Airline Pilot Central Forums - regional vs. major

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Quote:

Originally Posted by weirdbiz (Post 452886)

The thing is, if you go to a major, you'll have however many years at a regional and then a bunch MORE years going through the same crappy lifestyle at a major. More reserve, more bad schedules, low pay, low seniority, working holidays and away from family... this could last for quite a few years because the majors are filled with old guys who are going nowhere, age 65, and seniority lists with thousands more people than regionals.
.

A major is always better than a regional. I've done both. No such thing as a bad schedule at a major (compared to a regional schedule). I sat reserve for about 2 months. Low pay? 2nd year FO pay = 9 year RJ CA pay. I made $150/hr in my third year. Holidays? Maybe, I've never worked one yet. Overnights? Compare Aruba and Honolulu with regional overnights like Albany and Louisville. I made have had it better, faster than most, but I'd still say the worst day at a major is better than the best day at a regional. I did 9 years at a regional, so I have an idea. :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by weirdbiz (Post 452886)

The most senior guys at Eagle fly mostly day trips, get 18 days off a month, and make around 100k. That's a good gig, if you live in base. The catch is that it takes 15 years to get there, and most of those years suck. The thing is, if you go to a major, you'll have however many years at a regional and then a bunch MORE years going through the same crappy lifestyle at a major. More reserve, more bad schedules, low pay, low seniority, working holidays and away from family... this could last for quite a few years because the majors are filled with old guys who are going nowhere, age 65, and seniority lists with thousands more people than regionals.
The point is, if you're lucky, you could have a decent gig at a major airline 15 years after you start, making more money than the decent gig you would get staying at a regional for 15 years. For that additional money, you have to slog through more crap and take more risks. It just depends what's worth it to you.

Don't forget that AMR is trying to unload eagle as we speak. They will incentivize the purchaser with a few years of guaranteed contract...after which eagle will be bidding for their own jobs (see XJET for more details about how this works).

I'd take the major airline...certainly no guarantees there, but probably more stable on average.

Quote:

Originally Posted by weirdbiz (Post 452886)

After all of that........go corporate!!!!!;)

atp