LeoSV

I don't want to fly for the Majors (don't want to be treated like cattle), but eventually wouldn't mind a regional down the line. I would like to get all my tickets and then instruct/traffic watch/tours, whatever, for a few years in my hometown. I know this is probably the best way to become experienced and safe aswell. The pay is liveable, but not so great. I was planning on using ATP for my training, but am reconsidering because many flight schools won't hire ATP graduates, except ATP, and chances are I would have to relocate to instruct at ATP. It seems like ATP is a great school to get you into the airlines as quick as possible, but no so good if you want to just advance at a slower pace. Should I just go to my local flight school, which has a great reputation, and get my INS/COM/CFI/CFII/MEI there instead of ATP? Any input would be great!! Thanks
LSV

rickair7777

Local schools and FBO's usually work great if you're not in a big rush.


But as far as regionals vs. majors...

Regionals are JUST like majors, except much worse in almost every possible aspect. If you think you won't like the Majors, you DEFINITELY won't like the regionals.

Except for a few niches, only major airlines, some corporate jobs, and a very few regionals are really good career destinations....EVERY other aviation job is filled with time builders and dues payers who are willing to work for turbine time...which undercust any chance of getting decent compensation. And at the lower end, the equipment is often poorly maintained and inadequate for the task at hand.

de727ups

"Should I just go to my local flight school, which has a great reputation, and get my INS/COM/CFI/CFII/MEI there instead of ATP?"

Sounds like you kinda answered you own question but, yeah, if your local school can get it done then that's fine. The CFI is sticky question in that most flight schools don't do a lot of CFI's. It's best to work with a school/instructor that's does quite a few. If your school does, then that's great.

As far as ATP CFI's sometimes not getting hired outside ATP. I happen to know one who did but I can see how some schools would shy away from "quickie" CFI's.

Ottopilot

I've flown for a regional and a major and I don't know what you mean.

The only ones treated like "cattle" are the hundreds of people boarding the plane. I'm sitting in the cockpit.

LeoSV

well, I'm just speaking from what I read on these forums. I don't work for any airline, so I have no experience with them. I just read an endless amount of negative things about them. and the way they are treated by management. That's all I was referring to.

CRJ-200

The only reason I wouldn't want to fly for a major is because of the risk of being furloughed. I'd rather fly for a national carrier - Frontier, Southwest, JetBlue - but I wouldn't mind flying for a good regional at all. All the pilot's I've ever talked to love their job (yes, even young ones); I just can't imagine it's as bad as you guys are making it out to be. Airline pilots I run into seem like they're on top of the world.

Ottopilot

I'm at a Legacy major and I love it. No hassles from anyone. You can lose your job just as easy at any airline. Jetblue is not doing so great. Risk of a furlough should not keep you from the majors. I've been at airlines for 11 years with only upward movement. Nationals can be absorbed into the majors. Regionals come and go and merge. I'll take my chances at a major. Big planes and big money. I went from one of the best regionals to a major and the major is so much better! Good luck.

CRJ-200

If you don't mind me asking - which regional did you fly for?

SkyHigh

You might get furloughed from a major or just plain laid off from an LCC after they shut down. I would take a furlough any day over that.

SkyHigh

rickair7777

SWA is a huge major, not a national (although they operate kind of like one).

I think Jetblue might be also?

The definition of a major airline is a little outdated...$1 Billion in annual revenue. By that definition, Eagle, Skywest, and Mesa are majors too