Originally Posted by
Lakeaffect
If you get turned down by UA, WN, DL, AA, FDX, UPS, and JBLU then yes choose NK over your regional. It just makes more sense now than it ever has to wait it out a little longer at your regional to try to get on with one of those carriers, before coming to NK. They all have better pay and better seniority progression and are hiring like crazy.
Having just come from a regional, it’s not what it seems. FOs that want to fly, aren’t flying. Which means no progression.
The rates are nice and I’m definitely missing out on the short term, but the regional model is imploding on itself. No one should want to be there once it goes belly up. If it does survive by some miracle, concessionary rates will be negotiated in the recession.
I get the whole “just wait it out for a legacy job”, but the reality is, the ones being hired from the left seat have 300-500 hours TPIC. If it’s right seat to right seat, their total time is high and have an impressive resume. I have a friend who’s a CA at a regional with around 200 TPIC, has done a one on one MTC at UA and still hasn’t been called for a formal interview.
On the other hand, my friend had 2 people in her leave NK right after their type ride for a legacy. Idk what the sauce is, but staying at a regional isn’t the answer. I do, however, encourage people to do what is right for them in their current situation. NK is not the airline for everyone, but it sure beats a regional by a loooong mile.