Originally Posted by
Nickanicus
Wondering how this checks out with a potential recession on the horizon as a reserve baby at an AA WO regional. Looks like the cash for the next 2 years is better where I'm at, and I could probably upgrade in about 1 year. I'm also flying more now that I'm off reserve, but definitely nowhere near far enough from the bottom of the list to avoid furlough if **** hits the fan.
I feel like I could cut bait and swap to a ULCC, get a new type, fly to less ****ty places, and not really have any sunk cost on my current seniority. I could continue living where I do and driving to work, so thats no factor. Cons are more training, back to reserve life, back to the bottom of a new list and losing out on that WO money for the next 2 years.
My instinct tells me to sit tight since life is pretty good and spend my spare time efforts on major applications. I'll upgrade on my reserve airframe in FY23, so I'll be getting heavy TPIC somehow in the next 6-19 months. I'd rather only make 1 more move, but as an enterprising reservist... I don't like missing out on good deals.
My two cents...
Play the long game. Don't be afraid of making necessary moves due to *hypothetical* future events. Sometimes in this business if you miss an opportunity you might wait decades for another one. You live in a great time to be a pilot, don't assume that will last forever, get yourself into a good position while the gettin's good.
Unless you're sole bread winner with exceptional family circumstances (ie ill / disabled family member) be aggressive about key career steps. Long term it's better to be furloughed for 1-2 years with a seniority number at a great career-destination job, than employed at a stepping stone. Retirements dictate that any such furloughs will most likely be brief.