What Would You Do ?

[CLARKGRSWOLD]

I am currently a 10 year Captain for a large regional. I just turned 31. My wife and I have been discussing options for the upcoming years. Is it worth leaving for a "legacy" ? What would you all do ? I am torn over staying or leaving

 

[Sedona16]

If you can get to a legacy in the next five years make the move!

 

[General Lee]

I am currently a 10 year Captain for a large regional. I just turned 31. My wife and I have been discussing options for the upcoming years. Is it worth leaving for a "legacy" ? What would you all do ? I am torn over staying or leaving

Getting on in the beginning of a "wave" can really be a windfall down the road. Everyone in your position wonders about flying reserve again, as an FO, taking a paycut, flying weekends, etc. Usually that won't last too long at a legacy. You have options, like going for a larger plane that may make you more money, staying in a narrowbody for a better schedule and QOL, etc. It is all about options---you have choices that can make a difference. You can get out of your comfort zone of knowing every frequency in the area, and actually have a challenge, maybe flying places you have never been to before, and seeing places you have only seen in magazines. And, the pay you made at the regional will be back usually within a few years, and then it usually goes up for the rest of your career (barring any BK procedings, etc). It is a gamble, but can be worth it definitely.

Again, the risks could be furlough, weekend flying for a few years, and lower pay for a couple years. Getting on in the beginning of a wave can help mitigate those somewhat. Retirements over the next 5-10 years will move you up the ladder really quick too.


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[chqflyer]

Make the move and don't look back. The worst day at a major is better than the best day at any regional. You have over thirty years left to ride out the waves.

 

[another cfii]

It's a tough one. During the last hiring at my airline couple years ago, we have all sorts of high time CA from regionals, and some from other majors that had a few years under their belts. We all traded our seniorities and gamble that in the long run it'll be worth it. To each it's own, i suppose. Majors were hiring all sorts of aviator with different background, and chances are you won't be the oldest guy in class if you get on a legacy in the next few years. (Our oldest newhire was in early 40's).

In no way I'm saying staying at a regional is a bad career move, but like most things in life, playing it safe may not maximize your return in the long run. Just think of it this way, would you rather risk it a little at age 30, or when you have your mid-life crisis at 40, and trying to make the same jump as you are right now?

I'm sure whatever you and your wife decide will be for the best of your family. Good luck! Let us know how you shake out when you retire!

 

[pilotyip]

Hiring boom is coming in 2011, get on the front and see what happens, you will know if you made the right move in 5 maybe 10 years. Remember all the guys who went to their career jobs at NJ, ABX, DAL, AAL, etc. Seniority at your present job may have some nice side effects.

 

[slapstick]

Do it. Life is better and easier in so many ways. Worth the temporary pay cut.

 

[bubbers44]

I had a good job with a corporation flying as a Captain on a Jetstar making good money. I was 35 when I quit and went to work for a west coast small airline flying 737's for 700 per month. The fourth month I got furloughed for eight months then came back at the same pay for another 8 months. Everyone thought I was nuts but I wanted to fly large aircraft full of people, not 10 execs to business meetings and golf courses in San Juan etc.

It was the best choice I have made in my life. I retired as a captain flying wide bodies international at MIA 25 years later. Ended up with a good retirement and bought in the Keys when it was cheaper. Getting ready to get in the boat tied to my dock and go enjoy an afternoon at my favorite Tiki bar watching my favorite band. Six years after retirement I have not regretted my decision once, not even when I got furloughed. Do it.

 

[Cardinal]

Make the move and don't look back. The worst day at a major is better than the best day at any regional. You have over thirty years left to ride out the waves.

Truth. On reserve at Frontier I had a better quality of life and made more money than as a top 2% lineholder at my regional.

 

[Bad-Andy]

I had a good job with a corporation flying as a Captain on a Jetstar making good money. I was 35 when I quit and went to work for a west coast small airline flying 737's for 700 per month. The fourth month I got furloughed for eight months then came back at the same pay for another 8 months. Everyone thought I was nuts but I wanted to fly large aircraft full of people, not 10 execs to business meetings and golf courses in San Juan etc.

It was the best choice I have made in my life. I retired as a captain flying wide bodies international at MIA 25 years later. Ended up with a good retirement and bought in the Keys when it was cheaper. Getting ready to get in the boat tied to my dock and go enjoy an afternoon at my favorite Tiki bar watching my favorite band. Six years after retirement I have not regretted my decision once, not even when I got furloughed. Do it.

Amen...

One word of caution, though -- be careful making a decision based on being at the beginning of a hiring boom. I was hired at the beginning of a "major hiring boom" (due to the wave of impending retirements). Three days into ground school (yes, literally 3 days) age 65 passed and the "boom" ended. Now I'm furloughed, waiting out the old geezers to start to retire (or the two pilot groups to rip each other apart...). Hopefully then the "boom" will come. So, don't count on anything...

That said, knowing what I know now, I still would have taken the job, furlough and all. And, I hope to go back to the job at some point. (Seeing the family every 2-3 months is starting to suck...).

