BuckleUp

Currently at YX and am in the hiring pool for F9 and have been for awhile now (many months). I know the general advice is to get out of the regionals asap, but considering opinions on if it truly is the right move given what I want out of the industry.

Here's my situation:

My wife and I would like to get out of New York, and northeast flying in general. Frontier seems like a decent fit for that (and excludes Jetblue unfortunately). Luckily she's WFH and a good sport with hopping anywhere to avoid me commuting...well almost anywhere...San Juan would certainly be a bummer. Having not really done day trips at YX, not sure if it's a lifestyle I'd like, but on paper seems ok, home every night with a warm meal. The downsides have certainly been noted in other threads, but big picture seems like it might be fine.

All this to say is that I'm more in the QOL camp than the money camp (but certainly will stand strong on getting what you deserve in a new contract). Would obviously like both, and chose Frontier as more of a backup to legacies not calling to at least get the QOL and bump to the resume. I'm a bit unsure though if my QOL would actually improve leaving YX. Decently high on the roster in base, and get...okay trips...early starts late finishes with long sits in between, but generally the days off I want (avg 14-15 a month).

I guess what I'm asking is, will I be kicking myself for leaving what is otherwise a fine situation and probably desirable by quite a few to move to the unknown, seems almost lateral at times. What QOL perks could I see coming to F9 or would it generally be a wash? People seem to tout it on here, seeing things like "smiles dont pay the bills" and such, but haven't really seen any real shining qualities comparatively. YX allows dropping trips at will, however that's basically been impossible for quite some time as the reserve grid is always red and nobody wants to pick up garbage trades, so every month is at least 80+ hours with no real flexibility. Otherwise the work rules from what I gather are above average, with a good plane to fly, and a generally decent operation.

Due to the long class wait and reality that a new contract may be years away, the thoughts are coming back into my head that maybe I just ride it out here at regional in hopes that maybe one day I get the call from somewhere else.

Any advice? Anything I'm missing?

Hoping maybe this post can clear up some things to consider with other people in a similar situation.

Powderkeg

My advice: make the decision expecting the worst and see if you're ok with it. What if they yank the $50k bonus before you show up? You'll probably be based in SJU against your will. Your earliest upgrade opportunity will also be in SJU. You likely won't have a new contract for 2-4 years. You'll be driving the airport half the days of the month. You will spend 8-9 hours (not including your drive to the airport) each work day but only get paid for 5-6 hours. You could be asked to go on strike. The next contact will not be "Delta +1". You'll hear about our great work rules but be disappointed when the grid is red on the day you need off. You've been told how great it is to swap into better trips but will realize the trips are more or less the same. You won't be talking about the all-inclusive in PUJ or CUN.

Now, that being said...barrng some nasty skeletons in your closet the quickest path to the legacies (for many) is getting hired at F9 (or NK).

BuckleUp

Appreciate the advice, and that’s basically what the wife and I are mentally planning for. NY has reached its limits for us and we’re thinking perhaps we deal with San Juan for a few months and get a base transfer to something more in line with family life.

No skeletons, two degrees, no failures…no call. Oh well. Sounds like we stay the course with F9 to hopefully have it be the trigger.

westcoastj

Okay, I'm gonna be blunt....

you're asking if you should stay at a regional airline that could disapeer at any time if contracts are pulled, or you could go to an airline that will get a new contract in the (hopefully) near future and has plans to literally double in 3-4 years...

Southwest stopped hiring
Jetblue is super slow on hiring
Spirit is not hiring
Delta is on the downturn of their hiring peak

So that currently leaves AA/UAL, and I guess a couple other players.

My question is, would you be okay to be stuck doing 4 leg days at YX and not having 15% 401K comp for the next 7-10 years? Keep in mind the regional rates could easily go back down to lower wages in a downturn and legacies can't substize the regionals current increased rates...

If they need 15 pilots per airplane that's 136X15= 2040 new pilots which is basically doubling the senority list as it stands right now.

NEVER STAY AT A REGIONAL.... LET ME REPEAT, NEVER STAY AT A REGIONAL.

You might get SJU for a couple of months, but with the potential growth I would assume you could go to any base as an FO in a matter of months, not years. Make the leap, I think you would be kicking yourself if you never made the leap out of the regionals just for a downturn to happen and you get stuck....

Nacho Libre

This 💯get out now and deal with the short term pain and rapid call to someplace else. If you end up enjoying your time here it’s your decision to make. It’s a great jet, good crews, and an airline that is really scheduled to grow. (No guarantees)

The 15% DC is lots of retirement money and worth leaving for. The good news is that we have high FO attrition so you will advance fairly quickly.

Swapapotamoose

this X 1000. Do not gamble on a regional job man. SJU is actually kinda cool if you’re in the right area, you’re willing to grind it out IF you get sent there, I’d take that F9 class and never look back. Meanwhile keep the apps up to date. Good luck.

VacancyBid

You don't turn down jobs at airlines that sell their own tickets

Beans Johnston

Just come here, and embrace the suck. Still pretty fun, just a lot of stuff is f@cked up right now.

HSCompressor

Deleted disregard.

dracir1

Mr Buckle,

Just curious but did you not see the many other numerous threads discussing this very topic (regional vs ULCC)?