flyfly123

Afternoon,
Just looking for some advice from some legacy guys. Currently working as a FO for a regional on the east coast. Not PSA or PDT save me that grief. I am from the midwest originally and I came to my current airline, which is my first 121 job kinda on a whim after being talked into it by a few friends who came here. I enjoy the company I work for, I have no regrets about that and they treat me as well as I would come to expect being a regional FO, thats not the issue, I am "living the dream", problem is, I am just not adapting to this environment as I thought I would. Overall with my life, I am not happy where I am living, as soon as I got out here, my gf left me, I live in Virginia Beach and I feel like I am on this never ending vacation with my parents when I was a kid, so It is just that kind of is this really what I wanted kind of feeling. My question is, if i interviewed at a different carrier that would bring me back where I could have a base in my hometown at ORD, would this look bad to UAL,AAL when I applied to them down the road as I ultimately would like to try and get on at a legacy. Im not leaving because the company sucks, I just am not happy in life.

Any advice helps.

CaptCoolHand

how soon till you can upgrade and punch out? can you suck it up long enough to not have to make the lateral move? do whats best for you but if you can suffer through it you'll save yourself time in the long run... usually.

good luck man.

plenty of chicks in vabch! go get some!

crxpilot

Well try to leave for another flying job before you jump ship. Currency is everything. Good luck.

sab1250

I work for Frontier, not a Legacy, but I don't see how this could hurt you. All regionals suck and I'm pretty sure Legacy hiring panels know that, and would understand a lateral move if it gave you the opportunity to live in base for a while! I worked for AWAC too for a year after working for Colgan for 5. I also hated living in VA Beach! I was soooo happy when I moved outta there! Worst place ever, and I lived in Newark NJ for a while, so that's saying something!

Btw. Frontier has an ord base if you have 2500TT and 500 PIC of any kind not just turbine. While not a Legacy it is WAY better than a regional!

flyfly123

been here since about spring, so im not looking at united anytime soon, still in the low 1000 hour area

Flynn

I was told that UAL recruiters like to see that you have stuck with one airline instead of jumping around chasing a quick upgrade,QOL etc. -shows loyalty and dedication to your employer. Having said that I think you could go to a different regional and not really hurt yourself to much as long as you have a Good answer for why you did what you did. I would try to limit myself to one lateral move though so make sure you go to a regional that you want to be at for the foreseeable future.

FirstClass

I attended the United Airlines webinar regarding hiring on June 23rd. It was chaired by Mr. Bill Kennedy, United's Senior Manager of Pilot Recruiting.

During that webinar, a question regarding lateral moves in order to build PIC time quicker came up. Mr. Kennedy said (and I'm slightly paraphrasing here going by my notes) "United doesn't care about chasing PIC unless you are sacrificing home or family life to do it".

Also, if you leave one regional airline as an FO to go to another as Captain or a quick ride up the ladder to be Captain, how is that even a lateral move? That's good for your career, more money, better opportunity. It is not a lateral move. Anybody can understand wanting to do things to better themselves, their situation, and their families situation. Frankly, your career plans are NONE of anybody's business, but obviously you will have ample time to explain anything you feel like explaining during an interview.

Do me a favor though, don't just stay in a bad situation while the "pilot shortage" just passes you on by, that would be a big mistake and irresponsible.

flyfly123

Thanks for the advice and I guess sorry for the sob story of a post, I want to be at the regionals (not for life), Im not tiller envy or anything and this move isnt to get PIC time, there are places to go for that. I just am thinking my situation is mere QOL, I moved across the country for this job with the notion of "living on the beach will rock". Its not what I thought it would be and I never really liked the east coast to begin with. I am just unsure if I should stick it out with my company and maybe commute or just go somewhere like SKW where I can move back to my home city and have some midwest flying

dogismycopilot

Easy choice, go for an ORD- based regional. Don't look back. The longer you wait, the harder it will be to leave. This job gives you the flexibility to do what you want and need to do, and if that involves a job change, do it. Just be prepared to answer why you made the move when that major interview comes.

-Dog
(3 regionals, 1 121 Charter, 1 LCC, 1 Major)

seekingblue

Do what is best for your family... always. If you explain it that way in an interview, everyone will understand.