MoonShot

Not that there are many jobs available right now at the majors for someone to make the regional/major jump, however, I'll say this for the fence sitters that are debating leaving with/without 1000TPIC.

I'll preface this with the fact that after I upgraded I was saying that I was staying till I had my 1000 no matter what. No ifs ands or buts. I ended up leaving with 700.

I felt nice and cozy at my regional. Lots of days off, ok pay, ok seniority. As I decided what I wanted to do long term, I came down to three airlines that I was willing to leave for. Delta, SWA, UPS. These were my three hopes, otherwise I wasn't leaving at that point in my life for various reasons.

So here I am building my TPIC, Delta is hiring big time, SWA at a trickle to notta, UPS has a pool a couple years deep with little rumor of big hiring. I'm still saying that I'm not leaving without a 1000. Well, then it finally dawned on me that one of my top three (and actually my number one of those three) was hiring and I was just sitting here letting seniority go by everyday. So, last December I decided to apply with Delta. I couldn't apply at SWA/UPS because I didn't meet the mins but if they didn't have the 1000 restriction I probably would have. Long story short, got hired and put in class by March and have been very happy with my decision.

If I had waited till I was nearing my 1000 or even after it, I would have missed the hiring completely at my #1 airline!

Looking back, here are some pros/cons I've come up with for leaving before my 1000.

Pros:
- Win lose or draw I have a seniority number at my first choice airline which is soon to be the biggest airline in the world. If I get furloughed I'll take my licks, and come back when they recall me.
- Because I got in on this hiring wave, I'll be part of the equity distrubution from the merger that will be worth between $450K-700K when I retire! This is a lot money I'd have been SOL on if I'd have waited.
- Get to start planning life outside aviation a bit more long term. Not as many "what ifs" about career paths. Some important life decisions would have been put on hold indefinatly given the current state of the industry if I was still at my regional. This is not to say there aren't many "what ifs" about being at the bottom of a seniority list at $115 oil, but I have a better idea where my aviation career is going to end up.

Cons:
- Don't have 1000 TPIC. Can't apply at my other two top three without it.

In the end, I came to this conclusion when I decided to go without the 1000 TPIC. What airlines require the 1000? SWA, UPS, FedEx...missing any? When I decided to leave what were the hiring prospects at those three? SWA - wasn't interviewing, UPS - rumors that hiring would be very slow if any, Fedex- not hiring. I didn't want to sit around and miss a shot at my dream airline for those prospects. Heck, SWA even went to 1300 for a while so that 1000 is subject to change. Wish I had it, but glad I left when I did and have no regrets.

Mason32

Do you honestly think with 6B in cash sitting in their accounts that AMR won't buy something else just to keep the title? They have had it so long, and use it in ALL their advertising so heavily, that I can no see them waving as it goes away.... a whole different mentality down there in Fort Worth/DFW.... They are pretty empty in the 70-120 seat market... I'd expect them to buy something to fill the void.

Superpilot92

AA has enough on it's plate by just trying to replace the 300+ md80's it has.

Bluto

It's a personal decision so it's not really for any of us to say if you're off. You have to decide that for yourself. I do find it odd that you've had numerous people come on here and tell you from their personal experience that they would never trade what they have at the major for what they had at the regional, but for some reason, you seem to have a hard time believing it. If you need something quantifiable, run the numbers they'll almost universally suggest you take the major route. But if you listen to what people here are trying to tell you, it's not the math that makes the major a better job: It's the intangibles. If you don't want to go to a major, nobody (except maybe management at your regional) cares if you spend the next 30+ years at the same regional. For me, it was a decision made when I saw how our company chose to treat its senior pilots. Keep in mind that your feelings may change after a few more years at your regional.

Personally, the idea of peaking professionally at 28 was pretty depressing, but don't let other people's ideas about your career determine your course of action. Do some research and make your own choice. Consider listening to those who have gone before you.

johnso29

Doesn't really matter what you or I think may happen. The new DAL will be the worlds largest airline. I'm not sure the DOJ will let AA grow any larger anyway.

Lighteningspeed

Once the NWA/DAL merger goes through, and other foreign carriers like Air France and Lufthansa starts to zoom in for the kill, DOJ will change their minds and probably approve other merger proposals like the ones desparately needed by UAL and the AA. I do not see how AA or UAL can survive without a good merger with another airline.

ImEbee

As an FO? I think that is your tiebreaker right there. Reminds me of a joke.

What's better than winning a gold medal at the Special Olympics....

JetPipeOverht

Fairly good arguements on all fronts. It is not my intention to sound egotistical saying the passenger element is the ONLY way to get a sense of pride/accomplishment out of the job, just that it is another intangible ( vs cargo ) - That's all. Bluto's point of 'peaking' at 28 is a very good one in that what do you have to look forward to after that ? I'll be the first to admit i'd take a major job right now, but I suppose this is a veign attempt at justifying my position.

saab2000

So I have about 750 PIC on the CRJ. I know that most majors require at least 500, but even with that I was getting no nibbles. I applied everywhere, have contacts internally at several, squeaky clean record, etc. Nada.

For those who were hired with 500-1000 PIC (but less than 1000), what was it that got the interview? Just curious, not judgemental if someone knew somebody.

If Delta is hiring this fall, I want in and I am wondering what the secret handshake is!!

Seattlecfi

I left SkyWest for NWA and I have not regretted it once. The paycut is tough, but with the new contract and equity payout, I will be ahead before the end of year one. I was hired at NWA with 400 TPIC and don't regret leaving before the 1000. The long term will be much more lucrative and much better QOL.