Originally Posted by
Flying Enoch
I'm at a fork in the road and looking for some advice on the topic:
I am a 5 year CA at a regional, with approximately 3900TT, 900 TPIC.
I hold relatively good seniority in my domicile (lineholder), and lives 15 minutes from the employee lot. I am also involved with the Union, as well as extracurricular activities (resume builders) with my current company.
I've always dreamed of one day working for FedEx, or a legacy airline.
Question: Does leaving my regional to pursue a wide body type rating, and international experience set me up better for my "end-goal", or would remaining at my current job do that?
There may also be opportunities to become a LCA, or enter the training dept. etc. with my current employer.
Also, the 1st year with the new position would be a pay cut, but I will be right back to the same pay (and perhaps more) by the second year.
Just looking at it on a big picture scale. Let's say you become a LCA, more involved in the union, and you have your 1000 TPIC what else are you doing to make yourself stand apart? Out of the 13,XXX regional pilots vying for the same legacy or cargo job that you are what makes you different? Community service, teaching special needs, impeccable recommendations? Hypothetically 5000 of those may have the same credentials as you but that's still 5000 pilots competing for the same position. By no means am I saying an ACMI heavy type will change your Odds but I have seen it help a few that were once in your position.
The best decision is the one you don't regret! Best of luck
