Originally Posted by
Future Cpt Kirk
I have recently signed on with a regional airline... I start training very soon. We do not have flow to the majors. I did not consider flow very much when making my decision. It was more so based on being able to drive to work, contract, pay and current upgrade time.
I have two buddies coming up behind me and they are so determined that the quoted 3-5 year flow to American from PDT is the greatest thing ever, they are not considering any other choices. Not that PDT is a bad choice... I've heard good things and did highly consider them (the outstation bases ultimately knocked them off my list). But is this flow really that big a deal?
I know that Eagle guys who were promised flow ended up sitting there for a long long time. Is flow more of a solid thing now with hiring picking up?
Anyways... Just curious to see what people think.
Take it easy!
Flow while attractive, is no guarantee. There are a lot of variables that can cause it to be metered, or stopped. AA will never park airplanes to allow pilots to flow, it's been said but I honestly never see it happening. They need their feed. As example, if new hires don't come in fast enough due to the famed pilot shortage, the flow will be slowed. If the economy crashes, and AA slows hiring the flow will be slowed or shutdown. The possibility of flow can be "golden handcuffs."
I for one, plan on leaving the comfortable confines of flow to better my resume. In short I don't think it will make or break you, I think in some ways it can cause complacently and slow you down.