FLowpayFO

Be prepared to be told a lot of stuff. Easiest thing you can do is act like you've never heard their advice before because you will fly with Captains that think they are gods gift to this planet and feel that NASA astronauts are inferior to them, so they know EVERYTHING, even if its about the well being of your life. Just be careful on what fights you pick during the first year on probation, crew rooms love to talk..

Stryker

I understand what you are saying, but its coming across wrong because its typed.... What everyone else is saying is just keep that "glad to have a job" mentality... It is GREAT that you have made good financial decisions and have little debt and are good to go. If more people started out like that in this industry there would probably be less people jaded by the regionals. Sure it sucks making less than 30k to start, but in this current economy you should be thankful for what you have.

A good attitude in this business goes a long way as there are plenty of things that can make you mad/miserable... Life is way too short to be unhappy all the time...

coldpilot

I would take the advice of Cruz5350 and others over the past few weeks that have mentioned some of your postings. It is entirely possible that the context of your posts is misunderstood simply because this is an internet forum.

One piece of advice that I have is don't expect to be making bank for the first few years. It's possible that you MAY NOT get a Turbojet FO spot. I was hired in 2008 and have been living on turboprop pay for the past 3 years. I made $19,000 gross my first year, and $26,000 in both my second and third years. Per diem is not included in those figures because you can't count on it sitting on reserve. I rarely picked up OT because I have a life and a family that is worth more to me than busting my rear for an extra couple dollars and hour.

With that said, take my advice and listen to some of us that have been here for awhile rather than jump down our throats when we try to give you advice.

Check the attitude at the door, study hard, take some time to relax and drink a beer with your classmates. Enjoy class but remember you're here to work and don't forget that you are on probation for 12 months.

Cruz5350

Many live on/under 25K, but there is nothing great about regional FO pay no matter how many years you've been on the job. My cousin has been an AE FO for near 10 years until he recently upgraded. Even at 10 years his pay was pathetic, btw it may be a monetary raise, but the amount of work and time spent away from home are not worth a meager few grand raise at best. Heck not even a 10K raise over what your making is worth it.

lakehouse

you hit the nail on the head......now back on track, who is going to the Feb 14th CLASS, and what city are you aiming for??

TrojanCMH

Haha this thread cracks me up. I haven't been to eagle but have a handful of friends there and like most other regionals it's going to suck pretty bad at the beginning. Say goodbye to your girlfriend for the first year and any semblance to a normal life you may have.

But by all means get excited about your new job and enjoy it while it lasts. Once the greatness of flying a big 50 seat jet wears off and you realize you're grossly underpaid (doesn't matter if you're used to being on food stamps or you have a trust fund waiting to be spent) for what we're all doing you'll start to become bitter and jaded like the rest of us. Also spike your hair and wear your iPod headphones all the time, the old timers love it. But either way congrats and welcome to the suck that is 121 regional flying. And remember you don't know more than the instructor, cooperate and graduate, and don't stick out or make a name for yourself. If you really want to fit in just complain about anything and everything. It's one thing all airline pilots have in common.

Oh yeah and if anyone at a bar asks what you do don't tell them you're an airline pilot. It doesn't pull any ass...

lakehouse

I get what your saying, and again its text on the computer, lacks a place for sarcasm...however I have known this game, very well, since I was 5, and I am along for the ride. I have been smart enough to not have much of a home to leave and one reason I chose Eagle is because it SHOULD make it possible that I will not have to commute...hopefully...trust me I use every bit of advice you guys give me, even if you think I am being a little punk, I listen, sorry if I get defensive, but nothing in my life has turned out any different then I was told it would be.

Cruz5350

Best of luck if you get the EMB let me know.

lakehouse

Will do, are you out of NY?

ryan1234

You rent your girlfriend? How does that work out?