Originally Posted by
MinionPilot
I currently work as an FO, pt 91 light jet, and have been too long. We'll be lucky to fly 100 hours in a year. There's no room for career/financial/personal growth. I've sent in apps at other 91/135 outfits but the ones that seem to respond have extremely low pay, expect the 24/7 on call status, etc. (low QOL). I have 2100 total with about 250 TPIC but it won't amount to much in the years ahead here.
So is making the jump to a regional worth it? I'd like to think that a regional would open more doors in the 121 segment, such as an LCC. I know some have "flow through" programs now but that doesn't mean much at this point. The base pay is still hard to swallow even though it is quite an improvement. And I'm now in my mid 40s which makes this decision a little more critical (at least to me).
Piedmont and Endeavor both have starting salaries of around 58k and quick upgrades (not sure if your time spent as a part 91 FO would count), as well as a career path with their major airline partners. If you live in any of those 2 company's bases i'd say its a good move because at 2100TT, mostly as an FO, and 0 121, i'd say a respectable major is a ways away.