 

[GogglesPisano]

The worst day at a legacy beats the best day at a regional -- or an ACMI carrier for that matter.

I was a few years older than you and still made the move without a second thought.

The cruelest words you could say to yourself when you hit 65 is, "If only I had made the move."

 

[pilotyip]

as opposed to

The cruelest words you could say to yourself when you hit 65 is, "If only I had made the move."

as opposed to the second cruelest words you could say to yourself when you hit 65 is, "If only I had not made that move"

 

[instructordude]

Go with a legacy and you won't be disapointed. You'll have more options of planes to fly and places to fly to. Remember, you can't fly a 777/747 at the regional level or have Paris overnights. Go with a legacy and don't look back.

 

[Full of LUV]

This is a Major forum.....

Go with a legacy and you won't be disapointed. You'll have more options of planes to fly and places to fly to. Remember, you can't fly a 777/747 at the regional level or have Paris overnights. Go with a legacy and don't look back.

This is the Major's forum, I think you'll have to post in the regional forum if you want advice from the Lifers...... They have made their decision and will justify it, Legacy pilots have made theirs, and although they bitch about everything, apparently don't regret the decision.

 

[IBNAV8R]

Depends on the regional. I talk to a LOT of my former colleagues. Most of these guys regret making the move - even after 15 years at the "legacy". I'm glad I stayed. Blame whomever or whatever you want but the fact remains that legacies aren't what they used to be - neither are regionals. If I do make the move, it will most likely be out of the airlines.

Age 31 leaves a lot of options and opportunities. Good luck.

 

[sstearns2]

I am currently a 10 year Captain for a large regional. I just turned 31. My wife and I have been discussing options for the upcoming years. Is it worth leaving for a "legacy" ? What would you all do ? I am torn over staying or leaving

I think you're in a great place. I'm in a similar situation to yours. Relax, nothings going to happen for a couple years. Take a couple cheap Hawaii/Caribbean trips with your wife, keep you nose clean and be ready when the old guys finally start peeling off.

Cheers,
Scott

 

[DrunkIrishman]

Why ask this question right now? Do you really need years to make this decision...cuz that's how long it will take for you to be able to act on it.

There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Each individual has to make his or her own decision. The way that it works out after that is out of our control...no matter how much we pilots like to control things in our lives.

 

[Sedona16]

Depends on the regional. I talk to a LOT of my former colleagues. Most of these guys regret making the move - even after 15 years at the "legacy". I'm glad I stayed. Blame whomever or whatever you want but the fact remains that legacies aren't what they used to be - neither are regionals. If I do make the move, it will most likely be out of the airlines.

Age 31 leaves a lot of options and opportunities. Good luck.

A little word of advice....when you hear regional guys chatting among themselves saying things like "So I ran into Joe the other day, he says he misses what he had here....sounded regretful he made the move." Take this with a grain of salt.

Many guys who went to a Major are decent enough to not come back strutting it around, bragging about the reality of how much better working for a Major is. This would be being a Jack Ass. Heck many times I find myself, when asked from a friend who still works at a regional what the majors are like, saying "you guys got a good thing going there....your schedules and seniority....you are in a good position....who knows with the way things are going in a couple years I might be out of a job." I think you get the idea....its nice to not rub in the fact you moved on to greener pastures. So again these stories of guys regretting moving on get overblown and oft times are not 100% accurate. Food for thought.

 

[STL717]

If you can tell me what the economy will do for the next few years I can tell you what to do.

Congress is attempting to pass bills that will affect all of us and the airlines we work for. The healthcare and carbon tax bills will cost families and the economy dearly. I don’t expect much hiring until airlines determine the effect of new taxes congress is creating and how those taxes will affect the economy.

If the economy is headed for an extended recession or depression you need to stay where you are. Your seniority could protect you from being furloughed.

If we are recovering from the current recession and the economy will continue to recover than its time to get that better job. You will be the first of many hired during the economic expansion and when the next recession arrives years down the road you could have enough seniority to protect you from furlough.

If you are hired at the end of an economic expansion you are junior enough to be furloughed.

If you are hired at the beginning of an economic expansion you should have enough seniority to prevent you from being furloughed during the next recession.

 

[texman]

I am currently a 10 year Captain for a large regional. I just turned 31. My wife and I have been discussing options for the upcoming years. Is it worth leaving for a "legacy" ? What would you all do ? I am torn over staying or leaving

Do it man, was in the same shoes, family good money, at 29 but working for a fractional. you will have 30 yrs.

 

[Hamburger]

The real question is what do you want from the rest of your life. If you're #1 on the list living the good life in SAN, Commuting to sit reserve in EWR for Continental is going to make you miserable, and you might want to stay at Skywest. If you're DAY based for PSA and the wife is a die hard Buckeye, then moving to CLE for Continental is a piece of cake.

If you're both flexible, then you are in a great spot.

You'll get your 10 year Regional Captain Pay back by year 3 FO at any Major worth going to and it only goes up from there. From a Pure Earnings standpoint, it's a no-brainer.

