Quitting your regional and then asking for your job back.

[Windsor]

For many who got stuck at a regional post 9-11, it's not worth it, nor does it make any sense, to move on to a regional. For many, it would take 12 years to just break even and make up lost income, let alone the loss of quality of life, vacation, seniority, etc........

The majors aren't the glamour job of old. Time's have changed- for the worse. Anybody that has made the jump to a major (any of them) in the last year is staring a furlough square in the face........Unfortunately......

AMEN to that! The so called "Major's" are not what they were 10 years ago. It used to be a pretty sweet job, but all of the concessionary contracts signed in the last decade have eroded that lifestyle away.

For the guys that have been at a regional for quite some time, built up a decent paycheck and quality of life, why flush it down the toilet chasing some "dream" job that is evaporating right before our eyes?

 

[rumrnr78]

Did anybody read my post? I gave a ASA payscale of 18 years!!! F'n 18 years! Not an RJ captain who has been there 5 plus! Jesus, the payscales make me sick.
And, have you flown naps? Talk about the walking wounded, no thanks. Been there and done that too much!! Flying at a regional, as a career, will only wear you out! I was a late bloomer myself getting hired in my early 30's but I knew that it was quality of life (and pay) that would be the motivator to leave! I dealt with Georgia in scheduling! Think I want to deal with that skank in my mid-fifties? No way! And, don't say she left cause she will be replaced with another HS educated loser who is paid to "F" with those who have educated and sacrificed themselves to get to their current position.

And to the troll who mentioned about flying the rich- thank God for them! At least they are paying the money for the flight, at the airlines they make the employee subsidize the flight! Oh, and after the great crew meals and hotel/airline points, you will never miss jumpseating and getting bumped!

Seniority at ASA is only one RFP from ending. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Cheers- Rum

 

[scarlet]

yeah and about 10-25 senior guys get that kind of Sch. I don't think everyone in the company is getting paid 100 hours a month.

Sept. and Oct. ALL airlines are going to be cutting back !!!

DL/NW going to get real ugly...when MEM and CVG closes the doors....

Hopefully ASA will get those 90s from Pinn..

 

[USCtrojan]

Okay, settle down now. With all that knowledge and bravado, why don't you pick up a guitar and play an arena? You'll make millions and won't have to subject yourself to all this "industry stress?"

The industry has CHANGED FOREVER. You want me to risk my income, family, lifestyle because "regionals are lame." Listen to yourself. Talk to any pilots in this industry that are happy (ESPECIALLY Major Airline pilots?) I've been at my REGIONAL for 12 years. Great schedules, now great leadership, life is good. I should give that up? GFY. For the record, my QOL is great. My income is adequate, sure as he!! beats unemployment. God bless anybody that wants to take on the risk of "flying for a Major." I hope you're single and can endure the hardship (I certainly don't wish it upon you). The Industry is what it is, make your choice and live with it. You move on, you also inherit the consequences of that choice.

Trojan

 

[say again]

I have no other skills but flying!!! haha. It seemed like a great idea back in '99. Its hard to teach an old dog new tricks, and I know that first hand. Anyone with ideas (supplemental income) don't hesitate to pass them on this way.

 

[highnpressurize]

Don't forget about the time value of money. Say your barely making out on that 100k a year, and then move to a major that's going to pay you what, 40k (I'm aware that there are exceptions). So you take a 40k-60k pay cut. Now assume that your family and financial position allows you to live on said 40k. Why not just take that extra 60k from you regional gig and invest wisely ("wisely" may be argued on another thread). By the time you retire your nest egg will far exceed the one you would have had if you left for a major and you would not have to give up QOL to start at the bottom of another list. Furthermore, if second year pay at said Major was 65k, and you repeated the process with the extra 35k that you'd have by staying put and so on and so on, the math will almost never (previously noted possible exceptions) be financially better off going to a major. I don't fly for a regional or a major, so take it for what it's worth. With inflation, it's not much.

 

[No.W.]

yeah and about 10-25 senior guys get that kind of Sch. I don't think everyone in the company is getting paid 100 hours a month.

Sept. and Oct. ALL airlines are going to be cutting back !!!

DL/NW going to get real ugly...when MEM and CVG closes the doors....

Hopefully ASA will get those 90s from Pinn..

100 hours a month on average.

It's the soft time that matters.

I've been at SkyWest for 5 years. You don't have to be senior to make money. You just have to be senior to make money and not work your tail off.

It's all about perspective. I work hard because I like to work hard. I'm looking to move on to something else...but NOT a domestic major airline. Either something overseas or something else entirely...but for now one CAN make money...yes even as a junior reserve and yes even when they are cutting back hours(I've been doing it for 3 months now). You just have to work for it.

It's valid to NOT want to work that hard, and it's valid to say we are worth more. MY POINT is that you CAN make the money...maybe not as much as you want(when is there EVER enough?), but enough to do OK, if you are willing to work hard for it. That's not reasonable to most people, I understand it, but when folks start making claims that only the top of the seniority list is making 100k (or close to 100k) then I have to correct them. I know plenty of captains at SkyWest who are doing the same thing I'm doing, at the same basic seniority, making the same amount of money. It sucks because it's hard work...and yes we are WORTH more...but it is what it is. It's a FACT that...at least at SkyWest...you can make very close to six figures as a junior reserve captain.

 

[AWACoff]

You can make close to 6 figures at Air Wisconsin at year 5 captain pay as well. Big deal. You are so busy working you lose out on life. Work to live, not live to work. Once you have that 1000 PIC turbine, you aren't getting that much more marketable. Enjoy your money. SPEND some of it.

