Is being a pilot at a regional like being Tom Cruise in Top Gun?

[airludy]

That must be what its like....I mean everyone is willing to work for beans there must be something great about it.

 

[CRJ puppy]

Oh yes!

 

[capt. megadeth]

Definitely.

 

[Bluto]

Let us know when you get that great-paying entry-level job. I'm sure you'll find it, since you are apparently superior to the rest of us.

 

[airludy]

A friend of mine just got a job flying a citation excel. He has about 1800 hours. Started him at 45K

 

[jehtplane]

A friend of mine just got a job flying a citation excel. He has about 1800 hours. Started him at 45K

Good for him. Do you work at a regional? How do you know what it is like? Does he have 401K, Per Diem, premium pay, junior assignment pay, rescheduling pay, union protection, seniority list, pass benefits etc etc.......

 

[airludy]

Yes he has good benifits. No protection since it is obviously a private company.

 

[Axel]

I flew a King Air for a corporation for $45k/year. Left to fly for a regional. Good move.

 

[SkyBoy1981]

A friend of mine just got a job flying a citation excel. He has about 1800 hours. Started him at 45K

I used to fly a Citation for about the same amount of money as your friend. Was there for almost 4 years actually. I was also quite abused for that 45k, so I left there for a job at a reputable regional carrier making half as much money. I couldn't be happier with my decision....at least now I am able to enjoy my life without all of the headaches that were associated with my last job. Its all about perspective.

 

[FLYN4LVE]

That must be what its like....I mean everyone is willing to work for beans there must be something great about it.

I think Airludy has something in his/her closet that he is not saying. Did you wash out somewhere or is it something else that suddenly made you hate the airline industry. I think you are hiding something....Common let us in on your dark secret! Did you not know the pay of a regional pilot before starting into aviation? If you didn't then you didn't do your research and its your bad. But why dis the others dont you have better things to do like find a different career.

 

[rvsm410]

I dont know about flying like in top gun, but I would not mind doing a low approach with Kelly Mcgillis!!! Go Mav!

 

[illeagle]

I flew a King Air for a corporation for $45k/year. Left to fly for a regional. Good move.

sounds like more $ in the king air. Why leave for a regional that is probably 1/2 the pay. Also PIC in the King Air must be better (more valuable flight time) than right seat regional? Curious as to your decision, I may have to make a similar decision one day soon. -Best

 

[Redmeat]

I dont know about flying like in top gun, but I would not mind doing a low approach with Kelly Mcgillis!!! Go Mav!

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~rn6d-hnd/people/kelly_mcgillis.jpg

Hot, (although a long time ago)

 

[Redmeat]

Good for him. Do you work at a regional? How do you know what it is like? Does he have 401K, Per Diem, premium pay, junior assignment pay, rescheduling pay, union protection, seniority list, pass benefits etc etc.......

I would take the 45K.
____________________________

401K: Invest

Per Diem: Everyone has Per Diem

junior assignment pay: Means your QOL sucks and your being screwed by scheduling

rescheduling pay: See above

Union Protection: Joke

Seniority List: Long time to upgrade

Pass benefits: buy a ticket for $59

Any other inputs?

 

[jehtplane]

I would take the 45K.
____________________________

401K: Invest

Per Diem: Everyone has Per Diem

junior assignment pay: Means your QOL sucks and your being screwed by scheduling

rescheduling pay: See above

Union Protection: Joke

Seniority List: Long time to upgrade

Pass benefits: buy a ticket for $59

Any other inputs?

really, you can fly to europe first class for 59 bucks, let me know what airline that is!

 

[Redmeat]

really, you can fly to europe first class for 59 bucks, let me know what airline that is!

Yeah, try pass traveling to Europe and back with your spouse, and see what happens when you get on and she doesn't. Do you leave her in Europe? (maybe)

 

[jehtplane]

Yeah, try pass traveling to Europe and back with your spouse, and see what happens when you get on and she doesn't. Do you leave her in Europe? (maybe)

I guess your jaded with bad luck.

 

[ackattacker]

It's just like top gun. Just the other day, I turned to my F.O. (Maverick) and said "You still have the number for that truck driving school we saw on TV?" He turned back and said "I don't like you cause your dangerous." That's right... I am dangerous.

 

[Redmeat]

I guess your jaded with bad luck.

Give it time my good man. You will be jaded too if you decide to remain in the "Industry".

 

[coolyokeluke]

I would take the 45K.
____________________________

401K: Invest

Per Diem: Everyone has Per Diem

junior assignment pay: Means your QOL sucks and your being screwed by scheduling

rescheduling pay: See above

Union Protection: Joke

Seniority List: Long time to upgrade

Pass benefits: buy a ticket for $59

Any other inputs?

1. It makes a difference (which you can admittedly make up for if you're making more money) if you can invest in your 401k in such a way as it reduces your taxable income. Don't know that you can do that on your own.

