There are other jobs out there

[WrightAvia]

More than 1,000 posts. They may have all been posts about nothing, but not one single one of them was about me whining about my job.

I think the moral of this story is, find something you want to do in aviation and pursue it. If it turns out to be something you don't like later on, try something else. You have to make yourself happy...not everybody else.

 

[panampilot]

You can make 30K-40K your first year as a FLOATER at Airnet but that gets old after awhile also. Leave on Sunday-return sometime Friday tired as hell. Saturday will be your only true day off

That's not true. I have a friend right now based in Birmingham in the 310 that works 5 days a week, weekends off and is pulling over 30 grand. It is possible.

I am really happy with my decision to go the way I have and it just bewilders me that so many of these starry eyed pilots only see the airlines as a real job. Obviously once you get to the majors QOL and pay increase substantially but my point is there is more than one way to get into that seat. I'm just surprised that so many people think they have to be shat upon at the regionals in order to get to the majors.

 

[JJJ]

Panam pilot

Yes there is more than one way to the majors. But at this point in your career, why are you focusing only on 135? If you got a job offer from SkyWest, would you turn it down and hold out for a job flying a baron all night? Consider the fact that you, or me or anyone, may never make it to the majors. If you are a lifer at a regional, you will make pretty good money get good days off, have job security, and be better off than 95% of the population.

If I were you you, I'd keep all my options open.

 

[WrightAvia]

Originally posted by Checks

You can make 30K-40K your first year as a FLOATER at Airnet but that gets old after awhile also. Leave on Sunday-return sometime Friday tired as hell. Saturday will be your only true day off

Lots of freight companies have floaters. Our floaters can average every other week off.

Starting pay for all of our pilots is mid 30's, floater or not. We had no problem filling our last floater position with in house staff...lots of bids went in for that slot.

I'm home every night, barring being wx'd out. Weekends are mine and the company stays out of my hair, keeps the planes as close to 100% as possible. I never have any flying assigned to me outside of my run and don't have to wear a pager or cell phone. The feds are happy with how our operation is run. One of my rampchecks was as easy as just saying hi to the f.a.a. guy that walked up to the plane.

I'm staying put. Plus, we may be going 121 in the not to near distant future...so I can see some growth coming to us. I guess if I wind up making 65,000 a year flying an ATR-42 for a good stable company...it could have turned out worse.

 

[guitarflyer]

What's the big deal with flying for a major? A lot of folks seem to think that "ending up" at a regional is a bad thing.
Personally, I quite enjoy living where I like, flying great equipment, working with great people, having a decent schedule, & making good money doing something that I really enjoy. I have no intention to go to a major, take a pay cut, and go right back to the bottom of a seniority (furlough) list.

Indeed, the 1st year may be tough, but you plan and make adjustments, if it's what ya want.
I took a big cut when I left my freight gig to go to a regional, but I had planned it out, saved up some $$ and bit the bullet for the 1st year.

I consider the freight flying the best experience I could have ever gotten. The hours were rough, of course, and I'll NEVER miss loading & unloading of boxes of pee and bags of checks.

As for travel benefits... many 135 guys are being allowed back in the cockpits of 121 carriers. We just got an agreement with Airnet. Granted, they can't bring their whole family along, but it's a start.

 

[501261]

Airlines interest me as a way to help pay back my parents' loans to me for the immense funds draining out of my bank account. They can get free tickets.

In 2003 this corporate pilot has flown his parents businessfirst to Europe, his in-laws out to visit (economy of course), and taken 2 vacations with the wife to Europe and Asia (first class), and NOT PAID for airfare!

All those hotel rewards (especially Starwood) and credit card (especially Amex) points are a great deal! Most corporation let the employees keep the points that they earn, airlines don't!

What's the better deal, giving your parents a standby pass hoping they can squeeze into a flight or getting them confirmed first class seats?