 

[comrcap]

And you are who?

To be fair, anyone working for a regional who doesn't exhibit an extreme willingness to leave for greener pastures should have their medical revoked.

If you are of the opinion that all regional pilots are losers if they choose to make it a career, then I guess that you are already making the big bucks at a major? NOT! You're on the internet flexing! You may be at a major, but you still have a little one! Hey! How's that working for ya! Airline life is about seniority. What's your number pinhead?!

 

[No.W.]

You can make close to 6 figures at Air Wisconsin at year 5 captain pay as well. Big deal. You are so busy working you lose out on life. Work to live, not live to work. Once you have that 1000 PIC turbine, you aren't getting that much more marketable. Enjoy your money. SPEND some of it.

That's what the BMW in the driveway is for(that I put around 12k-15k miles a year on).

I agree...and that's why I work...to SPEND the money(though I've been doing too much of that lately...trying to use the extra to get out of debt now).

 

[comrcap]

If you are of the opinion that all regional pilots are losers if they choose to make it a career, then I guess that you are already making the big bucks at a major? NOT! You're on the internet flexing! You may be at a major, but you still have a little one! Hey! How's that working for ya! Airline life is about seniority. What's your number pinhead?!

O yeah. One more thing. My seniority allows me to take on more risk and own 2 homes, 4 cars, a boat and the schedule to enjoy it! And I don't commute. Bravo Mike!

 

[imacdog]

If you are of the opinion that all regional pilots are losers if they choose to make it a career, then I guess that you are already making the big bucks at a major? NOT! You're on the internet flexing! You may be at a major, but you still have a little one! Hey! How's that working for ya! Airline life is about seniority. What's your number pinhead?!

I am at a fractional, not a major. Our first year FO pay rate is higher than getting 1,000 hours of credit as a 7-year CRJ-200 captain at Comair. Let's also set aside the QOL improvements on the road and 100% company paid medical benefits. And what good does that seniority do for you when mother Delta decides to start pulling flying from you? I certainly remember reading the RFP press releases a couple years ago when I was working for ol Fred and Don, boy howdy that was fun wasn't it? I'm glad you don't commute but not everyone is that excited about living in Florence or Hebron.

 

[Browntothebone]

Is the first year pay cut that big a deal for you guys? At UPS you will be making well over 6 figures your second year. Are you guys so far in debt that you can't take a one year pay cut to be followed by every year that you work of well over the max you could ever make at your current commuter?

 

[Windsor]

Is the first year pay cut that big a deal for you guys? At UPS you will be making well over 6 figures your second year. Are you guys so far in debt that you can't take a one year pay cut to be followed by every year that you work of well over the max you could ever make at your current commuter?

How does that apply to the current job market? The best jobs in the industry in my opinion (Fed Ex and UPS) are not going to hire for years. Those two companies are the exception to the rule when it comes to second year pay. All of the Legacy's will require 5yrs+ to make 6 figures.

 

[Superpilot92]

How does that apply to the current job market? The best jobs in the industry in my opinion (Fed Ex and UPS) are not going to hire for years. Those two companies are the exception to the rule when it comes to second year pay. All of the Legacy's will require 5yrs+ to make 6 figures.

The new NWA/DAL rates should put 2nd year pilots making just shy of six figures depending on the aircraft you are on. fwiw

 

[Browntothebone]

How does that apply to the current job market? The best jobs in the industry in my opinion (Fed Ex and UPS) are not going to hire for years. Those two companies are the exception to the rule when it comes to second year pay. All of the Legacy's will require 5yrs+ to make 6 figures.

If the DHL deal is signed, UPS should be hiring by the end of this year.

 

[stratus72]

....seriously...what did you expect? You do understand the seniority system don't you? Do you think it doesn't apply to you because you moved on?

I have empathy...but did you ever try to reform YOUR union which created this silly system?

Don't paint me as the bad guy here....You want special consideration....Why?

RELAX! That's not what he asked. Get off your soap box.

 

[SiouxHockeyFan]

Uh, I dont think you understand the climate of the mainlines nowadays. Jumpseated on an Airways 737 the other day. Crew had a 7 leg day. 12 year cpt at my airline on a 175 makes MORE than a 12 year cpt on a 190 at Airways. With the way the industry has turned and continues to evolve. Unless FedEx grants me an interview, my regional is where I stay.

Yet the erj-190 pay is the worst pay at US Airways versus the erj-175 being your best pay. Compare your crj/erj pay rate to the erj-190 and your erj-175 to the A330. Compare best to best and worst to worst! How do the FO pay rates compare? Just remember you can always lose express flying overnight and be bumped back to an FO. Commuter Airlines are not exempt from cuts, just some thoughts!

Also ERJ-175 pay at RAH at 12 yrs=$87.00

ERJ-190 pay as US Airways at 12 yrs=$95.00
US Airways looks higher, plus a minimum day pay, trip and duty rigs!

If RAH makes you happy, awesome, but the pay isn't higher!

 

[brokeflyer]

going to work for a regional is exactly why the pay sucks. If you stop taking the jobs for such low pay then the pay will get better.

 

[spg2bmd]

Thanks for the info fellas. Looks like the next few years may be a little harder than the last few for most of us. All lamenting aside, looks like there are some really good contract opportunities in other countries on just about any type of modern ac you can think of. Perhaps that is an exit plan for this career we were all so eager to get into.
Adios.