I think the bigger question is that while at a flowing regional, should you take a job at a LCC instead of waiting to flow to the majors?

 

I guess that all depends on how close you are to flowing. If you're within a year or two, I'd probably wait out the flow. If not, you can make a much better career at an LCC than a regional if flow never happens, and once your at an LCC there is nothing stopping you from trying to advance your career to a legacy.

 

Unless it’s changed. It’s hard to get on with aa unless you are with their wo airlines. So I’d go to one of them and try and get on with delta untied asap

 

In many cases, yes absolutely, especially the more junior you are/older you are waiting to flow. When you do the math at the most recent level of LCC pay/ 401k DC topping out at or near AA group II narrowbody rates, you’d make a lot of $$$ at the LCC during the period it would take you to flow and then upgrade to Group 2 captain at AA (approximately 15-17 years from start of flow to narrowbody AA captain for AA Wholly owned new hires today).

The older you are, the tougher it will be to make that money up on the backside at AA on the group III/ IV widebody pay scales before you hit mandatory retirement.

 

Some reasonable Delta assumptions. The lower number is your 401K

 

It's actually the projected date you were supposed to finish type ride....Much earlier than ioe completion. But yes, it's not date of hire as it should be.

 

Wait, second year pay at AA begins at the completion of ioe? Or earlier?

 

Never count on a flow program. Do what it takes to get qualified and competitive. Build your resume with some kind of leadership position, but have some points outside of work I.e volunteer work or community leadership.

Flow programs can be renegotiated, violated, arbitrated, delayed, etc.

They may work when the economy and hiring prospects are good....

The opportunities for hiring that exist today haven’t been seen in a very long time and should not be squandered by focusing on a flow through.

 

We were told it was our projected sim completion date. This was the date on paper that was given to us after we selected aircraft type and base. I can't remember the exact date but I believe it was about 6 weeks after our date of hire. Slight delays for sim pushed back actual training dates but it was everyone's understanding that 2nd year pay was based off PROJECTED sim completion date.

 

You can 'jump the list' if you're on the flow list by getting hired OTS (of the street). But approx. 50% of AA's new hires are flows and the other 50% is roughly 80% (+/-) military. So you're competing for 20% of the total slots.

Flow guys have sat on their resumes. Most, or some, guys keep applying to 'jump the list'. I had a jumpseater who was waiting for his flow. I asked him "why? You've been a go-getter your entire career and now you're resting on your laurels waiting for the flow? Why? You're CKA ,and highly thought of, yet you've stopped pushing because you'll get a flow slot next year." About a year later I'm flying with a flow guy who jumped the list and mentioned the jump seater to him. He said "that sounds like my buddy. I was telling him the same thing. He finally got of his *ss and he got hired about 10 months early." A couple of questions later and we realize we're talking about the same guy.

I know three guys who've 'jumped the list'. A very limited sampling but all three of them stood out. Two CKA and one a long time union guy. Based on my limited experience I wouldn't plan on 'jumping the list'. It takes a long time for a young/inexperienced new hire to get to the point that he'll have the resume of the 3 guys I've met.

The industry values 500 or 1,000 hrs 121 TPIC. If an LCC is your final goal I'd leave ASAP if they hire you. If you're trying for one of the Big 4/6 I'd stay until I had 1,000 hrs 121 TPIC. Do people get hired without 1,000 hrs 121 TPIC? Of course. But do you think it's wise to forgo that because you're certain you're one of the guys that doesn't need it on your resume? IMO that's a bold move.