Originally Posted by
Apokleros
Simply put they will have to raise the offered compensation. $36k to be an SIC is not enough in today's market, and it is not enough to attract applicants who already have some jet time but no ATP certficate like me. Some of the regionals nowadays pay just as much as AirShare and upgrade time there can equal or be quicker than at EAS. If FO pay were bumped up to around $50k, I would reconsider, but anything less than that it isn't worth it with so many other opportunities at the regionals and 135 gigs like TMC opening their doors....
It sounds like maybe something that I would do just for a year to get jet time upon reaching 135 IFR minimums, then off to something bigger (kind of like my present 135 gig). The days where pilots are treated unfairly are gone or soon about to be long gone, thank heavens.
Also, their entire fractional fleet consists of single pilot aircraft.
Originally Posted by
Super27
Absolutely true. But it comes down to a lifestyle choice. I don't care how good the pay is at a regional - it's still a regional. You will still be working crap schedules, flying to a lot of crap places, staying in crap hotels, eating crap food in airports, carrying around a feed bag because you can only afford one crappy airport meal per day and the motels you stay in won't have restaurants anyway, and basically being the bottom of the food chain when it comes to the overall operation at any airport.
I'm in no way denying the opportunities that regionals offer for many pilots. But comparing a regional to EAS isn't comparing apples to apples. I generally work no more than 2-3 legs per day. I get to fly to some decent places, and occasionally get lucky enough to spend several days there. While the regional crew is still standing in the rain waiting on the LaQuinta van, I'm already enjoying the free open bar at the Embassy Suites that I drove to in my company-paid rental car. I'm also never reaching for my own money to pay for a meal, nor do I have to worry about packing a feed bag and trying to snag a room with a microwave at the hotel. EAS is far from perfect, but this side of the industry offers far more lifestyle perks than the regionals ever will.
Crap schedules? 12/3 is good? Every regional in the country offers a better schedule. Crap food? Per diem at most regionals is on par with $15/meal at EAS. Crap hotels? Pretty much the same. I've stayed at various levels of hotels and motels throughout the country. Embassy Suites is pretty much the same as most La Quintas countrywide. Open bar? I would guess that most regional pilots can afford a sixer at the 7-11 for $7.
There was a time where I would have killed for an FO slot at EAS. I got shot down in 2013, and honestly, I am glad I did. I've made way more money and logged way more valuable time since I got the denial letter.