rightside02

I say your chances are great. I would do what you want, and if at any point it's not your cup of whiskey than move on. Airline that is that based in your home town would really than be a plus. If money wasn't such a concern living in base, I would think you would have a great time.


Good luck.

HercDriver130

.02 cents worth..... IF you can fly for a company that has a base where you live or very near by I would say give it a whirl..... IF it required a commute I would think long and hard about it, if not only for the reason that commuting via Jump Seat is becoming harder and harder as the airlines keep capacity in check. I guess the other thing would be if you have the ability to move and don't mind moving then give it a shot. As for your qualifications...... you would likely have better numbers than 95% of the guys in your class.

Cruise

Like others have said, your qualifications are fine and you would be competetive in an interview.

So if it's what you want to do, I say......Go for it!!! Don't let the nay sayers squash your dreams!

block30

If I may be so brash, I *think* what Unlimited Akro is saying is that when people come on the forums and ask about 121 flying like it is a neat thing to do for a little bit, that mind set cheapens the career, or frustrates people who have been working doggedly to even make it to a 121 gig. Zero to hero programs being worse.

I don't know how accurate the doctor comparison is, but if some one said 'after retiring from X main line at age 65 I will do family practice just for kicks because I got my MD certs awhile ago before I started flying. Since I already have a retirement check, my med practice will just be at cost.'. And now the young doc in town with their new practice and a TON of debt is thinking oh great. Again, not a one for one analogy, just trying to see things Unlimited's way (I think)

With that said, the OP has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share. That will be recognized all over. Probably won't get main line, but you know the deal. Kinda surprised at the number of career changers that want either corporate or 121.... It's as if good 135 or CFI gigs never get asked about. You could probably freelance instruct and set your own price. Best wishes, let us know how things go.

USMCFLYR

Quantity of traffic
You know that part of the pay is based on the quantity of traffic at the facility right?
I think you might be the one here with a attitude problem (ego) if this is all you are willing to add to the dicussion.

To the OP and others - since when did it become a rule that only one career (especially in a field with a mandatory retirement) was allowed? How would it fly if I said after finishing an airline career that if you wanted to start your own business then you would be taking away the opportunity from some 20 year old with the same business idea. Pretty ridiculous eh? If he takes a job at a regional, he'll take the same wage and put up with the same crap that any new hire puts up with in the beginning.
OP - it certainly seems like you are asking for the short end of the stick by looking at Regional flying. You obviously have experience and have already been (or currently are) a professional pilot so I'm not sure what it is that draws you to Regional flying. Seems to me that you already have a prett ygood deal or could find another. If you decide to do this - I hope you go in with a real deep look at the pros and cons of this endeavor.

USMCFLYR

skyxbomb

Quote:
Originally Posted by UnlimitedAkro
What is the difference between working at a "fairly decent sized approach control" and working at "approach control"...... besides a giant ego?

This industry has reached a new low when people are retiring from their other careers to fly RJs for pennies because they think it might be fun to try for a while. I am going to throw up.



Yea it's better to fly RJs for pennies from the get go like you? And blame the rest of the world for your short comings. I'm pretty sure the "decent size approach control" is in reference to his financial stability. Not all atc make great money. Write that down...

Please give us a little background on yourself before disrespecting someone who has put in 30 plus years in keeping us safe in the skies and probably still has more flight experience than you.

Things will get better for pilots. Firmly believe it. But I'm sure you will have something else to complain about then.

Not lashing out at you but the idea of someone like you. I went to riddle with 6 figure loans even with scholarships and 6 year delay due to personal reasons and was furloughed 2.5 years to be where I am now. My glass is still half full. Call me naive but good things happen to people with good attitudes. I can attest to that.

Will

Do it but to a regional that you can eventually be based close to home so can just drive in. I am a firm believer of checking as many boxes as you can in life.

satpak77

Why wouldn't they ? I would rather have this guy than some 22 year old with acne and 800 TT in a Seminole

xcop

If it has been a dream of yours do it, I did. I was a police officer for 25+years(flying on the side). Retired spent 4.5 years at Mesa was picked up at AT now heading for SWA. So far it has worked for me(but,timing is everything). I would say make sure you keep the commute down to one leg. If somehow you are able to live in base you will love it. Have fun. P.S. I hope that guy that is throwing up feels better soon.

UnlimitedAkro

There are many of us who really do this as a career and need to pay the bills. The backlog in majors hiring, decline in quality of life at both majors and regionals, and decline in pay has caused this to become far less of an attractive career for many. However that has not stopped large numbers of people to continue to flock to the regional airlines- usually because they have a very strong love for aviation or aviation is their hobby. Either way, the large number of pilots who have flocked to the regionals over the last 6 or 8 years have all said "I knew how low the pay was, but I still love it and want to do this job."

It sure sounds very similar to what this retiring ATC is saying. Just curious, what if every rich early retiring baby boomer with a pilots license decided to go to the regionals with the mentality of "I know they pay is low, I understand that coming into the job, however I love it and I have wanted to do this for a long time...". Then we are all doomed.