Originally Posted by
Coneydog
And people keep saying the same thing over and over: get your time and get out. As if its just that easy. Tell that to many of the regional captains who already put 10, 12, or 15 years in. That is a good chunk of the prime of your life. Make sure you pick a regional that will pay you the best, and try live where you're based. Go for a quality of life because you could be there a while. Don't count on a quick departure from the regionals and onto the majors. If it happens, great.
I know a lot of these guys because if I was still at a regional I'd be one of them. It was hard for them to bail at the time because it was all about the money. Heck, I know several XJT guys who had the opportunity to come to CAL back in '06 and '07 but chose not to because of the crap first year pay, etc. They instead hung out making $100k, became LCA's, etc and are now seeing the writing on the wall, its time to get out! Others have gotten interviews in the past and either bombed it, or more simply, they had too may skeletons in their closet to get the call.
All 3 majors are drawing applicants from the same pool, and UAL & DAL are pulling 200+ a month combined. That pool will dry up sooner rather than later, probably within 5 years.