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Don't take this wrong all you UsAir and AWA folks, but to the newcomer...why? The pay is terrible, upgrades pretty darn long, and Parker will just keep merging airlines, thus keeping a pilot contract way, WAY off on the horizon. He loves the infighting. He has a weasel and a cobra fighting in the tank and is about to throw in another animal. You might as well go to a "good" regional.
According to Parker/Kirby, Day one after the merger all pilots will be on the AMR payscale. Upgrades should be some of the quickest in the industry with retirements. Have you looked at massive amount of aircraft on order at AA/US? This will be the last notable airline merger for quite sometime possibly our careers. It all actually represents an incredible opportunity for those fortunate enough to get on at the beginning of this retirement bubble.
What exactly is a good regional? Regionals are too dependent upon contracts from their major counterparts. If your "good" regional loses a contract you hit the street. At least, that is one problem you wont have at the major level.
Don't take this wrong all you UsAir and AWA folks, but to the newcomer...why? The pay is terrible, upgrades pretty darn long, and Parker will just keep merging airlines, thus keeping a pilot contract way, WAY off on the horizon. He loves the infighting. He has a weasel and a cobra fighting in the tank and is about to throw in another animal. You might as well go to a "good" regional.
This is one of the worst pieces of advice I have ever read. There is no such thing as a "good" regional. I remember when Comair was considered good. There are only those who haven't went through the whipping cycle yet. The worst major will ALWAYS be better than the worst regional in the long run. Once you get to one you'll understand..
Everyone's situation is unique. But facts are facts. Good regionals have come and gone. US has stuck around. It hasn't been a great place to work for some, especially late-90's hires, but it has hung on and is in position to be a GREAT place to work.
Regionals work for some, but for the most part, all of the reasons I heard NOT to go from a regional to US have turned out to be falsehoods.
The old saying, the worst day at a major is better than the best day at a regional, has held true for me. But like I said, everyone's situation is different. I myself was so tire of 4-day trips and 95 hour lines, so my live-in-base reserve life, flying about 20-30 hours a month with very few overnights is a welcome respite!
To each his own, but my personal advice is to save your money while at a regional so you can afford to make the jump. Apply, interview, then decide yes or no once you have the offer. Until then, it's not up to you!
Due to the vicissitudes of the industry, today's scorned upon position is often tomorrow's sweet spot, and vice versa. Study a little history and draw your own conclusions.
Don't take this wrong all you UsAir and AWA folks, but to the newcomer...why? The pay is terrible, upgrades pretty darn long, and Parker will just keep merging airlines, thus keeping a pilot contract way, WAY off on the horizon. He loves the infighting. He has a weasel and a cobra fighting in the tank and is about to throw in another animal. You might as well go to a "good" regional.