The regionals are sucking the life out of me! Help

[bigbird]

I cant take it anymore. The regional 121 lifestyle is killing me. I seriously think this job is aging me. I hate it so bad I want to get out of flying. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Should I pursue the corporate world of flying? Give me some insights please. Is life better on the other side?

 

[Av8ing]

Only if you get in with a good company. I have numerous gray hairs from the way I'm treated over here at my corporation. Airlines are a mess, so I'm stuck for a while.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

What are you doing to make the place better? Pilots prior to you worked to make your current employer at least good enough for you to decide to work there... Won't you do the same for the guys that want to work there after you're gone?

Now... your expectations are not being met.... why is that? Has your company radically changed since you started working there? objectively evaluate your expectations.... How can you spend the time and money to become a 121 pilot and so quickly hate it?

I offer the classic......

Since my days as a non-fancy lad are coming to an end, the time has come to address the new-hire classes of 1999. You'll have to play that creepy top-40 tune in your head as you read this, this version is called....

PACK VASELINE


Pack Vaseline in your flight kit. This is the only concrete advice I can give you. Studies have proven that packing Vaseline in your flight kit will ease the pain as any one of Hulas' monkey soldiers slides you the dry, sand-coated salami up where the sun don't shine while you're bent over some technicality or black-and-white self-serving interpretation of the rules while they whip you upside the head with their despicable yet unique lack of ethical behavior. Pack Vaseline, my friends.

The rest of my advice is simply the ramblings of another burned-out idiot Captain based on over three years of survival in the Aviation version of Shawshank.

Remember grandpa's rules for self defense: Deny, deny, deny, and make counter-accusations. Example: "I turned in that Irregularity Report on time, I did just what you said and slid it under the door after hours, I never break the rules, maybe YOUR staff lost the report!"

Always be polite. When you yell or get angry you just look like a jackass. It makes the rest of us look like idiots. Shouting and pissing contests are for the weak. Be passive-aggressive. Accept the reroute cheerfully on the in-range call then [very diplomatically] call in fatigued when you get in. Eventually they will get the point and stop messing with you. Think before you speak.

Make an effort to enjoy the flying. You are working at a commuter airline. Enjoy the VFR patters, circling, and non-towered operations. It may be the last time you experience these things in your career.

Stop whining. Your spouse doesn't like it, your parents don't like it, the F/O HATES it, and the Captain can barely tolerate your chicken-******************** rambling about low-pay and bad schedules. They don't ask garbage men during their interviews if they mind getting their hands dirty, they didn't ask you if you minded working at a commuter because that's where you just applied. Redirect your negative energy into something useful like volunteering for an ALPA position and fighting for change.

Maybe you'll pass training
Maybe you won't
Maybe you'll bust upgrade,
Maybe you won't
Maybe you'll be fired out of SVT,
Maybe you won't

But you will be expected to do a good job flying the line by other pilots.
And at some point management will accuse you of being part of a broad, far-reaching conspiracy-because they are bitter old losers. And the next telephone call could be USAirways calling to recruit you despite your on-the-job performance.

Don't be too proud to be flying your aircraft. Most of the passengers think that ATRs are the smallest thing they've ever been on. A Jetstream is bigger than a 152 or a Baron but remember folks it is just a Jetstream. Instead, wow yourself with being a really good First Officer. Fly your best whenever you can. Then you'll find upgrade isn't so bad after all.

Listen carefully to everything the old farts have to say. They may be eccentric, eclectic, or downright offensive -- but after you work for Hulas for 10 years you will be too. 10 years without getting fired or fed-up is pretty damn impressive. These guys will show you how to survive and have fun. But -
If they are overly negative don't be afraid to ask them to quit their job and get out of your seat.

Fill out the paperwork, it may save your ass someday. If you've been here more than 18 months and you haven't filled out an Irregularity form, Hotel Incident Report, Trip Report (at least six), or filed a Grievance then you just aren't with us, are you?

If you are single, date as many people as you can- taking advantage of your mobility. This will enrich your life beyond your wildest expectations. If you are married or steady with someone then don't cheat. This will destroy your life and add more stress than you can imagine.

Maybe you'll be fun to fly with
Maybe you won't
Maybe you'll marry a pilot and have kids
Maybe you won't
Maybe you'll overcome your gender-biased attitudes
I seriously doubt that
Maybe you will be able to control the frustration
Maybe you won't

But one thing's for certain - I hope to see all of you someday in the show.
The past three years were the best and the worst I could ask for.
And you all
should pack
Vaseline.
Good-bye and good luck!

-Austin Hondo

 

[Floyd94]

Is life better on the other side?

YES....

 

[willNOTfly4free]

If you hate the airlines so much, get out. Life's to short to endure a career you hate so much. I personally enjoy my corporate flying job, and will quite possibly retire from a job flying a corporate jet.

Remember it's just a J.O.B. (Just Over Broke), not a lifestyle, religion, or marriage. Do what's best for YOU MAN!!!

 

[CA1900]

I hate it so bad I want to get out of flying. Is there light at the end of the tunnel?

For what it's worth, that's just what I found at NetJets. I look forward to coming to work, which is a nice feeling.

Some days it's hard work; some days (like today) it's very easy. But the variety keeps it interesting, and 18 hours in Cabo last month sure beat the 90th Buffalo overnight in a row at my last job!

It may or may not be what you're looking for, but it's worth checking out. Browse the Fractional Forum if you haven't already.

 

[rumrnr78]

I cant take it anymore. The regional 121 lifestyle is killing me. I seriously think this job is aging me. I hate it so bad I want to get out of flying. Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Should I pursue the corporate world of flying? Give me some insights please. Is life better on the other side?

As other have said, it depends on what you want. I work for a great company, good time off, trips that feel like mini-vacations (for the most part) and fly well maintained aircraft. Get your resume out there and make connections. A good corporate job will not land in your lap, you will have to fight to find it and get the job!! It is possible; if I slipped through the cracks and landed a great gig so can you. Cheers- Rum

PS- never hang up the resume though!

 

[ILOVEBEER]

I left SkyWest in 2006 because I too wanted to kill myself (not literaly but you know what I mean). I took a management job outside of the aviation industry and after nearly a year, I needed to get back into flying. I was VERY lucky and landed a sweet 91 job which I hope never goes away.

Personally, I would only fly charter/airlines again if it was the only job left to pay the bills. It's such a nice change to fly with the same people all the time and not a bunch of low timers who are always trying to kill you.

Leaving SkyWest after 6 years was the hardest decision I have ever made in my professional career and to be honest, I thought I would miss it.

I don't. Not even a little.

 

[LegacyDriver]

I...[get]...trips that feel like mini-vacations (for the most part) ...

CRJCA!!!! Come quick!!!! We need to do an intervention!!!!

Rum....listen to me carefully. Put down the blue koolaid....and *back* away from it.

 

[maximizer]

i have been a P91 pilot for 25 years and it has been great. I could not imagine a lifestyle as a regional airplane driver ("not that there is anything wrong with that"- jerry seinfeld). It is always easier to find a job when you have a job. So start looking.