Go Back  Airline Pilot Central Forums > Airline Pilot Forums > Major
How many pilots like the majors? >

How many pilots like the majors?

Notices
Major Legacy, National, and LCC

How many pilots like the majors?

Old 08-24-2006, 07:57 AM
  #1  
New Hire
Thread Starter
 
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Posts: 7
Default How many pilots like the majors?

Flying in the majors is a goal of mine. I would love to fly large complex aircraft and get paid very well to do so with plenty of time off. I have heard though that there are a lot of negatives as well (furloughs, corporate greed, bankruptcy, job-insecurity). How many here have had good expeiences vs. negative experiences?
LoveToFly is offline  
Old 08-24-2006, 09:50 AM
  #2  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Ottopilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 2,575
Default

It was my goal too. Life is not perfect. I'm flying at a major and take a 767 to Amsterdam tonight. I can put up with the other little stuff. I get paid to do what I like. I won't do anything else.
Ottopilot is offline  
Old 08-24-2006, 10:01 AM
  #3  
SDQ Base Chief
 
Flyby1206's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: 320 CA
Posts: 5,549
Default

In a related question, those of you have done the regional route and made it to a major. Is QOL that much better at a major? I am sure it was back in the day, but currently it seems the gap is closing between the two. If you were to do it over, would it make more sense to stick with a 'solid' regional and collect your 80-90k and get 18-20 days off per month?
Flyby1206 is online now  
Old 08-24-2006, 10:19 AM
  #4  
Gets Weekends Off
 
CVG767A's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2005
Position: 767ER capt
Posts: 1,190
Default

If you work for an airline with good work rules, it's much better. Even at airlines where the rules have been gutted, I've heard that the wide-body trips are still good.

I don't know what a senior RJ schedule looks like, but I typically fly a 4 day trip with 4-6 legs total, worth 21-24 hours pay. Layovers are typically 14-20 hours. If you fly to Europe, a three day trip has 2 legs, a 24 hour layover, and is worth 17-20 hours pay.

Last edited by CVG767A; 08-24-2006 at 10:23 AM.
CVG767A is offline  
Old 08-24-2006, 11:32 AM
  #5  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Ottopilot's Avatar
 
Joined APC: May 2006
Position: 737 CA
Posts: 2,575
Default

Originally Posted by Flyby1206 View Post
In a related question, those of you have done the regional route and made it to a major. Is QOL that much better at a major? I am sure it was back in the day, but currently it seems the gap is closing between the two. If you were to do it over, would it make more sense to stick with a 'solid' regional and collect your 80-90k and get 18-20 days off per month?

I was a senior Captain and checkairman at Expressjet (number 14 in KEWR and under 50 in the company out of 3000 pilots), and I can tell you the major is much better. I left $90K for new hire at a major. The quality of life is better and I'll get my pay back soon and more. Less legs, more days off, more productive flying, better destinations, etc.

9 year CA pay at Express = 2 year FO (widebody) pay at CAL.
New hires (some) are getting 767 & 777 in EWR. I'm taking a 767 tonight to Europe. To each their own, I'll take the major any day.
Ottopilot is offline  
Old 08-24-2006, 03:30 PM
  #6  
Need More Callouts
 
757Driver's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: Unbridled Enthusiasm
Posts: 2,143
Default

Originally Posted by Ottopilot View Post
I was a senior Captain and checkairman at Expressjet (number 14 in KEWR and under 50 in the company out of 3000 pilots), and I can tell you the major is much better. I left $90K for new hire at a major. The quality of life is better and I'll get my pay back soon and more. Less legs, more days off, more productive flying, better destinations, etc.

9 year CA pay at Express = 2 year FO (widebody) pay at CAL.
New hires (some) are getting 767 & 777 in EWR. I'm taking a 767 tonight to Europe. To each their own, I'll take the major any day.
RT,

Tell Hermack he's a big PE loser for me. Enjoy AMS and I hope you get a Business First seat for the deadhead.
757Driver is offline  
Old 08-24-2006, 04:02 PM
  #7  
Gets Weekends Off
 
captjns's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Posts: 5,886
Default

I'll tell you what. The worst day in the cockpit still beats the best day sitting behind a boaring stationary desk.
captjns is offline  
Old 08-24-2006, 04:20 PM
  #8  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Overnitefr8's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Apr 2006
Position: 767 CA
Posts: 1,876
Default

Originally Posted by Flyby1206 View Post
If you were to do it over, would it make more sense to stick with a 'solid' regional and collect your 80-90k and get 18-20 days off per month?
The only problem is, a solid regional or major today, might not be one tomorrow. So you'll never know if you made the right choice until you retire.
Overnitefr8 is offline  
Old 08-24-2006, 05:58 PM
  #9  
Gets Weekends Off
 
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: A320 CA
Posts: 973
Default

Originally Posted by Flyby1206 View Post
would it make more sense to stick with a 'solid' regional and collect your 80-90k and get 18-20 days off per month?
18-20 days off a month???Please step away from the crack pipe my friend..
reddog25 is offline  
Old 08-24-2006, 06:22 PM
  #10  
SDQ Base Chief
 
Flyby1206's Avatar
 
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: 320 CA
Posts: 5,549
Default

Originally Posted by reddog25 View Post
18-20 days off a month???Please step away from the crack pipe my friend..
Well for sept we have 8 lines with 19 days off, 11 lines with 18 days off. They are either 3 day trips or day trips. Nothing with 20 this month, but it happens. 92 lines total. So, 20% of the lines have at least 18 days off.
Flyby1206 is online now  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
nw320driver
Foreign
35
10-15-2010 07:41 PM
nw320driver
Major
15
11-17-2006 07:45 AM
flystraightin
Major
4
05-31-2006 06:31 AM
HSLD
Flight Schools and Training
2
05-14-2006 09:07 AM
RockBottom
Major
0
04-29-2005 07:26 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Your Privacy Choices