Originally Posted by
daOldMan
My reference is more in lines with the hiring that has happened in the last 18 months. If he or she hasn't found something better than regional FO at Envoy in the last 18 months, and is now still just a 5.5 year FO at Envoy, then he or she might not be the best person to give advice.
There are people that entered flight school 5.5 years ago, were hired by a regional 4 years ago that have upgraded to Captain, and then moved up to a LCC already. With an Airbus or 737 type at a LCC and a couple thousand hours, they will move to the majors much faster than a CRJ FO, or even captain, and make much more money while doing so. That would be career progression and someone that you should talk to.
Get a college degree. Get TPIC. Get your applications out. Get your butt to a few job fairs. Get the he77 out of the regionals!
Don't be stagnant.
These LCC Captains you speak of are the exception and certainly not the rule. Most people that make laterals to "get ahead" end up delaying upgrades/better jobs. There are success storie, but not the norm. In my near decade in the industry, there is a lot of luck in the cards you are drawn.
In the end of the career, envoys 5.5 year guy COULD end up with much greater progression and income at WO to AAG than any LCC or any other legacy. It's any bodies guess what will really happen though. I certainly don't think his choice to work at Eagle 5.5 years ago is a bad one. I hope that AAG/Envoy make our airline a more appealing option going forward. It will certainly be a big job righting our ship.