From a gambling standpoint, it's really a wash. Guys at TWA thought they were locked in when they were hired. Guys at Independence thought they were making the safe choice.

Life is MUCH BETTER across the board. I used to see a minimum of five DMI stickers on my Aircraft. Every flight, every day. I haven't seen more than two in years. The little things.......Jetways, Crew Meals, there's actually separate Shampoo AND Conditioner (not Conditioning Shampoo) at the hotel.........It's hard to believe it's actually the same job. Sedona is spot on with what gets said to the guys we used to work with. Nobody wants to be an ass, and everyone's situation is different.

I'd start NOW! When the next Wave starts, you want to be the guy whose already been updating his file for a couple of years. Get your logbook in order and get your stuff out there to whomever will currently accept it.

Also, I'd highly recommend that you move to wherever you end up being based. There was a time when load factors and aircraft size made commuting feasible. That time is over.

Good Luck!

 

[General Lee]

I think you're in a great place. I'm in a similar situation to yours. Relax, nothings going to happen for a couple years. Take a couple cheap Hawaii/Caribbean trips with your wife, keep you nose clean and be ready when the old guys finally start peeling off.

Cheers,
Scott

If you stay at a regional, you will have to keep going on those CHEAP cruises or trips, even in your 50s. Don't you want to be able to afford something nicer? When you fly INTL trips at a Legacy, a lot of those trips are like a mini-vacation--I have had 72 hour layovers in Munich for example. I took a train to Salzburg one of the days, and drank lots of pilsners the rest. It was all on DL's dime. You don't have that option at the regionals. Legacies give you variety----fly the heavy iron and see new places, or fly domestic and be home more. We even have day turns---for those that want to be home every night. (fairly senior though)

And another thing, do you have a family? Do you want to provide more for them? Sure, a furlough wouldn't help, and neither would flying every weekend for a few years, but overall it will help out when you need to pay for college etc... (unless you are a RICH Regional pilot like USCTrojan---aka "Donald Chump....")


Bye Bye--General Lee

 

[CRJFlyer]

If life is so great why do you have 13000+posts..wholly sh.it dude....Spend some of that $$$ and go outside....

 

[PHXFLYR]

How about staying at the regional, using that as an economic foundation, and starting your own side-business in some other industry ? This way you hang on to your quality of life ,don't have to take that initial pay cut and have an alternate source of income , not to mention a job; should your flying career tank ....Sort of like spreading the risk by expanding your options.


PHXFLYR

 

[AnimalTale]

I am currently a 10 year Captain for a large regional. I just turned 31. My wife and I have been discussing options for the upcoming years. Is it worth leaving for a "legacy" ? What would you all do ? I am torn over staying or leaving

You should know the answer yourself. You probably didnt want to become an airline pilot to fly regional airliners around (no disrespect, I did it too). Your GOAL was probably to become a DC10 or 777 Captain.

Are u a good decision maker? or do you have people decide for you? DO you want to climb a ladder or do you want to be stagnant? It is all in your head and your personality. I say take the plunge, but have a back up.

I know a long time ago when I took the leap to a legacy (furloughed 2 years later) part of the interview panel and testing pinpointed assertiveness, aim and decision making. BE ASSERTIVE, make your choice and NEVER EVER look back. You are still young. You will still have more than 30 years or more at the legacies..

Good Luck,

CYA

 

[contrail67]

I am currently a 10 year Captain for a large regional. I just turned 31. My wife and I have been discussing options for the upcoming years. Is it worth leaving for a "legacy" ? What would you all do ? I am torn over staying or leaving

First of all if you are even considering it....APPLY! to those airlines. Let them decide if they will interview you...alot of folks just talk themselves out of the job and do not even fill out the app. I was told once that it is going to be worth it if you have more years ahead of you than behind you at the regional...and in your case you have more ahead of you. I was at a very good regional and I would take reserve FO A320 anyday over line holder as a jet captain at the regional I left. It is a better job at mainline.
It is better to have disappointment than regret.

Good luck and keep your slate clean.

 

[GuppyWN]

Not only is the "wave" coming but the Age 65 dudes will compound that in December 2012 and start to retire enmasse.

Git 'er done and enjoy the ride. I can promise there will be bumps and frustration but after 18 years of chasing dreams I'm glad I did it.

Gup

 

[Pocono Pilot]

I had the chance to go to a legacy,.... CAL...I know, gag me... and I decided to stay at the regional because they were such a crappy airline.

I would never leave a good regional for a crappy legacy like CAL.

 

[Beefy Botham]

I left a large regional carrier after nine years. I'm now flying a widebody and although I'm very junior the difference in every aspect is immense. Go for it, you'll be glad you did.

 

[say again]

I had the chance to go to a legacy,.... CAL...I know, gag me... and I decided to stay at the regional because they were such a crappy airline.

I would never leave a good regional for a crappy legacy like CAL.

She had the chance, until she blew the interview!!! Now she is stuck where she is, and bitter over it. hahahahaha Sucka.