Hey guys I am currently flying for a 135/91 operator on the LR-45 and C-550 and I have been with the company for 4 1/2 years and am still in the right seat...although we are typed on the planes. I had shoulder surgery in December and the healing process is most likely going to take me into long term disability and it is the companies policy to terminate the employee (I would receive part of my paycheck through insurance) and if your position is still around you start over at the bottom. After hearing this and freaking out I put a resume into Express Jet and got called for an interview the next day. The company I am at is not a career type position because we are severely underpaid but its still better than the first few years at a regional. Anyway I am newly married and the thought of sitting reserve and basically starting over is not real appealing but I have heard good things about Express Jet. I also thought this might be a good opportunity to get out of flying but I have no clue what else I would do or even what else I am remotely good at. Anyway my thoughts are to either go now to Express Jet while they are hiring a lot of guys for the next year or try to stay at my company and wait for the majors although I would be sent to the bottom of the seniority list which would probably put off my upgrade for eternity and even though I am typed in both jets and can technically log PIC on legs I fly I know the majors like to see PIC time in the form of actually signing for the airplane. I have over 4000tt and over 2000 jet. Any input or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

Express Jet. It sounds like you'll take a long time to upgrade at your current gig anyway. Why not get some 121 time AND potentially upgrade sooner. To me, that part of it is a complete no-brainer.

Now with regards to the money issue, that's not something any of us can help you out with. It's your own circumstance and only you know what you'll be able to weather finacially.

As far as getting out of flying? Face it, dude. You're like me. As bad as things are in the industry, there really isn't any appealing alternative to flying for a living. So you're probably stuck.

Oh, and one other thing..........DON'T LEAVING FLYING FOR THE WOMAN OR THE RELATIONSHIP. If it's right, she'll want you to do what you love (not to include other chicks....of course). Peace out.

 

Another possible option might be some of the 121 non-skeds. They've been known to hire guys like you into 737 and larger type aircraft. Some are furloughing and I believe some are hiring, but either way, it'd be a good resume builder. Think about it anyway.

 

People Express is hiring. Oh, by the way, if you do not sign for the aircraft you are not the PIC. Good Luck!

 

1.) interview
2.) get job offer
3.) then decide whether to accept offer or not.
4.) trust/believe only about 20% of what you read on a msg board.

 

What are 121 non-skeds?

 

It's company policy to terminate the employee if he gets injured? WTH???

 

121 non-sched. = Southern Air, Kalitta, Evergreen...etc

 

Yeah great idea for a newly-wed.

 

Where do you live? If not in one of ExpressJet's hubs (EWR, IAH, CLE) you are going to be hating life commuting to reserve. I did it, as many others on here have, but your life will be immensely improved if you live where you are based. To me that is more important than the money.

Do a little research on APC and try to find out what other options you have besides going to a regional. The writing is on the wall for the 50 seat RJ and they are being parked consistently by most of the majors. You may very well find yourself furloughed in the next few years, and right back where you are.

With your experience, you may be able to bypass the regional stepping stone and find a non-sked (as mentioned above) or even another corporate/charter gig. I would be applying EVERYWHERE and see which fish bites first. Best of luck to you!