Sweet Home Alabama?????

[jaarrgh]

My family and I may have the opportunity to relocate from the UK to Montgomery, Alabama in the next year or so. I currently fly a Dash 8 for a large UK regional operator but will be on the Embraer 145 by the time we would move. My questions are twofold. Firstly is life in the South an appealing prospect for most? Secondly can you commute for an operator based in Atlanta, Georgia if not then is there much going on for a pilot in Alabama (I'll take what I can get)!? I am actually very excited about the prospect and it should be quite a laugh, but I have oh so many questions. Any help or advice you have for a travelling Brit then please go ahead.......

 

[Tram]

Depends on where in the Gump you move..

Some of it is nice, some of it is eh.. not so nice.. My sister just moved out of the Gump..

The commute to Atlanta is not a bad one if your willing to drive 1.5-2 hours..

I love life in the south, I can't see anywhere I'd rather live more, but I've lived here all my life..

 

[shamrock]

Firstly is life in the South an appealing prospect for most?

Having relocated from Connecticut to Atlanta several years ago I can recommend the South, if not Atlanta specifically. At this point I have a hard time seeing myself moving back to the Northeast.

I like the fact that I can be out playing golf or riding my bike in January while my family is digging themselves out from under a foot of snow in New England. Summers can definitely be steamy, but you get used to it. If you like water he Gulf Coast is great (except for the hurricanes) and the Carolina/Georgia coastline ranks right up there too. If mountains are more your thing the Appalachians give you a lot to work with there as well.

Don't get me wrong, I love New England from April through October (and even miss the snow on occasion) but overall the South is hard to beat.

Just don't live in Atlanta.

 

[MD11Drvr]

I live an hour south of MGM. I love this area that I am in. I am not sure I would live in MGM but rather find an area out side of MGM. Euphalla(sp), Titus,Prattville or the Troy area Luverne,Pine Level etc. MGM is a litlle too big city for me personally as its kinda like Beirut in some areas and I moved from Jacksonville, Fl too leave that behind. We are not all uneducated or racists as some would have you believe. The small town I live in is a throwback to some of the best things about growing up 40 years ago. Our small heating oil company even has "Honest John" pumps 24/7 you write the Diesel you get whether its on or off road diesel. Alot of unlocked vehicles and houses still as folks feel safe, but on the other hand it could have something to do with the fact the criminal element around here is well aware of the fact we shoot back and we hit what we aim at. I am extremely happy with the life but lookm hard at the schools if you havre children. We were fortunate as the little grade school and High School are the gems of the county. The other schools are not fit for man or beast. Good luck with the move......................

 

[Tram]

Yeh, you don't wanna live in INNER Montgomery.. Beirut is a good analogy for it.

 

[retired guy]

I grew up in Montgomery, but have lived in North Atlanta for the past 35 years. I drive back to MGM two or three times a year. Anyone that thinks that you can make the trip in 1.5 hours is dreaming. It`s a 3 hour trip at 70mph from north ATL. Try driving it at 90mph and you`ll be listening to a big old cop, in mirror front sun glasses as he says "Boy, you are in a heap of trouble". Listen to MD11Drvr`s advice about living in a small town outside of MGM...real good advice.

 

[mar]

A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court?

My family and I may have the opportunity to relocate from the UK to Montgomery, Alabama in the next year or so........

Oh, this is gonna be good. *Please* promise to keep us updated!

"Y'all tawk real funny. Where're y'all from anyway?"

 

[Pantherjon]

From what I have observed(just a passing thru type) Prattville would probly be the best choice..And what retired guy said about going to Atlanta is pretty spot on, cept it would probly take you 3 hours just to get out of the Atlanta quagmire<sp?> traffic that is present on almost ALL the interstates in the metro area..And you better have your speed up about 80mph(when the traffic IS moving) on I285(even tho posted speed limit is 55mph) or you WILL be run over!

 

[slacker]

Auburn is a great town 45min east of MGM. It's also only about 90min from ATL. Good public schools for the kids and a ton of new development. Still retains some small town charm. Oh, and if you like football (American), Auburn is a great place to be in the fall. Tons of young coeds that make the scenery so nice.

War D*mn Eagle!

 

[Brett Hull]

Are you an uber conservitive who never misses church on Sunday and Wednesday, are obsessed with "stock" cars driving around in endless left-hand circles, and your idea of heaven is a night race in Talladega after an afternoon snoozeball...I mean football game?

If so, the south's for you. If not, think long and hard.....

(donning flame-retardant suit in my house about 70 north of MGM)

 

[User546]

Why have you chosen Montgomery, Alabama already? Do you have family or some type of interest there?

 

[jaarrgh]

Well, some speedy responses! errmmmm not to sure about the shooting bit, (here we just give burglars a really nasty look). As to why Montgomery; it's because of a possible employment opportunity for my wife (who appreciated the co-ed highlight) in the area. However it sounds a better bet to be out of town... maybe away from a stock car circuit..... Auburn sounds good (co-eds aside) and opens up Atlanta airport for flying jobs. So then, without wishing to start a salary debate.... or a gun fight..... or bring God into it, I noticed that regional jet FO salaries are a little low, have I misread (American Eagle 19$us/hr)? Would I be better off trying for netjets or a corporate outfit? We are still excited and now also very amused so any further suggestions......

