Cubicle to Regional
 

First time poster here so go easy :D. I've been reading a lot but want to post my specific situation here and see if anyone has any thoughts.

1200 hour pilot, was a full time CFI,CFII,MEI for 3 years back in 2006-2009, was thinking about the airlines when the economy fell apart and ultimately ended up in the corporate (non-aviation) world.

Have B.S. in Engineering and Masters in business, $150k+ job, but the corporate life is a soul sucking rat race. I have had a passion for aviation since I was a little kid and I find myself traveling for work a lot, always thinking I should be up front and quit the 60 hour weeks behind a computer screen. I picked flying back up 3 years ago, flight instruct on the side for fun and probably fly about 100 hours per year.

Given the current environment it seems like the industry is finally paying enough and there is enough movement for me to at least consider giving it a go. I know there isn't much time left for me to make a decision to start to take on flying full time. Couple of questions:

1. For those that have maybe made a similar transition is it what you expected? Do you find you feel you work more or less (i.e. how is life when not tethered to a smartphone 24/7)?

2. If close out my last 300 hours and apply to a regional in the next 12 months, will I still have time to make the move to a Major before the wave fizzles and I end up a lifer FO with no seniority?

3. Unlike most on this forum I live in New York City and have the ability to stay here (wife works and does well and we own our place) - will this help me in terms of getting interviews and also moving up the seniority list faster?

4. Any other thoughts welcome.

Thanks!

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The city you live in has nothing to do with seniority or getting an interview.

Get your hours and pick which regional you want to work at. Living in NYC, I'd look at Republic and Envoy.

Living in NYC, Endeavor would be the best choice given today’s options. We’ll see what’s in Republic’s new TA.

You are right the in the fact the city in which you *live* in has nothing to do with getting an interview or seniority, but the city in which you’re *based* in has everything to do with relative seniority. NYC will always be the most junior base for any airline. Most pilots generally have no desire to live or commute there given other options. You’ll credit the most hours a month, upgrade the soonest, etc living in the junior base.

Expect to make $65k first year, $75k second year and $100k third year (plus per Diem) living in NYC at Endeavor. So easy to credit 100+ hours living in the junior base.

Generally, much better QOL.

But before you get there, there's training (generally a special kind of hell, but that depends), then typically some junior-base reserve. Once you some seniority, it can be pretty good.

But the caveats...

- If you want to keep progressing to bigger planes (more money) at the fastest rate, you'll end up throwing away your seniority and starting all over with QOL. A mitigation is to suck it up until you get to a seat that pays *enough* money (typically Legacy FO), and then sit tight and enjoy your seniority for many years, and defer the CA upgrade (and big bucks).

Yes, the wave is just warming up. But don't waste any time.

Also sounds like you have some education tickets punched, but you'll want to research all of the things which stack up to make you appealing to a major BEFORE you commit. Background issues can be problematic.

Two things...

1. If you actually WANT to live in NYC, you should immediately drop everything and pursue major airlines. You will enjoy an significant seniority boost by staying based in what is the junior domicile for every airline that has a base there. You will also enjoy additional QOL benefits by living in a junior base (vice commuting).

It will probably take me nearly 30 years from the day I started pursuing aviation to be a legacy CA... and drive to work in SOCAL (which is my hard criteria). You could possibly do that in NYC in 5-7 years. From today.

2. A previous poster said it won't help with the interview... that's not entirely true. Most airlines (except DAL/FDX) will have some concerns as to whether you'll continue to shop around for better jobs. If you can tell them that you're rooted in their junior base, they'll know you'll be less likely to leave, and also less likely to be a reliability problem due to commuting. The majority of NYC based pilots (and FAs) commute, and they tend not to show up when it snows a lot.

Thanks RickAir.

Yeah I'm one of those crazy people who grew up here, wife has a job she loves, etc.. so glad to hear it has some distinct benefits.

On your comment about researching things that majors would want to see, from what I have read, besides the education and hours, there hasn't been a lot of clarity, seems like a bit of a crap shoot after that. Are there other things I should be considering that they like to see?

Have no background issues as far as I know.
- No recent traffic tickets (last one was speeding in 2007)
- No DUIs
- No Failed Checkrides
- No Arrests/misdemeanors

..Anything else?

Lastly on the comment about dropping everything to pursue the majors, I assume you mean once I can some hours at the regionals and have the mins? No Major is going to consider a guy with 1500hrs and 100 piston multi unless I am missing something?

Thanks so everyone for the responses.

Pursue majors by way of the regionals (possible to do it via 91/135, but likely slower path).

Cubicle to Regional
 

Look at Envoy or Endeavor..... Hands down!

Just curious why u recommended Republic to him? I’m at ENY, but still for his situation I could honestly this order:

1. Endeavor (get a shoe-In Delta Interview, plus highest paid regional, plus very solid Rsv rules). With OP’s background and Masters Degree, he has a great shot, and future. Hands down Endeavor is the #1 place for him if he wants NYC base. Quick upgrades too. Solid pilot group. also one of the best Regional with Very Strong and ever improving Mgmt-Pilot Relationship. Delta is known to take care of its people and it shows at Endeavor. It not just a statement, they follow through, Delta leads the way, and the industry.


2. CommutAir ($72/$75K 1st yr FO compensation or something like that, EWR base across the pond). Quick upgrade, solid work group. Mgmt to pilot relationship improving, especially since recent “Salary” raise/ Plus a Bonus raise / Plus retention bonus raised. Also CPP is a guaranteed interview at United, except you know sooner rather than later that you will get a Slot at United vs the Endeavor program where u wait until the your a Captain for at-least 2yrs before u can interview. Something like that.

3. Envoy (flow, in 9 yrs, decent compensation than Republic only because of a temporary Bonus), hourly rate wise Republic pays more to start. Overall compensation Envoy. The flow is a great back pocket no more interview tool to have. If u need a light at the end of the tunnel. ENY is Reserve rules are considered a crap full toilet bowl of rules, lots of grievances, and company manipulation of contract language also). Quick upgrades, but forced upgrades means reserve hell. Mgmt to Pilot relationship degrading and falling apart!

4. Republic Airways. No quick upgrades, trying to fill up classes. Pay lower than previous 3. Decent reserve rules. Solid pilot group. Mgmt to pilot relationship improving a lot.

Feel free to add or correct my statement or listing.

Thanks SilentLurker.

I am very happy to see that the feedback on here is that with my background it's not a detriment and might even be a big bonus. I didn't realize the degrees, and especially advanced degrees, put a good tick on the record.

I am definitely going to consider EDV and ENV. I didn't really even think of CommutAir since from what I have been reading the legs are short and there have been issues with upgrading. However its good to hear a different perspective. United's retirement numbers are better than Delta's in the time frame I would make it to the majors so I will definitely look into that, however the EWR base is a bit more of a pain. If you have any other info on these guys please do share.

Lots of great info on here so thanks again!

Add a few years and....?
 

Great thread.

I am another NY (Long Island) based cubicle dweller with very similar credentials and hours, less the CFI, but nearly 41 years old. With any luck I’ll complete my multi commercial and 25 hours multi in the next month. I meet all other regional requirements.

Would any of the commenters’ advice change with my older age?