noob

Hi everyone, im very new to the flying thing and wanted to know a bit about the regional and major airlines. Is there that big of a difference between the two? Would I be happy flying for a regional airline for the rest of my life or is it that much better being in a major airline company? what are the differences in pay, hours worked, and work scheduling? any information would be great! thanks for your posts.

HercDriver130

oh dear lord.......let the education begin......

Senior Skipper

Have a look here:

Jetcareers.com - A Day in the Life (Major)

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Pontius Pilot

I'll try and be helpful here...

Only you will be able to tell if you'll be happy flying for a regional for the rest of your life. When you get there, let us know. Most people use the regionals as a stepping stone to the majors. Regionals traditionally have lower pay, shorter overnights and other not so great things. Look at the page that shows you the payscales and you'll see what I'm talking about. After 4 years at American Eagle you'll be making $37 an hour on a jet. 4 years with American and you're looking at $92, $108 after 4 years with Southwest. So you can see the pay is miles apart.

I know a lot of people who have made regionals their life. More by circumstance than choice. In the end what will matter is 1. Do you enjoy what you're doing? 2. Are there bases where you want to live 3. Is the money you're making good enough for you? 4. Is the working environment good? Other than that, the only one who can answer your question well enough will be you once you get there!!

Good luck to you.

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"There's.....Something on the wing. Some...... Thing!."

BoredwLife

I've been furloughed for a month now and I'm not bored enough yet to explain this one. Sorry.

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I really must start watching more radio.

Joachim

...but you did.

bryris

Just go to a major when the time is right. I have no intention of staying at a regional. I understand the forces that cause one to get stuck, but if you decide you won't and plan for the changes, you'll be fine.

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Thedude

Let me put it this way. Flying for the commuters suck but it is good experience.

rickair7777

Intentionally planning on a regional career is not a good idea for most folks. You need to go in with the intention of getting a major job. The real question you need to ask yourself: If you DON'T get a major job will you be willing to live with the consequences...

a) Stay at the regional, with low pay and lower stability.
b) Career change in your thirties.

A regional career might be suitable for a some people...

- Bohemian fun hogs who have NO intention of ever getting married or having kids. Most of these folks do too many drugs to qualify for 121.
- Small town folks who want a professional job but also want to keep the family farm.
- Folks who have a domicile in their home town...a good deal while it lasts, but most of these folks will quit if they get forced into a commute.
- People with money or a lucrative side job who can afford to not get paid a professional wage.

Try to search for other threads on this subject, there has been plenty of discussion.

weirdbiz

The most senior guys at Eagle fly mostly day trips, get 18 days off a month, and make around 100k. That's a good gig, if you live in base. The catch is that it takes 15 years to get there, and most of those years suck. The thing is, if you go to a major, you'll have however many years at a regional and then a bunch MORE years going through the same crappy lifestyle at a major. More reserve, more bad schedules, low pay, low seniority, working holidays and away from family... this could last for quite a few years because the majors are filled with old guys who are going nowhere, age 65, and seniority lists with thousands more people than regionals.
The point is, if you're lucky, you could have a decent gig at a major airline 15 years after you start, making more money than the decent gig you would get staying at a regional for 15 years. For that additional money, you have to slog through more crap and take more risks. It just depends what's worth it to you.