 

[Tram]

Misread... nope..

 

[Gulfstream 200]

A brit moving to Alabama...

this should be good!

Montgomery...Mayfair...same thing.



holy sweet jesus are you in for a culture shock.

Do you like Nascar, F150s, and Walmart?

 

[User546]

...I noticed that regional jet FO salaries are a little low, have I misread (American Eagle 19$us/hr)?

Even the Brits are poking fun at how terrible our aviation payscales are.

YES, you read that correctly. Think hard about that before you make the big leap across the pond!

 

[coloneldan]

I grew up in the Southeast US, and I agree with most of the posts here. There are more things to do than watch races or football games and shoot at burglers. Though, sometimes you might think not. There is quite a bit of culture there. You may have to go to Montgomery, Birmingham, Atlanta, etc... to find some of it. There is quite a bit of rural area in the Southeast, that is something you might not be used to. Small town life can be really nice. The people are generally friendly, but the sense of humor is different that of you Brits. You might want to try renting "Blue Collar Comedy Tour the Movie." It is 4 guys doing standup comedy. Just please realize, they are making fun of a small part our population.

As for the job prospects, I don't THINK, there is much corporate aviation in Montgomery. The fractionals might be your best bet, at least until you learn the area. Also, be advised, the pay scale for pilots in the SE is just about the lowest in the country. I'm currently living in Texas ONLY because the pay is better.

Oh, one more thing. We drink our beer cold here.

Best of luck.

 

[Lostdog65]

Having lived in the UK before...someone beat me to this...

holy sweet jesus are you in for a culture shock.

You're gonna stand out like a sore thumb. Hope you have a thick skin cause you're gonna meet a bunch of unintentional racism not because you're different but because you are!

Good luck...

Eric
(Maidenhead, 1975-76)

 

[dskflyr]

Moving to MGM

You'll do fine. Especially if your wife's job oppurtunity will fund your new Bass Boat and pickup. You'll also need a dog box and gun rack.
In reality, most people in the south are pleasant and "salt of the earth types". I've heard a lot of good things about Prattville. Just check out the schools before you choose. The one time I couldn't control where I lived (US Air Force did that) It cost me $600/ month for private school and I got off lucky. Hey, but that was Ohio!
good weather, good golf, good food. cheaper cost of living.

 

[sky37d]

There is a really good article, by Hal Stoen, about moving to the south. Mr. Stoen was a corporate pilot in the upper midwest for a very long time, and elected to move to the south.

Like much of his writings, this is a good read.
http://stoenworks.com/Southern%20Nights.html

 

[Huck]

I grew up in Birmingham, was graduated from Auburn University and currently live about 90 miles south of Montgomery.

I would definitely shoot for Auburn. Very nice college town. Not too far from Atlanta.

As for the redneck image - well, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival is in Montgomery: http://www.asf.net/index.aspx. Y'all don't let the facts get in the way, now.

Now Mobile - THAT is a redneck city....

 

[psysicx]

Any places that you could live on a lake?

 

[jaarrgh]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I would be happy to go there if people are like the respondants.
I will have about 2800 total time, 500 embraer 145 fo and 600 dash fo (with type ratings). I wont have the turbine command time but have plenty of instructing time. So who would be interested in me? Is it the regionals, or corporate, or anything really, I just dont think I can cope with regional year 1 salaries ($us1700/month? What is the pay after taxes?). But, I suppose, we are all in the same boat and you do what you have to do! Thanks again folks!

 

[av8rbama]

Culture shock, yes. The British accent will be a novelty for many people down here, but shouldn't be taken as derogatory. Prattville or Wetumpka would probably be my first choice if moving to Montgomery. My best friend grew up in Montgomery and I don't mind relaying any specific questions regarding schools or housing to him.

As previously mentioned, the Shakespeare Festival is in Montgomery... culture does exist outside of Alabama-Auburn football, deer hunting, and Nascar. There are a couple of glider clubs within about an hour's drive north of Montgomery so you can get an aviation fix away from work.

When asked "Alabama or Auburn" just reply "Alabama, 12 National Championships baby" and watch the jaws drop... you're not expected to know anything about it. Like I said, you'll be a novelty but let us be a novelty for you as well. We're generally fun-loving folks.

I grew up in Birmingham (Alabama not England) and seriously doubt we'll ever move out of the South.

Be prepared to not buy beer or liquor or wine on Sunday (even in restaurants), it depends on the county where you live. There are still a couple of dry counties around here.

You will likely get strange looks if you go into a restaurant and ask for bangers and mash.

 

[av8rbama]

Any places that you could live on a lake?

You'd have to find a job doing something besides driving a plane.