Originally Posted by usmc-sgt

The current path is hard to stomach? That is what we call "experience." Nothing that is worth having comes easy and if it comes easy its not worth having. You aren't talking an entry level job here, you are talking a potential long term, high paying career. You think that should be obtainable with 150k and a pulse? The regionals are what they are and yes, they put people right seat at 1500 hours in a jet. This has unfortunately become an accepted risk because there is simply no other option. The majors demand better, the passengers demand better and your captain will demand better.

You simply do not know what you do not know. You'll go to them on day 1 after IOE and likely be sharp with the systems, you will have your flows down and run a checklist quite well. I'm sure you will be very proficient on the box and manipulate the autopilot as good as the next guy. What you likely will not do is provide any real value should an outside the book abnormal arise. Weather avoidance? Ice? Windshear? Contaminated surfaces? You simply do not know because you have never been there, let alone been there potentially hundreds of times. I can say with confidence that 95%+ pilots there have and have real word advice based on real world experience. Youll get there but they may not have time for that. They need a second pilot NOW, not 2000 hours from now when you start to gain a modicum of experience. Its not even these big things, you will have no concept of how the flow of an airport like ORD or JFK operates, who to call, when to call, when to read back, when not. While not everyone has this experience, they have other experiences that catch them up to speed rather quickly. In the end, everyone will try to justify their choices. Everyone who participates in this gateway will justify it any way that they can. Just don't expect to be welcomed with open arms from the pilot group, they aren't your peers.