Originally Posted by
LeoSV
I don't agree with that. I doubt anybody will just hang their headphones up if they don't make it to a legacy, especially if they are a CA at a regional making $70k. Like social swede said, it's about a passion. bottom line is that pilots get paid pretty well after a few years, and VERY well after many years. All is takes is a salary of $102,000 to make it to the top 2% of income earners. I'm not going to argue about how truckers make more than first year FO's anymore. How about 5th year? how about 8th year? You could make $40k as a server at a fine dining restaurant with no college also. Does that also mean it might catch up to pilot salaries soon? I think not.
I have a theory that has yet to be proven. Others have also mentioned a similar idea on this forum that much of the movement in the regionals is from guys who got hired young, shot to the left seat and then eventually realized that the jump to the next rung is much more difficult than they first thought.
Turbine captains are one of thousands anymore. RJ time is pedestrian. Unless you have some strong internal contacts at the dream job there usually is no interview coming no matter how good you are.
The life of a regional pilot wears on you over time. When the idea first hits that "
oh man, I may have to stay here" despair sets in hard. Most of us on the first day of flight school have a shiny 747-400 in mind and not a depressed, tired and in-debt regional pilot dream. It is easier to endure the hardships when you believe that salvation is just around the corner. Once that illusion is gone it becomes much more difficult to stick with it.
I believe that If a pilot is young enough to make a leap to another job or profession they do and that is where a portion of turn over is coming from. The rest are taking chances in desperation with fractionals or corporate. Too bad it takes a small fortune and a wasted decade to learn the hard way.
Skyhigh