undflyboy06

Greetings everyone,

I just want to start off by saying that I’ve enjoyed reading the forums in this website since I’ve joined. I’m always very interested and seeing what everyone has to say about the many topics out there. I’ve been trying to be more active and make more posts lately, but since I do not work for a 121, 135 or cargo yet it’s difficult for me to respond to the many posts on this website. However, I’m hoping, and will be very gracious if anyone can help me.

This post might be a little to early yet, but I’m wondering what regional airline or airlines would be a good choice for me to start my career?

I will be starting my final year at the university that I’m attending before I graduate in May. Like the many young individuals that start posting on this site, I’m also majoring in Commercial Aviation. By the time I graduate I will have roughly 420 TT and 110 ME hours. Even though my university just had a hiring workshop for flight instructors, I’m planning on applying and trying to become a CFI at my university in the beginning of January.

Some of the regional airlines that I’ve been looking at to start my career are Great Lakes Airlines, or Skyway Airlines. Those types of carries don’t bother me because I’m really anxious to relocate to any domiciles, and to gain experience in flying turbo props, or regional jets. I’m also planning on getting my restricted radio operators license, and to take my ATP written so I can have that on my resume, since I’m still trying to give it some life.

I know that the airline industry is a very dynamic industry, and can possibly change once again before I graduate, hopefully for the better. Again, I will be happy and very gracious for any advice that is left for me to read.

Thank You,
Undflyboy06

CWU1919

I can't say I have the airline experience, but what I can say is that from talking to people about Lakes and Skyway, the QOL and pay for both in the regional world is at the bottom of the barrels...Lakes has some cool destinations and I like their route structure but look at some of the pay scales on APC and you'll see dude how low they're willing to go to pay their pilots. And skyway, would you really enjoy being based out of Milwaukee ehhhh... if you really are adamant about making it in aviation and willing to work for absolute crap pay and QOL go for skyway or Lakes...personally I think there are much better regionals out there contrary to popular belief, give skywest or horizon or expressjet a shot you should spend a little more time researching places where you can at least have a livable income and indulge once in a while...find a place that makes you happy and in a part of the country you'll actually enjoy flying in...most of all have a little dignity for yourself man don't work for crap pay when you don't have to there are some good flying jobs out there if you look hard enough don't let anyone tell you otherwise...

undflyboy06

Thank you CWU1919 for the feedback. I know that Great Lakes and Skyway pay really isn't the best. I've just been waiting to get into the industry for sometime now, and their minimums really aren't the highest.

I was also looking into possibly Air Wisconsin, once I get more hours. To me they look pretty stable, and have a nice fleet. I was also looking at Piedmont. However, I've had people tell me that it would be a good idea to work for them, and then I've had other people tell me that I won't like working for them.

If there's anyone that has worked for Piedmont, or is currently working for them and can tell me about the company, I will definitely appreciate it.

Ottopilot

The one that hires you. Don't be picky. Take the first multi-engine job offered. I lost a few years being picky with airlines and locations. Apply everywhere and take the first offer, or if more than one offer, choose the one you want.

MustangFa1con

I don't know about the whole, 'take the first multi-engine job' approach. I bet that places like Mesa or GoJet would be pretty quick about offering a job...do you really want to jump on that "opportunity" if there are other (better) options out there? Maybe you don’t have to wait 'a few years', but don't screw yourself either.

QXrjdriver

It's a tough choice. If you want a quick airline job, you could apply to Great Lakes or Skyway and start building some multi-turbine time quickly. There are definitely better places to work from a quality of life standpoint. However, many of the better companies (Skywest, Horizon, Air Wisconsin) have higher minimums. I've heard some discussion about Skyway parking the 1900's, if that's the case you might want to be careful there from a job security standpoint. I still don't know what ExpressJet is going to do with the 69 airplanes the CAL will not be using anymore. I don't know much about Chataqua, but they'd be worth looking at. Be aware of a place like GoJet. Do your homework on them before even considering applying. Their pilots do not have the best reputation right now. Good luck!

rickair7777

Agreed, but don't do gojets. Also if you do mesa, complete their training, then immediately bail for a better regional.

CWU1919

Hmmm well bigwatch I'm happy that things worked out for you dude, but there are plenty more folks out there who sign on with Mesa and GLA and don't go anywhere. I've heard enough horror stories to scare me away from Mesa it sounds like a great way to make you not enjoy flying after a while, but like I said you sound like an exception, but then again times have changed since you were there and upgrade in 4 months, ya that was pre 9-11 I bet. There seems to be a raging conflict of upgrading vs. QOL. Nothings getting cheaper these days and the regionals certainly aren't dishing out salaries to compensate for this.. UNDFlyboy I would be warned before just sticking your head into the first place that hires you. That whole mentality might have worked pre 9-11 when a lot of regionals had really low upgrade, practically guaranteed low upgrade times, but I know it's a lot different now.Upgrade times aren't particularly guaranteed anywhere and I highly doubt you will do so in 4 months anywhere. I would just say do your research plan ahead and make sure you know what you are getting into.

LAfrequentflyer

Do you work for MESA? Is jumping ship that quickly looked down upon at interviews?

-LAFF

BigWatchPilot

Living in the NOW...thinking things will never get better...this industry lives on a 10 year cycle. Things will turn around the industry will continue to change. When I started at UND people were dropping out because you couldn't get a CFI job anywhere and this would all be a waste of time and money. It changed and changed some more.

When it comes down to it this job is only what you make it. Every job I have had I have met people that hate thier job...life...everything sucks. Even here at FedEx. I have met some people than NEED to walk through an airport terminal in their uniform and passengers/flight attendants on their jets. Flying "boxes" doesn't fill that need. I have met lots of people that say...hey...I want to be a pilot because 1) you get lots of time off of work. 2) you make lots of money. Well if you are FORTUNATE...I don't believe in luck.

It all comes down to MOTIVATION...how bad do you want it and what are you willing to do to get there. Wanting this job for the wrong reasons will make it difficult to achieve your goals. Some of the best times in my life were spent in Garden City, KS making $800 a month and eating bean burritos from taco bell....every day.