Originally Posted by
Macjet
I'm not B6, yet, but I left NJA for Spirit 7 years ago and there isn't a single second of a single minute of a single day that I've ever regretted that decision. The 7/7 schedules SUCKED big time. A week on the road? F! that nonsense. 3 day trips are my ideal. I generally fly what I want, when I want, and I make more money now working way, way, way less than I did at NJA. I don't worry about the fuel truck, the catering, the bags, greeting the passengers and their dogs, their rental car, or worrying about whether the airplane is clean and properly stocked. I fly the jet and let everyone else do their jobs until we have an issue to resolve.
What's the most junior captain at NJA? A 2006 hire? The pilot ranks there have shrunk since I was hired. What's your future opportunities? Are there still guys 80+ flying over there? Do you want to be a career FO? Maybe you do, I didn't. I saw no future there as a forever FO with a company waiting for the next downturn to furlough another 495 guys.
To each their own, but no, I don't regret leaving at all. Best of luck to you in your decision.
Those are the same reasons I left the fractional/135 flying years ago. We can greet the passengers when they board or when they get off. That’s about as much interaction as we have with a few PA’s. A 121 airline is great. You fly… Yes as a captain you deal with all the BS but you have people to help just a phone call or Acars away… you can fly as much or as little as you want at my company. It’s got great flexibility with a little seniority. This year I’ll probably make north of 450K with wages and 401K company contributions. It’s been a great decision in my mind to fly for an airline. Another plus is at 65 I’m done. Don’t have to worry about flying any longer. I’ll have 35 years in and will be ready to hang er up.