New (Older) Pilots staying w/ Regionals

[dojetdriver]

As an example when I jumped into this industry in 98, ACA was considered one of the best places to work. Good management, good training, and a strong union presence. It's a long sad story, but they have been out of business for quite some time. Comair is a similar story with simply a longer death spiral.

Quality of training depended on what fleet type you were on. Many others on here can attest to that.

As far as strong union presence goes, couldn't agree more. Granted, they (like EVERY everybody) else dropped the ball here and there once and while. But what I wouldn't give to have that leadership at my current employer.

You can toss AWAC in there as well. Although not in a "death spiral", a far cry from what they they used to be, sadly.

 

[wuberoo]

OK, so I have had a few years of college but no degree. I understand that this is another hurdle for me at 40 but is it really that big of a job killer? If you have the times and licenses and can interview well, could this be enough?

 

[Dubya]

Okay, this has gone on long enough.

Mesa sucks.

 

[say again]

"If" an individual chooses a new career as a pilot for the regionals (40+ years old), which regional is a good or decent airline to possibly start and end their career?

Do you not read the responses to the same question you ask in other threads? Read what Buscap said, it's pretty much dead on. Im a former ACA'er as well.

 

[dojetdriver]

OK, so I have had a few years of college but no degree. I understand that this is another hurdle for me at 40 but is it really that big of a job killer? If you have the times and licenses and can interview well, could this be enough?

If it says "4 year degree required", well.........

However, it's all supply and demand. It's also not unheard of to sometimes "bend" a requirement depending on who you know, etc

 

[pilotguy143]

I'm a current and soon to be furloughed Comair guy. Thankfully, I've only be at Comair for 3.5 years, it's the 10+ year guys who are getting furloughed that I feel bad for. Bottom line, go to a major and build seniority fast.

 

[xjhawk]

I was hired at a regional at 42. My intent was to stay there until retirement. I lived in base, made $80K in year four and would have happily finished my career as an RJ pilot. Then my company filed BK, I was downgraded back to FO and took a 50% paycut. Best thing that ever happened to me. Fortune forced my hand. I had to start looking for a better paying job. I got lucky and was hired by a major a couple of months later. I was 47. Fast forward 4 years. Life is pretty good. I make a lot more money and my QOL has never been better even though I now commute. In my experience unless you are super senior at your regional you are way better off in the long run if you take the initial paycut and get hired with a major. I did it with only 12 years left until retirement and I have no regrets. YMMV.

I am happy to see that someone has lived on what I plan on doing. thanks for the post

 

[79%N1]

So when is the General going to come on here and ruin this good thread by insulting and antagonizing RJ pilots to make him feel better about himself?

 

[Caveman]

OK, so I have had a few years of college but no degree. I understand that this is another hurdle for me at 40 but is it really that big of a job killer? If you have the times and licenses and can interview well, could this be enough?

I got hired without a 4 year degree, but that's not the norm. The hard part is getting the interview w/o a degree. It can be done but with thousands of qualified pilots with degrees looking for the same job the odds are really stacked against you. I wish I had better news for you, but that's the reality. Do whatever you have to do to finish your degree. It could be the only thing keeping you from getting an interview. I was lucky. Counting on luck is not a good career strategy.

 

[no1pilot2000]

I worked for ACA also. I enjoyed the people I worked with. Too bad it went out of business. Doesn anyone know who is using the former ACA maintenance hanger?