Regional or keep plodding along...
09-24-2016, 02:23 PM
#1
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Regional or keep plodding along...
I currently work as an FO, pt 91 light jet, and have been too long. We'll be lucky to fly 100 hours in a year. There's no room for career/financial/personal growth. I've sent in apps at other 91/135 outfits but the ones that seem to respond have extremely low pay, expect the 24/7 on call status, etc. (low QOL). I have 2100 total with about 250 TPIC but it won't amount to much in the years ahead here.
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
09-24-2016, 03:17 PM
#2
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Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Admiral
Posts: 726
You'll be able to quickly build valuable time on the regional side as compared to part 91. Depending on where you go, upgrade could also be quick, leading to that coveted turbine PIC time. This would also make you more marketable on the 91 side should you decide that's what you'd rather be doing. It seems that most 121 LCC's also want to see 121 time.
09-24-2016, 04:26 PM
#3
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Joined APC: Dec 2015
Posts: 634
Originally Posted by MinionPilot
I currently work as an FO, pt 91 light jet, and have been too long. We'll be lucky to fly 100 hours in a year. There's no room for career/financial/personal growth. I've sent in apps at other 91/135 outfits but the ones that seem to respond have extremely low pay, expect the 24/7 on call status, etc. (low QOL). I have 2100 total with about 250 TPIC but it won't amount to much in the years ahead here.
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
09-25-2016, 01:20 AM
#4
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Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Originally Posted by MinionPilot
I currently work as an FO, pt 91 light jet, and have been too long. We'll be lucky to fly 100 hours in a year. There's no room for career/financial/personal growth. I've sent in apps at other 91/135 outfits but the ones that seem to respond have extremely low pay, expect the 24/7 on call status, etc. (low QOL). I have 2100 total with about 250 TPIC but it won't amount to much in the years ahead here.
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
What do you stand to gain by staying at your current employer contrasted by if you went to a regional?
I just made that same decision and left a $60,000/yr difference on the table.
09-25-2016, 09:26 AM
#5
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Position: DA-10, the right one
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I appreciate the replies. True I don't stand to gain anything by sticking around where I'm at. Are the upgrade hire dates fairly accurate on the airline profiles? I'm in the Chicago area but wouldn't have a problem moving as I'd rather not waste my time commuting (and potential cheaper cost of living).
09-25-2016, 11:39 AM
#6
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Joined APC: Oct 2015
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Posts: 2,898
Originally Posted by MinionPilot
I appreciate the replies. True I don't stand to gain anything by sticking around where I'm at. Are the upgrade hire dates fairly accurate on the airline profiles? I'm in the Chicago area but wouldn't have a problem moving as I'd rather not waste my time commuting (and potential cheaper cost of living).
Expressjet
TSA
Gojet
Republic
Skywest.
09-25-2016, 01:43 PM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2015
Posts: 327
Originally Posted by MinionPilot
I currently work as an FO, pt 91 light jet, and have been too long. We'll be lucky to fly 100 hours in a year. There's no room for career/financial/personal growth. I've sent in apps at other 91/135 outfits but the ones that seem to respond have extremely low pay, expect the 24/7 on call status, etc. (low QOL). I have 2100 total with about 250 TPIC but it won't amount to much in the years ahead here.
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
09-25-2016, 05:45 PM
#8
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Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: DA-10, the right one
Posts: 4
Originally Posted by Otterbox
Envoy has a Chicago base... as do:
Expressjet
TSA
Gojet
Republic
Skywest.
Expressjet
TSA
Gojet
Republic
Skywest.
09-25-2016, 08:55 PM
#9
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Joined APC: Oct 2015
Position: Gear slinger
Posts: 2,898
Originally Posted by MinionPilot
Yeah I've been doing a little research on domiciles that are local but I'd rather find a place that I'd be semi-happy at rather than applying just to be local.
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