Should I go back?
 

I flew for Trans States in mid 2007 and all of 2008. I quit shortly after my furlough notice was given to me and haven't flown "professionally" since then other than some CFI work.

I am a finance guy for a Fortune 300 waste company these days and have done very well for myself in the last decade. I bought my own airplane and fly about 110 hours a year in that capacity, but it's all VFR "weekend warrior" type hobby flying. But, I do fly regularly and have been, so there's that.

2,500 hr TT, 1,000 in the right seat of the EMB-145 at Trans States. But haven't sat in a jet in over a decade now.

I make right at six figures now, so will take a pretty good pay cut to go back. But, I'm tossing the idea around. It sounds like with the "shortage" in place now and hiring line movement, life could be pretty good in a couple to three years.

I live in Lakeland, FL and have no interest in moving, so I'd have to commute. I did the MCO to STL thing for 18 months. Ughhh. Which regionals have domiciles closer to me that are commutable (i.e. not 6 pilots trying to get a ride to work every flight)?

Check into Silver Airways if close to work is more important than $$. They are in Orlando, Tampa, and Ft Lauderdale.

BTW, I'm in Winter Haven and hopefully they will still have jobs available when I'm ready, lol.

You honestly may as well submit an app to Frontier, you’re not necessarily competitive, but you never know, especially if you visit them at a career fair.

Other that that, not much in the regional world in MCO. That said, the commute to PHL isn’t too bad, lots of daily options. JFK/LGA also quite doable. To that end, consider Republic, Piedmont, Endeavor and Envoy. Others can chime in on the commute to CLT and other east coast bases.

I used to be based at GIF, but am based at BOW now. Are you still a student? If you ever want a ride in the Cherokee, let me know. We can grab lunch somewhere and chat. I usually fly with an empty seat over there so some company is always good! Send me a PM with phone number.

Silver airways, interesting. I know a couple of folks who fly for them. I'd take a financial bath though! Ughh. $34 1st year FO, let's assume 90 hours pay for a month, plus per diems, and sign on bonus (12k right now??), I'm looking at about 50-52k first year, I guess. Then year two about 40k (1 dollar increase per hour, no bonus). Once upgraded, I'd make about 58k.

I am just beginning. I am almost done with my ground school and plan to start flying by June. I'm also in the finance business and would love to get recommendations from someone more experienced.

I'm willing to pitch in for gas and lunch on me anytime you want to go fly!

PM Sent

Wouldn't hurt to apply to Allegiant, either. Worst that can happen is they say to come back when you have some PIC time.

Lets do it. My bird goes into annual next weekend for several weeks. Then I am getting an autopilot installed in it. So, it'll probably mid June until it's back in the air. We can grab some grub at the BOW restaurant in the short term, though.

Have you considered Part 91 or 135 flying? There’s quite a bit around that area.

Like what?