Originally Posted by
squawkoff
For me, long haul wouldn't work unless it would be 7 on and then days off. I can't and don't want to be gone from family for two weeks, and some times four weeks at a time. QOL is more important to me than money. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to have the best of both and I'll gladly fight for it. The question I ask myself is how much is two years of seniority worth? I really don't want to start over at the bottom of another seniority list at another regional. Don't mind it with a vertical or even a diagonal move. No matter how you cut it, a regional is a regional. Some are just worse than others.
I'm guessing by your comment that not just having your app out but going to job fairs also. I agree with you if that's what you're getting at. I plan on doing that. I talked to one of our FOs the other day who has been to 5 job fairs trying to get to Spirit. He has yet to receive a call. He is senior to me.
I think we (MESA) are at a real turning point with this TA. If it passes JO will have to bid flying inline with other regionals. His days of a never ending supply of cheap pilots is over. He (JO) just needs to face that fact. By his emails to us and the payscales for FOs in this new TA says he hasn't faced that fact yet. If we don't pass it either he will come back to the table and try to get an expedited vote on improvements or we will stand his ground and possibly lose the additional planes for United. We will never get an industry leading TA. This is a man who prides himself on the title "Worst CEO in America."
WE SHALL SEE!
Is it a lateral move when everything is better?
Two year's seniority seems a minor reason to hold you back.
Do the benefits of that seniority outweigh the benefits of a move, lateral or otherwise?
I was picked up instantly, interviewed on the spot and got a class date 3 weeks later. All it took was face time at a job fair. I've hired close to 100 employees and subcontractors in my business career. The ones who got instant credibility were those who took the time and expense to come see me. Some from Asia to the US. People take notice when you promote yourself in a respectful manner and in person.
What I considered in making a move, lateral or otherwise:
Was QOL going to be better (commute, work rules, corp culture)?
Would the new company be a place I could spend a lengthy time at?
Would it be a better stepping stone to bigger and better?
Was the pay better, immediately or within a year or so?
Was there good reliable insurance available?
Was there a reasonable labor contract in place?
Was the reputation of the company respectable?
I'm 51, so my time is limited. Even with limited time in the industry I found it much more advantageous to make a lateral move than to stay.
I wrote down all the pros and cons of making a move and the results were an eye-opener. Where I was at showed much less opportunity.
Was I more or less likely to get hired from where I was? Less.
Was the QOL going to be better? Much better.
How was the insurance? Best in the industry.
How was the contract, pay, and reputation? Good, Good, Very Good.
It was time to leave.
Don't be stuck anywhere that holds you back or where you are unhappy. Don't make any decision out of fear. Boldly do what is best for you and your family. Maybe staying is your best career move, maybe not.
Good Luck!