Remain Regional CA vs ACMI FO
#1
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 134
Remain Regional CA vs ACMI FO
I'm at a fork in the road and looking for some advice on the topic:
I am a 5 year CA at a regional, with approximately 3900TT, 900 TPIC.
I hold relatively good seniority in my domicile (lineholder), and lives 15 minutes from the employee lot. I am also involved with the Union, as well as extracurricular activities (resume builders) with my current company.
I've always dreamed of one day working for FedEx, or a legacy airline.
Question: Does leaving my regional to pursue a wide body type rating, and international experience set me up better for my "end-goal", or would remaining at my current job do that?
There may also be opportunities to become a LCA, or enter the training dept. etc. with my current employer.
Also, the 1st year with the new position would be a pay cut, but I will be right back to the same pay (and perhaps more) by the second year.
I am a 5 year CA at a regional, with approximately 3900TT, 900 TPIC.
I hold relatively good seniority in my domicile (lineholder), and lives 15 minutes from the employee lot. I am also involved with the Union, as well as extracurricular activities (resume builders) with my current company.
I've always dreamed of one day working for FedEx, or a legacy airline.
Question: Does leaving my regional to pursue a wide body type rating, and international experience set me up better for my "end-goal", or would remaining at my current job do that?
There may also be opportunities to become a LCA, or enter the training dept. etc. with my current employer.
Also, the 1st year with the new position would be a pay cut, but I will be right back to the same pay (and perhaps more) by the second year.
#2
Stay put. I went from regional to ACMI to legacy. Starting out on year 1 pay twice is financially devastating. Most ACMI outfits are on the whole no better than regionals as far as pay/QOL issues are concerned. Since you drive to work the home-basing they offer isn't a selling point (not if the price you pay is ultra-long trips, as is usually the case.) I'm fairly certain heavy international time is not as impressive as more TPIC or check airman time.
You'll have plenty of time to fly heavies around the word when you get that legacy job.
Volunteer. Get a checkairman/management job.
Focus on that.
You'll have plenty of time to fly heavies around the word when you get that legacy job.
Volunteer. Get a checkairman/management job.
Focus on that.
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Aug 2011
Posts: 134
Stay put. I went from regional to ACMI to legacy. Starting out on year 1 pay twice is financially devastating. Most ACMI outfits are on the whole no better than regionals as far as pay/QOL issues are concerned. Since you drive to work the home-basing they offer isn't a selling point (not if the price you pay is ultra-long trips, as is usually the case.) I'm fairly certain heavy international time is not as impressive as more TPIC or check airman time.
You'll have plenty of time to fly heavies around the word when you get that legacy job.
Volunteer. Get a checkairman/management job.
Focus on that.
You'll have plenty of time to fly heavies around the word when you get that legacy job.
Volunteer. Get a checkairman/management job.
Focus on that.
#5
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: B757/767 Both Seats
Posts: 48
Stay put. I went from regional to ACMI to legacy. Starting out on year 1 pay twice is financially devastating. Most ACMI outfits are on the whole no better than regionals as far as pay/QOL issues are concerned. Since you drive to work the home-basing they offer isn't a selling point (not if the price you pay is ultra-long trips, as is usually the case.) I'm fairly certain heavy international time is not as impressive as more TPIC or check airman time.
You'll have plenty of time to fly heavies around the word when you get that legacy job.
Volunteer. Get a checkairman/management job.
Focus on that.
You'll have plenty of time to fly heavies around the word when you get that legacy job.
Volunteer. Get a checkairman/management job.
Focus on that.
#6
I'm at a fork in the road and looking for some advice on the topic:
I am a 5 year CA at a regional, with approximately 3900TT, 900 TPIC.
I hold relatively good seniority in my domicile (lineholder), and lives 15 minutes from the employee lot. I am also involved with the Union, as well as extracurricular activities (resume builders) with my current company.
I've always dreamed of one day working for FedEx, or a legacy airline.
Question: Does leaving my regional to pursue a wide body type rating, and international experience set me up better for my "end-goal", or would remaining at my current job do that?
There may also be opportunities to become a LCA, or enter the training dept. etc. with my current employer.
Also, the 1st year with the new position would be a pay cut, but I will be right back to the same pay (and perhaps more) by the second year.
I am a 5 year CA at a regional, with approximately 3900TT, 900 TPIC.
I hold relatively good seniority in my domicile (lineholder), and lives 15 minutes from the employee lot. I am also involved with the Union, as well as extracurricular activities (resume builders) with my current company.
I've always dreamed of one day working for FedEx, or a legacy airline.
Question: Does leaving my regional to pursue a wide body type rating, and international experience set me up better for my "end-goal", or would remaining at my current job do that?
There may also be opportunities to become a LCA, or enter the training dept. etc. with my current employer.
Also, the 1st year with the new position would be a pay cut, but I will be right back to the same pay (and perhaps more) by the second year.
The best decision is the one you don't regret! Best of luck
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2013
Position: FO
Posts: 525
If you are already at a regional flying a 70 seat jet as PIC I'd say it's only a matter of time. Assuming you don't have more than one busted ride, no DUI's etc. Just go with your ground game, job fairs, networking, community service etc., I don't think right seat of 777 or 747 will make much of a difference at this point...
I'm looking at ACMI's myself, but that's only because I'm coming back into 121 and don't want to play the regional game. But if you're already a RJ CA? You're about 75% there.
I'm looking at ACMI's myself, but that's only because I'm coming back into 121 and don't want to play the regional game. But if you're already a RJ CA? You're about 75% there.
#9
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,310
I left a captain seat at a regional with less than 1000tpic for an ACMI 747 job... fast forward five years and I'm in ground school at a regional for a captain job.
I've been updating my apps every week for three years, college degree, volunteer work, etc.
If your goal is a legacy, I'd stay. That said, I don't regret my decision.
I've been updating my apps every week for three years, college degree, volunteer work, etc.
If your goal is a legacy, I'd stay. That said, I don't regret my decision.
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2013
Position: FO
Posts: 525
I left a captain seat at a regional with less than 1000tpic for an ACMI 747 job... fast forward five years and I'm in ground school at a regional for a captain job.
I've been updating my apps every week for three years, college degree, volunteer work, etc.
If your goal is a legacy, I'd stay. That said, I don't regret my decision.
I've been updating my apps every week for three years, college degree, volunteer work, etc.
If your goal is a legacy, I'd stay. That said, I don't regret my decision.
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