Originally Posted by
AirWillie
That's why I really doubt people will be willing to fly for the majors now. It's just amazing how people I know, most are saying they'll fly corp/fractional/cargo before flying for the majors now. Some are even considering leaving the country all together. One guy is looking at an A330/340 operation in Asia where like everything is paid and CA oportunity in a few years. The current economy and the exciting candidates for the presidency don't help either.
At the end of the day, the majors still top out much higher than the fracs, even under concessionary contracts; the really top-end corporate gigs are almost impossible to obtain unless you know someone; UPS isn't hiring (and ANC is a ridiculous commute); and when FedEx starts hiring, it's Hong Kong or Paris as a junior FO (and junior CA). ACMI cargo/charter gigs result in 3-4 weeks on the road at a pop.
Flying in Asia or the Mid East may pay the bills...but at what cost? I don't think most folks want to raise their kids in Doha, Dubai, etc...half a world away from friends and family...regardless of compensation--which is solid but not outstanding. If you haven't spent time in Doha and/or Dubai, you may not fully grasp the culture shock involved with living there....or in the Far East, for that matter.
So for comparative QOL, I think the majors will always be a fairly popular option.