Originally Posted by jayray2

This discussion of moving on to a Major vs. staying at a Regional has played out many times before. The damage to the industry was not anyone's fault. You cannot blame the current generation of regional pilots. Most wanted to move up and now the opportunity is coming too late. You can not fault someone for looking out for their own best interest. Moving up to a Major and commuting for the last 15 years of one's career, a majority of which will be spent in the right seat mind you, in today's uncertainty is dubious at best. I hear the conversation you quoted above all the time and I always have to agree that staying at a Regional is usually the best case. Job security is probably better sitting at the top 20% of a Regional than the bottom 5% of a major. Many are well on there way to a 6 digit salary, finally a good amount of vacation, 18 days off, 125% matching 401K, it is hard to make an argument for someone in their mid 40's to move on.

With that being said, as a regional pilot, I will be the first one to support the taking back of 50+ seat flying for mainline and I will also be the first one to jump ship to a brighter future the first opportunity I get. Ask me in seven years when I am in my 40's and you might get a different opinion.