Bad lateral move?
09-21-2013, 10:03 AM
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Position: CRJ Left
Posts: 265
Bad lateral move?
Hello all,
I am a newbie here. Currently, I am a relatively new hire with a regional carrier flying CRJ's. I'm on month 10 out of ORD. I live in MIA area. The last ten months have been the hardest period of my life financially. I'm tapped out. I'm burnt out on not having any money. Aside from that the flying is great. The company sucks.
Lately I've been offered a class date with a 121 charter flying MD-83's for more than double what I make now based at home. Its a small outfit with about 6 jets. Would this hurt my chances later on trying to make it to a major 121 carrier flying an older aircraft under charter regs? In all honesty I don't think I can hack it anymore financially. I'm 27 no kids single. My expenses are minimal and I still struggle. Is it a bad move or a no brainer?
I am a newbie here. Currently, I am a relatively new hire with a regional carrier flying CRJ's. I'm on month 10 out of ORD. I live in MIA area. The last ten months have been the hardest period of my life financially. I'm tapped out. I'm burnt out on not having any money. Aside from that the flying is great. The company sucks.
Lately I've been offered a class date with a 121 charter flying MD-83's for more than double what I make now based at home. Its a small outfit with about 6 jets. Would this hurt my chances later on trying to make it to a major 121 carrier flying an older aircraft under charter regs? In all honesty I don't think I can hack it anymore financially. I'm 27 no kids single. My expenses are minimal and I still struggle. Is it a bad move or a no brainer?
09-21-2013, 10:35 AM
#2
Where's my Mai Tai?
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: fins to the left, fins to the right
Posts: 1,731
Couple things. If you moved to base, life would get better. As far as being broke, living in South FL is expensive. Single and no kids, what holds you there? If Chicago doesn't appeal to you, I'm sure there are other bases.
As far as the charter company, you need to look at your ultimate goal. Where do you want to end up and what are the quals you need to get there. Will the charter outfit give you those quals.
How much does the charter outfit fly? Keep in mind it is probably feast or famine.
What is upgrade time? How are the benefits besides pay? Do you have a schedule or is it strictly on call? Who does the training? Future growth plans?
As far as the charter company, you need to look at your ultimate goal. Where do you want to end up and what are the quals you need to get there. Will the charter outfit give you those quals.
How much does the charter outfit fly? Keep in mind it is probably feast or famine.
What is upgrade time? How are the benefits besides pay? Do you have a schedule or is it strictly on call? Who does the training? Future growth plans?
09-21-2013, 11:08 AM
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2011
Posts: 270
Originally Posted by Swedish Blender
Future growth plans?
And don't assume that even if a new plane shows up on the ramp or a new base gets opened up that you will be able to upgrade or move: often upgrades or assignments are pre-determined in ways that may seem to be unfair.
In evaluating a potential employer one is less likely to be disappointed if one assumes that "what I see right now is what I get."
09-21-2013, 05:21 PM
#4
Part Time
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: Chief Pilot PC-12NG
Posts: 629
What if you never make it to a 121 Major at all in your career? Things change a lot. You might want to be at a 121 Major now, but what if you get an incredible offer that takes your flying career elsewhere. Because of this, I would pick the job that offers YOU the best qol in terms of pay, schedule and happiness.
You have a hard choice. I have had a lot of hard choices, but in the end it has worked out for me and I have no regrets. I hope the same happens for you.
Best of luck on which ever decision you make.
You have a hard choice. I have had a lot of hard choices, but in the end it has worked out for me and I have no regrets. I hope the same happens for you.
Best of luck on which ever decision you make.
09-22-2013, 08:33 AM
#5
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,293
121 Charter is fine, majors will be fine with that (assuming that flight time and upgrade opportunities are comparable).
But I would consider moving to ORD first...fun town if you're single. No need to repeat new hire training, probation, and exposure yourself to training event failure more than necessary. Count yourself fortunate that you're single and flexible.
Consider how much flight time you would build at charter vs. regional, opportunity for upgrade/TPIC, and stability of both companies. If you're going to be flying 180 hours/year with upgrade in 2028 maybe stick with the regional.
But I would consider moving to ORD first...fun town if you're single. No need to repeat new hire training, probation, and exposure yourself to training event failure more than necessary. Count yourself fortunate that you're single and flexible.
Consider how much flight time you would build at charter vs. regional, opportunity for upgrade/TPIC, and stability of both companies. If you're going to be flying 180 hours/year with upgrade in 2028 maybe stick with the regional.
09-22-2013, 10:56 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 156
Originally Posted by FLYMIA
Hello all,
I am a newbie here. Currently, I am a relatively new hire with a regional carrier flying CRJ's. I'm on month 10 out of ORD. I live in MIA area. The last ten months have been the hardest period of my life financially. I'm tapped out. I'm burnt out on not having any money. Aside from that the flying is great. The company sucks.
Lately I've been offered a class date with a 121 charter flying MD-83's for more than double what I make now based at home. Its a small outfit with about 6 jets. Would this hurt my chances later on trying to make it to a major 121 carrier flying an older aircraft under charter regs? In all honesty I don't think I can hack it anymore financially. I'm 27 no kids single. My expenses are minimal and I still struggle. Is it a bad move or a no brainer?
I am a newbie here. Currently, I am a relatively new hire with a regional carrier flying CRJ's. I'm on month 10 out of ORD. I live in MIA area. The last ten months have been the hardest period of my life financially. I'm tapped out. I'm burnt out on not having any money. Aside from that the flying is great. The company sucks.
Lately I've been offered a class date with a 121 charter flying MD-83's for more than double what I make now based at home. Its a small outfit with about 6 jets. Would this hurt my chances later on trying to make it to a major 121 carrier flying an older aircraft under charter regs? In all honesty I don't think I can hack it anymore financially. I'm 27 no kids single. My expenses are minimal and I still struggle. Is it a bad move or a no brainer?
09-25-2013, 10:41 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Sep 2013
Position: CRJ Left
Posts: 265
Thanks for the replies. Lots of good points and things to consider. Truthfully, this gig seems almost too good to be true. Ive been in talks with them for a while and it wasn't until recently that something had opened up. As of right now the ultimate goal is a 121 major. I am flexible though. The company seems to keep the crews flying regularly and my contact who brought me in loves it. So, fingers crossed.
As of writing this post I just got confirmation for a class in 2 weeks! Very excited. Thanks for the advice guys. Upgrade is at a year and a half but that could be taken for what its worth.
As of writing this post I just got confirmation for a class in 2 weeks! Very excited. Thanks for the advice guys. Upgrade is at a year and a half but that could be taken for what its worth.
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