2. My per diem is better than when I worked at a 135 company.

3. If you're junior anywhere, even at a small 135 company, it's likely you'll be screwed by scheduling. This industry is as much a lifestlye as it is a job, like it or not.

4. See #3.

5. At least I have some kind of protection. How's it work at a charter/135/part 91/etc place when the boss takes a dislike to you due to a personality conflict or just playing favorites? What's your protection there? Company wants me to do something outside the contract, well I have an alternative or at least some recourse.

6. Seniority list: Your quality of life improves as you're at the company longer. You get the chance to upgrade when you're number's up, not when your chief pilot decides based on politics/buddy system/nepotism/etc. Slow upgrade can be anywhere, not just at a regional, just depends on your company's health, attrition and expansion.

7. Pass benefits are great. My family and I can travel very cheaply as long as we're saavy about flying standby. I can jumpseat for free. How many $59 tickets are there? A lot less than you think, and for not a lot of routes, and bought well in advance etc.

Not everything's great, not everything's better, but in my case the positives greatly outweigh the negatives.

 

[Axel]

sounds like more $ in the king air. Why leave for a regional that is probably 1/2 the pay. Also PIC in the King Air must be better (more valuable flight time) than right seat regional? Curious as to your decision, I may have to make a similar decision one day soon. -Best

QOL. There are some good corporate jobs; this was not one of them. Time-building was not an issue. The short term pay cut hurt like heck- tightened my belt and plowed on through, happy to have a life again. It was more than a fair exchange. I'm making more now than I ever would have there. I would still like to end up at a major, but considering my age, the state of the industry and the fact that expenses always rise to meet income it will take a miracle or two for that to work out.

Contentment lies in the ability to tailor decisions to the situation and the ability to adapt as those situations change.

 

[fugghedabowdit]

I don't know about you guys, but the free motorcycle and beach volleyball on the overnights would be hard to give up.

 

[UnstableAviator]

Too bad Top Gun edited out the hours of straight and level cruise and rigorous checklist usage. But otherwise, its right on.

 

[WSurf]

JehtPlane,
You gotta be a new regional pilot... Come on, 45k to start on a Corp. Jet. That sooooo much bets flying for a regional airline. I work for a US Airways Express company and non-rev sucks. Ticket are soooo cheap, that my wife and I buy space positive tickets when we travel.
Put your boots, and Ray-Bans up... Regional flying is weak!!!!!! I would jump on a chance for a nice corp. Job!!!!
401k, Preminum Pay, etc. etc!!!! Put the kool Aid down young man... Geeez you gotta be new to this game!!!

 

[mullet]

I work for a US Airways Express company and non-rev sucks. Ticket are soooo cheap, that my wife and I buy space positive tickets when we travel.

What the Sam Hell are you talking about??? Just got back from St. Maarten 2 days ago, paid $40 dues to taxes. 115 seats open going down, 165 coming back. US Travel Pass is free!!! There was a time it cost $180/ year. United used to charge a percentage for each leg.You can wear jeans in the back, khakis for first. UAL all non rev'ers had to be dressed business like for coach, a tie for first. You check availabilty and list on the website or by the phone. As far a buying your tickets...sure you do!

 

[FN FAL]

I guess your jaded with bad luck.

Were you trying to say, "I guess your Jihad was bad luck."?

 

[SkyBoy1981]

Contentment lies in the ability to tailor decisions to the situation and the ability to adapt as those situations change.

Very well said. One of the best quotes that I have ever read on here.

 

[islandhopper]

Too bad Top Gun edited out the hours of straight and level cruise and rigorous checklist usage. But otherwise, its right on.

:laugh:

 

[islandhopper]

That must be what its like....I mean everyone is willing to work for beans there must be something great about it.

I was in ground school at my most recent airline with a real cool guy that flew charter. Now not just king airs & crap. He flew fast lears and a BBJ out of BUR. Rock stars, actors, all kinds of sh!t. Sounds good huh! All true.

Well I must admit we got into a little argument about whose job sucked more. His charter job or my regional job. He easily won that argument.... & I worked for satan himself over at mesa. But you are so green to aviation you probably have no idea what I am talking about. This post wasnt for you then. Ever try selling cars?

 

[NEDude]

I used to fly corporate before moving onto a small regional. Had a chance to do a 121 charter the other day and it brought back memories of the worst part of corporate flying - waiting around the FBO for the perpetually late passengers.

Can't sit back and relax, can't get a bite to eat, can't watch a movie, can't do anything but sit there and be ready to go at a moments notice. Flying corporate once, I missed lunch and dinner because for six hours the passengers were "just a few minutes away". Didn't want to run out to grab something, didn't want to order something, and the company didn't want to order crew meals all becuase the passengers would be there in a "few minutes" and wanted us ready to go. Two hours of waiting the other day killed any desire to return to that side of aviation because in my experience waiting was the norm, not the exception. In 121, if the passengers are not there on time, tough, they get left behind.

One other benefit to airlines - even the most crappy regionals - not having to clean up someone elses sh!t. Doing lavs was such a nasty job.