Should pilots plan on a regional career?

[Scapegoat]

I was asked this question today and I thought I would put it to the masses or experts!!

A friend of mine who is getting into this crazy business asked if he should plan a career at a large regional (i.e. Comair / Skywest). I think that the other side would be to try and find a quick 121 upgrade and then hope for a Southwest or Jetblue, etc; in about 5 years or so?

Food for thought.......Get me your ideas!

 

[Skaff]

I was asked this question today and I thought I would put it to the masses or experts!!

A friend of mine who is getting into this crazy business asked if he should plan a career at a large regional (i.e. Comair / Skywest). I think that the other side would be to try and find a quick 121 upgrade and then hope for a Southwest or Jetblue, etc; in about 5 years or so?

Food for thought.......Get me your ideas!

Why doesn't your friend go to Skywest, get a quick upgrade, then hope for the best. I say do all of the above.

Skaff

 

[hmmurdock]

Greetings..



It depends, in my opinion, on how old your friend is. This could help determine how old they will be by the time they get the experience needed to advance to a better paying carrier. They can plan on being at a regional for at least 5 years or so and possibly longer. And dont forget they will need to be satisfied on FO pay for a good 3 to 5 years at least. I personnally dont recommend this industry to anyone right now. It is too shakey.

Take care

 

[Flechas]

This industry changes everyday, so I think the best thing to do is to have a goal and an open mind to take whatever comes your way, things may turn around and we all will fly for a legacy carrier, or we may be lifers in a regional.
If God gives you limes, put 'em in your drink, I mean make lemonade

 

[jtf]

I think he should plan for the possibility that flying for a "regional" may be the highest that many pilots will be able to achieve due to the current race to the bottom in the industry. As long as the "regionals" keep growing and flying bigger and bigger equipment and as long as they will continually undercut one another at every opportunity, what incentives are there for the legacy carriers to do anything but downsize themselves while contracting out as much as possible. The LLCs are already becoming the holy grail for pilots who want to move up. I hope we are at the bottom of the cycle, but I doubt it will ever be like it was. If you are truly interested in the profession, then you better be sure you will be OK with the distinct possibility that after all the hard work and money it will cost you to get the experience and ratings, you may just cap out your career at a regional even if you start fairly young.

 

[Palmtree Pilot]

Why doesn't your friend go to Skywest, get a quick upgrade, then hope for the best. I say do all of the above.

Skaff

How long are upgrades at SKW now on both types?

PtP

 

[av8tor4239]

One million years

 

[bobbyice]

One million years

If you kiss alot of a$$...

 

[Rogue5]

Currently:

EMB less that two years.
CRJ just under 2.5 years.

Past performance is no indicator of future returns...

 

[blzr]

I thought there was a Pilot Shortage out there..

 

[BizPilot]

http://www.pilotswanted.com

 

[Flechas]

There is a pilot shortage, we are short on money and jobs!

 

[blzr]

Has anyone heard of the new Pilots union?

BAPAA? We were discussing them the other day at the hangar. Can't find much info on them though.

Broke @ss Pilots Association of America. 800,000 members strong and growing daily.