Debating becoming a regional lifer.
05-24-2017, 06:46 AM
#11
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
Originally Posted by sargeanb
I've reached a crossroads in this career, one that many of us have reached at some point. I'm 36, and have been here at my regional of choice for 10 years, about 9K hrs. I've had my apps out to the majors for 3 years, and haven't heard a peep, I'm guessing due to a couple 121 check failures, and my unwillingness to attend "pay to play" job fairs. I'm happy to see a few majors have begun their own in-house job expos, and I hope that trend continues.
I've watched as captains I used to fly with, my colleagues and friends, and now FOs and former students got on at the majors, and I'm starting to wonder what's wrong with me. Be that as it may, I'm driving to work, living comfortably in the midwest, and have 15-16 days off a month. Republic has been a fairly stable place to work, even with the restructuring, and now our diversified ownership by the 3 legacies, Embraer, and others seems pretty stable to me, at least in the near term. I'm seriously debating giving up the major airline dream, and just staying here.
This is not a "woe is me" post. I know plenty are in the same boat, wondering if that call will ever come. I'm just curious...for those who have ended up staying at the regionals long term...any advice?
I've watched as captains I used to fly with, my colleagues and friends, and now FOs and former students got on at the majors, and I'm starting to wonder what's wrong with me. Be that as it may, I'm driving to work, living comfortably in the midwest, and have 15-16 days off a month. Republic has been a fairly stable place to work, even with the restructuring, and now our diversified ownership by the 3 legacies, Embraer, and others seems pretty stable to me, at least in the near term. I'm seriously debating giving up the major airline dream, and just staying here.
This is not a "woe is me" post. I know plenty are in the same boat, wondering if that call will ever come. I'm just curious...for those who have ended up staying at the regionals long term...any advice?
Nah. Give up. Be a lifer.
05-24-2017, 07:57 AM
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2005
Position: DFW A320 FO
Posts: 586
You are too young to have this mentality (I know because I tried it at 40ish after a furlough post-9/11; that ultimately proved untenable and I was fortunate to get another shot after declining recall and later realizing my job was not great and getting worse). Welcome to the reality and frustration that is the game of trying for a legacy carrier. You are plenty qualified, assuming your busts are explainable as learning events and not repetitive and egregious. BUT, you need to do everything you can, including paying for resume help, interview prep and yes, job fairs. The legacy gigs offer you an exponentially better career at your age.
Good luck.
Good luck.
05-24-2017, 08:08 AM
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Position: On the hotel shuttle
Posts: 5,812
Looking back at 65 and thinking "what could have been" is the cruelest of self-inflicted tortures. I left a fairly well-paying ACMI to go to a legacy and have absolutely zero regrets (especially since they went out of business a few years after I left.
)
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05-24-2017, 12:44 PM
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2008
Posts: 193
It's a numbers game. I am in the same boat as you, but three years older and I am not giving up. I'm doing what I can to get to AA,DL,UA,SW,FEDEX,UPS.
However if it doesn't happen, I'll enjoy my 17 days off every month, $120K+ and on track for 3.2M 401K.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
However if it doesn't happen, I'll enjoy my 17 days off every month, $120K+ and on track for 3.2M 401K.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
05-24-2017, 06:45 PM
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: E170 CA
Posts: 200
Think it's pretty much unanimous. While there are some advantages to staying here, there are many more to moving on, and I know that. My friends who have already moved on tell me it's like night and day.
About a year ago when most of them were hired I was updating my apps regularly, got several internal recs at each carrier, I went to a university job fair, a few interview prep session (Emerald Coast and Aero Crew Solutions), and I've applied to become a check airman...nothing back from any of that, unfortunately. I've let it slide a bit...my logbook and interview suit are just gathering dust now. Thanks for the pep talk...I've got to get my butt in gear and keep trying. Hopefully, someday, my number will be up.
About a year ago when most of them were hired I was updating my apps regularly, got several internal recs at each carrier, I went to a university job fair, a few interview prep session (Emerald Coast and Aero Crew Solutions), and I've applied to become a check airman...nothing back from any of that, unfortunately. I've let it slide a bit...my logbook and interview suit are just gathering dust now. Thanks for the pep talk...I've got to get my butt in gear and keep trying. Hopefully, someday, my number will be up.
05-24-2017, 08:28 PM
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2017
Position: 175 CA
Posts: 1,285
Originally Posted by sargeanb
Think it's pretty much unanimous. While there are some advantages to staying here, there are many more to moving on, and I know that. My friends who have already moved on tell me it's like night and day.
About a year ago when most of them were hired I was updating my apps regularly, got several internal recs at each carrier, I went to a university job fair, a few interview prep session (Emerald Coast and Aero Crew Solutions), and I've applied to become a check airman...nothing back from any of that, unfortunately. I've let it slide a bit...my logbook and interview suit are just gathering dust now. Thanks for the pep talk...I've got to get my butt in gear and keep trying. Hopefully, someday, my number will be up.
About a year ago when most of them were hired I was updating my apps regularly, got several internal recs at each carrier, I went to a university job fair, a few interview prep session (Emerald Coast and Aero Crew Solutions), and I've applied to become a check airman...nothing back from any of that, unfortunately. I've let it slide a bit...my logbook and interview suit are just gathering dust now. Thanks for the pep talk...I've got to get my butt in gear and keep trying. Hopefully, someday, my number will be up.
Get involved and make yourself known. Complacency kills people and careers.
05-25-2017, 07:28 AM
#19
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2014
Posts: 273
Originally Posted by sargeanb
Think it's pretty much unanimous. While there are some advantages to staying here, there are many more to moving on, and I know that. My friends who have already moved on tell me it's like night and day.
About a year ago when most of them were hired I was updating my apps regularly, got several internal recs at each carrier, I went to a university job fair, a few interview prep session (Emerald Coast and Aero Crew Solutions), and I've applied to become a check airman...nothing back from any of that, unfortunately. I've let it slide a bit...my logbook and interview suit are just gathering dust now. Thanks for the pep talk...I've got to get my butt in gear and keep trying. Hopefully, someday, my number will be up.
About a year ago when most of them were hired I was updating my apps regularly, got several internal recs at each carrier, I went to a university job fair, a few interview prep session (Emerald Coast and Aero Crew Solutions), and I've applied to become a check airman...nothing back from any of that, unfortunately. I've let it slide a bit...my logbook and interview suit are just gathering dust now. Thanks for the pep talk...I've got to get my butt in gear and keep trying. Hopefully, someday, my number will be up.
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