People will take career advancement and titles over wages. I was not happy with my wages however it was fun and exciting to be involved with a dynamic company that seemed to offer professional advancement and unlimited possibilities. When I hired on National Airlines was a very hot prospect. It seemed as though it could be the next SWA.

High time pilots were lined up at the door to get in. Whenever I jump seated on a legacy the pilots would often question me as to the best way to get hired at N7. It was pretty cool. However all I really wanted was to upgrade and get out of there to Alaska Airlines. I did not really care about the long term wages or plans for world domination. All I wanted was a stepping stone to my goal.

The ironic thing was that when I did get an interview at Alaska Airlines all they wanted to know from me was "why didn't I want to go to DAL, UAL or SWA"? They had a strong inferiority complex at the time.

Times are different now. The decision to go to a legacy is not so clear anymore. Would a pilot prefer to make 60K as a perpetual FO at a dying legacy or as captain at a bright and new LCC? Had I been a new FO at a LCC today even with the lower wages I don't think I would be too quick to try and make a jump to a legacy.


SKyhigh

 

Yes, times have changed, but people frequently make the mistake of thinking that they won't change again. A Regional or LCC may be a good spot for the time being, but the legacies will hire and upgrade before long, since the "age 65" rule only delayed retirements. Many of the "bright and new" carriers will someday be neither, if they are still in business at all. You have seen this cycle firsthand, and will see it again. For confirmation, watch as the young pilots "vote with their feet".

 

The legacies have bigger problems then just retirements. They seem to be on track to constrict over the foreseeable future. It is true that most start ups will be dust in a few years however a few are able stick around. At a start up an ambitious pilot in a year or two could upgrade in a brand new 737 or they could waste away on reserve for years at a stagnating legacy flying 30 year old dumpsters.

Playing the LCC game is a gamble however these days so is investing yourself into a legacy. Career satisfaction has a powerful draw especially now that it is not so clear as to what the best path is. Make 60K as the captain of a new Airbus or the same while sitting on reserve in a dirty city as a legacy FO with an uncertain future?

If I was a new pilot today I think my goals would change from legacies to a flexjet type of operation or start up airline.

Skyhigh