very little notice, sometimes out of country.
- Being understanding of the needs of business travelers/executives who can have high expectations.
- Flying high performance turbojet aircraft as PIC and making decisions every bit as challenging as the airline world, where you have many more variables that YOU must anticipate/control (do this deftly without belittling the airline responsibilities).
- Convey a long time desire to experience the airline world and how it would be a new challenge.

The majors/LCC's have and will hire with diversity in background. IF a PIC spot seems closer, I'd stay and take advantage of that.

 

[jtf]

Guys have left NetJets for Southwest, Fedex, and UPS quite recently and I'd guess that this will continue at a fairly small rate since NetJets is a career job now, but some guys just aren't happy with 7 away and without heavy iron. Personally, I would quit aviation before I would go back to the regionals- 4 1/2 years was enough. I would have to guess that if NJA is good enough for them, it will be good enough for the legacy's cariers also. As far as no work rules goes your friend must not be at NetJets since I know our work rules are way ahead of anything at the vast majority, if not all, regionals. Honestly, if your friend wants to fly heavy iron I'd suggest he puts in the time to upgrade at the fractional and once he has the PIC time to apply where he really wants to go since his QOL just can't possibly be better in the first couple of years at whatever regional he could possibly go to unless he just can't do 7 away anymore.

 

[Hawkster54]

Tell your friend the grass isn't always greener on the other side, just a different shade of brown. Jumping ship for the PIC is a bad habit to get into. Tell your "friend" to stop thinking like a F'ing idiot.

 

[Superpilot92]

The Regional life isnt bad at all if you go to the right company. I am going to be upgrading right at 2 years and have a great QOL. I have friends at Skywest upgrading quicker than 2 years. Dont know about the fracs but honestly i have really enjoyed the path i have taken. FWIW