Funny story, this March my wife and I were going to meet a buddy of mine who flies for Continental and his wife in Florida for some R&R. He's based in Newark. Anyway we (wife and I) use my points and have an uneventful flight down to Florida. Kevin and his wife show up two days LATE having finally BOUGHT tickets on Jet Blue. Apparently it was impossible to ride a pass down to Florida during that time .

 

[bssthound]

Looking at all these posts it's obvious that there are a lot of diverse people for all those diverse jobs. If you're happy where you are then what's the problem? I really enjoy ASA, pardon me while I take another swallow of Kool-Aid, and am happy to be here. I work with great people and am working three days a week, which leaves plenty of time for Air Force Reserve flying and time off with my wife and the World's Greatest Living Basset Hound (WGLBH).

 

[generaltso]

What's the big deal with flying for a major? A lot of folks seem to think that "ending up" at a regional is a bad thing.
Personally, I quite enjoy living where I like, flying great equipment, working with great people, having a decent schedule, & making good money doing something that I really enjoy. I have no intention to go to a major, take a pay cut, and go right back to the bottom of a seniority (furlough) list.

Anyone who says they don't want to go to a major/national is either a liar or an idiot.

When I hear this it is usually from people who are too old to consider the next upswing, therefore they say "oh I never want to go to a major" because they need to rationalize the fact that they are too old to have a shot at it.

But if you look at 2nd year pay at a national or major, it is on par with Captain pay at the regional level. Not to mention the work rules and QOL.

 

[avbug]

Anyone who says they don't want to go to a major/national is either a liar or an idiot.

Right back at ya.

 

[JJJ]

As for travel benefits... many 135 guys are being allowed back in the cockpits of 121 carriers.

In the cockpit, or jumpseat pass to ride in the cabin? With limited exceptions, 121 pilots can't even ride in the cockpit of other 121 carriers. The exceptions are usually mainline/regional combos.

 

[guitarflyer]

Generalisimo......

Definitely not a liar (eyes give me away every time),
and mostly just act like an idiot (according to the girlfriend),

but you're right.....I am too old for a shot at the majors.
Even though I upgraded relatively quickly, I still only have 20 years left to enjoy my 4th career.
So rather than go back to the bottom of a seniority list at an airline with a questionable future, I'll enjoy a great quality of life at the one I'm at where the future's so bright...I have to where shades.

And yes, I meant jumpseating agreements for the cabin.
Only mainline Delta, United, other Express & other Connection drivers can ride in our actuals.

 

[generaltso]

Generalisimo......
So rather than go back to the bottom of a seniority list at an airline with a questionable future

Your right, Southwest has a questionable future. And for that matter, so do AirTran and JetBlue.

If you've got 20 years left it's not too late.

 

[tinman]

Anyone who says they don't want to go to a major/national is either a liar or an idiot.

I disagree! I've spent a lot of time and money working my way up the ranks, being a CFI and flying small corp. jobs, and I have no urge at all to fly 121. It's great for people who want to do that, but I don't. My next big step is cargo, and I personally think it's the best way to learn the system (from what ex-dogs tell me). I am now working on my A&P, so hopefully some day I can incorporate that into my future job. Fix and fly, that's my gig.
Now some people do think I'm an idiot, in the same way that bald people think that because I shave a full head of hair to be bald, that I am an idiot. I say that because I live in Skywest's backyard, and having been here almost my whole life, I've made quite a few contacts. That's what it's all about in this business, contacts. And maybe they wouldn't help me, but that's o.k., I'll just go skydiving!

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

I currently fly 135/121. It is a decent job.

I am looking at a corporate job, a fractional, airlines, or staying 121 on-demand. They are all different, and they can all be good.

You shouldn't limit yourself to just a 121 air carrier, or corporate, or whatever. Look at all the possibilities and work towards a job you will want to stay at.

Also, get your 4 year degree! A lot of guys feel "stuck" at my airline because they missed jobs they really wanted for lack of a degree.

Cliff
GRB