Originally Posted by
heading180
The problem today is, I don't mind making 25K a year as a 2-3 year FO at a regional but as it stands now, the regionals are not as much as a "stepping stone" as they used to be. Why?? Because there is no choice. I don't believe the regional airlines were intended to be career airlines.
Why don't you mind making 25k as a 2-3 year FO? You honestly think that is fair wages for ANY professional with 2-3 years experience?
Agreed, the regionals are no longer stepping stones to major airlines. The regionals have grown into larger aircraft, and larger routes, resulting in fewer and fewer mainline jobs being available. That trend will continue, and anybody hired in the last 5 years had best plan on being at a regional for a long long long time.
Originally Posted by
heading180
As furloughed OH, I think I have to get out. I think it's time to find something else. Even if they recalled, My kids will be ready for college about the time I would be eligable for upgrade and... I just can't provide for them at that point in their lives on 30K fo pay.
If you could get more people to understand that without having to sacrifice 2-3 of their life before realizing there is no future at regionals so long as people continue to be willing to perform a profession for general labor wages.
Originally Posted by
heading180
I guess what I am trying to say is....the regional pay scales are okay I guess if the system worked like it was supposed to. 2-3 years FO, 2-5 as captain followed by being picked up by a major or fractional. It's just not that way anymore.
I disagree. The entry level pay at regionals is not commensurate with the level of education, experience, training or liability involved with the job.
The never ending supply of young pilots with SJS and false dreams of doing as you say, 2-5 years at a regional, then going to a major; are the primary reasons that nothing has changed. The regional managements haveb been playing on these false hopes for years now. Hopefully, the press being generated over the issue will cause many folks to change career paths prior to being locked into this one.