Originally Posted by widebodyjunkie

(1) On an average basis, how long does it take a FO to upgrade to a captains chair at a regional? I've heard a lot of instructors say that is only takes a couple of years, but I've read on some other forums that it can take up to five years....any truth to that?

Yea assume 5 years. During times of industry movement it takes 1 to 3 years depending on the regional. But it usually takes about 2-5 years. If more than 5 years, then you're not trying to upgrade.


(2) is it true that if you should happen to leave an airline or even become furloughed, that you have to completely start over with another airline in terms of pay? what about if you already typed in one aircraft and you get hired by another airline flying the same aircraft....do they still start you over at first year pay? Even if you have years of experience already built up?

Yes, you're still considered experienced but you lose seniority and have to start all over. This is one aspect of the job that most outsiders can't comprehend. It all has to do with the union and seniority lists. I think it's fair.

(3) Furlough to my understanding is basically a temporary lay off, in which you basically are still employed by the airline you just don't get paid and you don't fly....correct? So...on an average basis, how long would you guess an pilot would be on furlough at a regional? I would assume it depends on the airlines revenue as well as economic factors, but is it very often that you can expect to be furloughed for more than a year?

Furlough at the "regionals" is basically a complete layoff. You have no attachement to the airline, you're not employed, you're not being paid, nothing, zip. It just means when they have openings, they'll have to call you first before they look for street pilots. You can be called that month or be called months into years from the furlough. Unless you're waiting for a recall from FEDEX, you're probably not going to stick around for the call for more than 3 months. If you're furloughed, you can pretty much consider it the last time you flew for that regional.

(4) currently, I don't have a degree. I am a software engineer and have been in the business for over 7 years. Is that going to someday limit my exposure to airlines that will actually hire me? Say Southwest or Delta? I know that many of the majors and legacys look for degrees, but are they willing to look at overall work experience instead of rather or not you have a piece of paper from a university?

Actually all that matters is your flight experience and your performance at the interview. You will need a degree for top airlines, mostly because it's competitive.

(5) Reserve time I interpret is the amount of hours the airline pays you for each month regardless of how much you fly? And can someone please help me understand what is the difference between being on reserve, verses a line holder, and whatever other "holder" there is in between? That's all over my head and I can't find a forum that explains it in detail.

Reserve means you don't have a schedule. It means you only know when you're going to be off and that's it. The days you are on, you are at the mercy of crew schedulers. If you are a line holder it means that you have a schedule. It's actually very simple, reserve is bad, line holder is good. That's all based on how much seniority you have in the company. Luckly most reserve time is at the regionals is only a matter of a few months

.