Considering staying at my regional?
#15
Layover Master
Joined APC: Jan 2013
Position: Seated
Posts: 4,311
Stay, pad your savings account/pay off your house (cars, credit whatever), and aim higher than JB.
Not a dig on JB, but cash those checks while you can and apply hard at top tier airlines. There has never been a better hiring environment.
Not a dig on JB, but cash those checks while you can and apply hard at top tier airlines. There has never been a better hiring environment.
#16
Regionals are doubling their pay for a reason: desperation.
The entire regional model is in question right now, and not all current regionals will survive to the end of the decade. For those that do, as soon as the pilot shortage eases the environment will be ripe for startup regionals to come in with lower compensation and start under-cutting the established pilot groups. That's how the regional business is SUPPOSED to work... if it doesn't, there's no reason for it.
Also... regional raises (even temporary) are a good thing for LCC pilots, since LCC's will have to raise THEIR pay to compete for and retain qualified applicants.
Another also... in general things are better at the majors. The same hourly pay rate will probably get you more W2 (and OT opportunity if desired) at a major.
That said, what might be a good reason to stay would be short-term QOL and/or short-term stability... if you're 55 years old with kids in school, bidding 15% in base then yeah that's a tough case to make. The less senior and less old you are, the more the case favors leaving.
The entire regional model is in question right now, and not all current regionals will survive to the end of the decade. For those that do, as soon as the pilot shortage eases the environment will be ripe for startup regionals to come in with lower compensation and start under-cutting the established pilot groups. That's how the regional business is SUPPOSED to work... if it doesn't, there's no reason for it.
Also... regional raises (even temporary) are a good thing for LCC pilots, since LCC's will have to raise THEIR pay to compete for and retain qualified applicants.
Another also... in general things are better at the majors. The same hourly pay rate will probably get you more W2 (and OT opportunity if desired) at a major.
That said, what might be a good reason to stay would be short-term QOL and/or short-term stability... if you're 55 years old with kids in school, bidding 15% in base then yeah that's a tough case to make. The less senior and less old you are, the more the case favors leaving.
#17
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Posts: 777
Regionals are doubling their pay for a reason: desperation.
The entire regional model is in question right now, and not all current regionals will survive to the end of the decade. For those that do, as soon as the pilot shortage eases the environment will be ripe for startup regionals to come in with lower compensation and start under-cutting the established pilot groups. That's how the regional business is SUPPOSED to work... if it doesn't, there's no reason for it.
Also... regional raises (even temporary) are a good thing for LCC pilots, since LCC's will have to raise THEIR pay to compete for and retain qualified applicants.
Another also... in general things are better at the majors. The same hourly pay rate will probably get you more W2 (and OT opportunity if desired) at a major.
That said, what might be a good reason to stay would be short-term QOL and/or short-term stability... if you're 55 years old with kids in school, bidding 15% in base then yeah that's a tough case to make. The less senior and less old you are, the more the case favors leaving.
The entire regional model is in question right now, and not all current regionals will survive to the end of the decade. For those that do, as soon as the pilot shortage eases the environment will be ripe for startup regionals to come in with lower compensation and start under-cutting the established pilot groups. That's how the regional business is SUPPOSED to work... if it doesn't, there's no reason for it.
Also... regional raises (even temporary) are a good thing for LCC pilots, since LCC's will have to raise THEIR pay to compete for and retain qualified applicants.
Another also... in general things are better at the majors. The same hourly pay rate will probably get you more W2 (and OT opportunity if desired) at a major.
That said, what might be a good reason to stay would be short-term QOL and/or short-term stability... if you're 55 years old with kids in school, bidding 15% in base then yeah that's a tough case to make. The less senior and less old you are, the more the case favors leaving.
A very wise post.
To the original poster - Every move in aviation is a gamble to an extent, but I don’t recall anyone ever saying “I wish I stayed at my regional”.
Good luck.
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2011
Position: Admiral
Posts: 726
Regionals offering major pay is part of the last dying breath of the regional model. The only reason to stay at a regional, is if you are fairly confident on making it directly to a legacy sooner than later.
#19
Line Holder
Joined APC: Apr 2022
Position: A320 captain
Posts: 91
You’re right. Starting a career at JetBlue nowadays could be a great pathway to a rewarding career, but if the original poster really wanted JetBlue he wouldn’t have started this thread. In this hiring climate he shouldn’t have to wait long.
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