No love from the regionals.

[rickair7777]

Things are VERY slow right now...like others have said it can take months or even years to get a call. A few places might consider you over-qualified in that you will leave for a better job before they get their money's worth out of you.

My experience has been that an internal recommendation will get you a call...but even then it has taken as long as a year (or as little as one hour). I have never been called without a recomendation.

Explore non-regional options, and look into street captain jobs...I think one or two companies might still have a need.

 

[Hollywood82]

Thanks for all the great info guys. I really appreciate it.

For those who have suggested fractionals, I can only say that if I took that avenue I would be on here months later asking 121 questions again. I'm sitting left seat in an ultra right now and can say I'm not the biggest fan of 135 pax flying.

I know the pay is less at the regionals. I know the job sucks sometimes, but it's what I've always wanted to do. I have friends that fly at fractionals that miss working the regionals. There are people on both sides of the fence wanting to go opposite directions. Grass is always greener I guess.

If I don't go to the airlines I may regret it for the rest of my life. If I don't like it I can always do something different in a few years. If I'm making a mistake, I would rather do it before I have a family to worry about.

I was looking at Eagle on airlinepilotcentral.com and it looks like a 7 year upgrade. Is that right? Flowthrough? Looks like noone has left for a long time, is it that good of a place to work?

 

[regionalcap]

Oil is breaking records and the economy is tanking. Do you really want to leave a left seat job of an ultra to go to the bottom of a list?

 

[Flip]

Oil is breaking records and the economy is tanking. Do you really want to leave a left seat job of an ultra to go to the bottom of a list?

Exactly. Things are only starting to get bad. I try to stay positive overall but I think regionals are going to start taking hits right, left and center here shortly. I am even starting to wonder if some of the bigger legacy (United) carriers are going to make it another year. Anyways. Might be worth standing on the side lines a little longer. Regional seniority lists might start shrinking soon and fast.

 

[Mickey]

Have you thought of Spirit?

 

[Hollywood82]

Looks like airline stock took a dive yesterday. UAL (uaua) went from $21/share to $13/share. I didn't see any airlines go up. With fuel prices going up even more I wonder if my company is going to sell their jet, there's been talk of it.

Eventhough the recession is over it still looks like dark times ahead. I heard someone say maybe fuel/oil will be capped? I don't know how you cap a commodity in a global market where there is global demand. If you don't buy it for that price someoneelse will.

 

[Hollywood82]

Never thought of Spirit. I'll give it a shot, but I'm willing to bet that there's a line of ex ATA, Skybus, and Champion pilots a mile long, who are much more qualified for that job tham me. I don't have a 4 year degree yet, is that an issue at Spirit?

 

[acaTerry]

Allow me to be the source of everlasting knowledge here. Just ask this question...at 3600TT, 2 types and such, do you think the regionals will expect you'd be there long enough to get a return on investment for the cost of training? No, they know you have been in aviation too long to work for peanuts too long.

 

[RP170]

Look into Allegiant if you haven't already. One of 2 airlines (them and Southwest) that will still make a profit with current oil prices. They like to hire guys with 135 experience as well. It's an interesting little company. I had an offer from them at the same time I received my NetJets offer. I've done a good deal of research on them and have spoken to friends that work there. They all seem to like it.

 

[ratherbeflyen]

Don't worry too much about it. I sent 5 resumes out and got 5 interviews with 2500 TT, most if it from flying freight. SKYW was the only one who contacted me in the first month, Horizon was the last at 6 months later. The rest fell in the middle with 3 interview offers 3 months after applying.

 

[Hollywood82]

Look into Allegiant if you haven't already. One of 2 airlines (them and Southwest) that will still make a profit with current oil prices. They like to hire guys with 135 experience as well. It's an interesting little company. I had an offer from them at the same time I received my NetJets offer. I've done a good deal of research on them and have spoken to friends that work there. They all seem to like it.

I just read on here that Allegiant will be furloughing. I hope it's just a nasty rumor. How's Airtran?

 

[RP170]

I just read on here that Allegiant will be furloughing. I hope it's just a nasty rumor. How's Airtran?

That is strictly a rumor with no backing. I'd consider Allegiant before AirTran.