Originally Posted by
airline NooB
Allow me to clarify:
I'd love to work for a good regional. My current favorite is Alaska Airlines.
Ummm. Alaska is a LCC, not a regional. Colgan, Mesaba, Horizon (like you mention below), Skywest, ExpressJet, Great Lakes and many others are regionals.
You aren’t competitive for Alaska yet. But working in a Part 121 environment (once you’re competitive for that) will get you in line for someone like Alaska or Delta. Check their college degree requirements though…
Originally Posted by
airline NooB
SWA is, of course, another Dream Job; but as with my Delta fantasy....I liken it to winning the lottary.
Make it a goal. You can do it if you get down to business and make it happen. No lottery ticket needed.
Originally Posted by
airline NooB
This is why one of the Type-ratings I was asking about is the Q-400 (Colgan/Masaba/Horizon).
None of the regionals will be expecting or requiring a type. Please remember that it may be more detrimental to you than not having one. It allows the interview to mercilessly probe into that aircraft’s systems – if you don’t know that aircraft and just have the type it will work against you. Spend your money more wisely.
Originally Posted by
airline NooB
I've got no ego to stroke. I'll be as content sitting right-seat in a heavy turbo-prop as I would be in a jet.
What about a light turbo-prop?
Originally Posted by
airline NooB
My dilima is whether or not teaching someone "Pitch for airspeed, power for altitude" in a 1300 pound Tomahawk is as relevant to a 100,000 regional airliner or if a crisp, new (unused) type-rating in an aircraft deployed by the interviewing agency would be more helpful.
Saturday Night Live just popped into my head – the skit with Amy and Seth… “Really?”
Without hesitation YES it is relevant. It all goes back to experience. Experience with the unexpected…. stick time….. crosswind landings….. an unused type rating is worthless if unused.
I can teach you to fly my airplane, but the two things I can’t teach you – attitude and experience.
Plus, I’m not sure what you mean by “type-rating in an aircraft deployed by the interviewing agency” – what does this mean? If you are referring to simulator evaluations as part of an interview that could be a problem in and of itself. Many airlines will utilize a simulator for evaluation that isn’t part of their active fleet. So obtaining a type rating for that aircraft (assuming one would be required to fly that airframe) may be completely and utterly useless. Please clarify – maybe I’m interpreting what you’re asking incorrectly.
Originally Posted by
airline NooB
I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful relationship with a loving, caring and encouraging wife....who also happens to be a successful psychologist. So MY earnings are somewhat....trivial. This allows me the relative luxury of not having to chase the paycheck.
This is good – your first several years in this business (including the first few years at a regional) won’t give you much in the way of a paycheck.
Originally Posted by
airline NooB
Yeah, the monster checks associated with legacy majors wouldnt hurt my feelings.
I think you’re remembering the good ‘ol days Cole. Those don’t really exist anymore. Anybody who is earning a monster check is a senior, senior captain flying heavies overseas. Even they are a diminishing breed as most were on the “A” scale and getting close to retirement. Only to be replaced with “B” scale folks. Maybe someone who earns those monster checks can chime in here –
Originally Posted by
airline NooB
The question that begs to be asked is: "Why do I want to go to the airlines?" The answer is simple. I am at an age where its time to take effective steps towards securing retirement benefits.
Cole – if you’re looking for any type of retirement package, or pension, you better start focusing on corporate flying or government flying. Retirement packages or pensions are a thing of the past in commercial aviation. Anyone I know who had one, has either lost it entirely (due to bankruptcies, etc) or it has been so severely reduced it is laughable. Most commercial airlines do not offer pensions anymore – it has all gone to 401K. Now some airlines have a more aggressive 401K package than others (with matching) but you won’t find a retirement package like you used to years ago.
I hope this helps. Keep flying and keep your eye on the prize!
Lori
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