I’m currently in the interview process for a fractional. I’m a regional FO on the verge of upgrade but know that’s where the music stops if I don’t want to commute while living in my hometown. The fact that I really don’t want to leave the place where my wife has a support system while I’m gone is pushing me into this decision. I played the commuting game for a few years, almost quit flying because of it. The major airline we fly for has a base close to home, but it’s senior and the major we fly for isn’t one of the top 3. So commuting for X amount of years just isn’t worth getting in line for me. I’ll take my positive space ticket and 7/7 schedule over making “bank” flying the big boys.

Some may think I’m crazy for jumping out of 121 but that’s okay, because at the end of the day it will be my decision to live with. There is no lie in the fact that major airlines are the top tier employers as far as wages and benefits. That I’m not blind to, but as a pilot time away is a given, so days off not spent commuting is gold in my opinion.

If you’re young and single, don’t care where you live and want to make lots of cash, suck up the few years at a regional and head for the majors. Heck, the pay is double what it once was at the regionals now, so making less than 40k is hard to do as an FO. Most places you will upgrade right away, again given you don’t care where you’re based. Then maybe 2-3 years in the left seat then you’re getting your best suit ready for that major airline interview.

Best of luck to you in whatever decision you make