Regional now or wait 4 years for major??

[QuietBirdMan]

I need some advice...I have a firm offer from CHQ at present. I also have an offer to go instruct for KLM in Holland. If I take the KLM gig, I have a guaranteed flow through to the long haul fleet (MD11/777/744/744F) in 4.5 years. We live in Holland and the wife is a cruise pilot for KLM. If I went ot CHQ id be commuting from AMS to LGA via JFK. This is the only way into KLM. Any advice?
Instruction pay is excellent, with full KLM benefits, travel, union reps, 6 weeks vacation etc etc. Equipment is BE58 with semi EFIS 3 axis A/P. Thoughts please!!!!

 

[AppBrookie]

Go for the Instructing Gig!!!!! You don't won't to commute accross the pond w/ CHQ schedule(very tough on the marriage). Plus you have a guarantee of making the "show" in four years under idea conditions: Great pay, benefits + living at home. No guarantee of making the "show" otherwise, under much less than idea conditions.

Good Luck

 

[Dav8tor]

Go for KLM, with the state of the airline right now...it might be more than 4 yrs to get in the majors who knows . If you have a guaranteed way...I would go for it + commute...sucks.

 

[Ty Webb]

What was the question? Was there a question? Geez, I read your whole post, and I never did quite see a question.

Seriously, I had a friend that had a similar dilemna- fly for a regional, or go teach systems at USAirways. He chose to go teach at UsAirways . . . but he had no type ratings, no turbine PIC time, so he is now looking at being out on the street after 6 years, with no flying job and still no turbine time . . . . now, in his case, I can see a question, but in yours . . . . . . . well, what was the question again?

 

[Big Duke Six]

Not to be rude...

But you're kidding right? I have a good friend at CHQ. Not a bad place, but it would cost you more (in food) to commute than you will make there. And there is definitely no guarantee that it will lead to anything in the future. I'm sure if you went there you would soon be wishing you had gone Dutch.

Go for KLM!! Best wishes!!

 

[Hawker rider]

I would definately go with the KLM gig, have you looked into regional airline pay? It's hard to just live of that, let alone even think about commuting.

I did hear that the 4/5 year flow through is at KLM's mood at that time, I do know of some people that were in the same shoes and were working in Eelde, and had to stay instructing. I would go for it, a it's a very good job to do, even without flow through. But it's still aviation, and things can change over the course of hours.....

 

[Cardinal]

Lufthart, all the way! Stay home, love your wife, and it doesn't look like the world's oldest airline is going to disappear anytime soon. Regional's can sometimes turn into decades long purgatory even for nice, qualified guys that deserve to move on. KLM.

 

[Neubyfly]

KLM

 

[Swaayze]

KLM.

But remember: There are no guarantees in the airline business!

 

[Gregory24]

What is the pay at KLM?

 

[Aplus9]

aahh, KLM.


Best of luck.