AZPilotMike

I have a thread going about commuting and I was starting to think about how strong the flow really was for Envoy. I get that you don't have to interview, but I see it one of two ways.

1. The demand will be pretty strong for everyone in a few years and the main lines will have to either lower their requirements for entry or perhaps start hiring FO's with just SIC time.

2. The industry will suck ass and we will all be in the same boat as 08 again, in which case the flow will be worthless.

So I guess my questions are, am I seeing this correctly and if not, what do you think the requirements for a main line will be? I am working on a degree and will finish for my own satisfaction, but there are lots of guys I know that are not even bothering with it, hoping to god that the demand is high enough that they won't be needed.

Anyway, just some brainstorming. So far all the help has been great and I sincerely appreciate the time some of you have taken to help me. This feels like a really big decision between Skywest and Envoy.

Arliss

The mainline/legacies already hire lots of regional FOs, especially the LCCs.

Rahlifer

Whatever you do, finish your degree. It will open many more opportunities for you with quality companies. Preferably you're majoring in something completely unrelated to aviation that you can fall back on during a furlough. Everybody is printing money right now, but airlines are incredibly unstable and go through constant boom/bust cycles. Always have plan B and C in place.

Bozo the pilot

Could not agree more- Get the degree.

MD-11Loader

Finish the degree. The flow should be the back pocket option for anyone at a WO carrier.

minimwage4

Dude, you exhibit the classic signs of the millennial generation. All these threads have been answered many times, many times. Just search. I want it all right now or preferably yesterday. Nobody here, unless their dad is a mainline CA, had their initial plan workout in this industry. It is totally unpredictable. So many things have to right for you to endup where you're dreaming about now.

Don't look at it from the point of view of what will get me to mainline, you will be miserable. Enjoy the journey, look at it from the point of view what will make you happy today not some theoretical flow. The flow is only good for the guy that is flowing next month not you. So much will change, go for the airline that you actually want to fly not because they promise something.

PSA help

Make yourself as marketable as possible. Upgrade and get some PIC time. Work with the safety department, or teach ground school/sims for a little bit, be a mentor, be involved in something. (If you have military flying, that certainly counts!)

The majority of the people at our company that are going to legacies all had "extra" things on their resume. Having a college degree, 6000 hours, being a captain, and having a clean record is what half of the regional pilots have. If you want to stand out, show them that you are something different.

You may get hired without anything else, but for every "normal" person that gets hired without anything extra, 10 people with extra things will also get hired.

HighFlight

If you want to fly for someone, beg, borrow, and steal to get there.

If you want to be happy, buy or rent a sailboat, go sailing in the sunset with your S.O. and enjoy life. Life is too short to be miserable.

AZPilotMike

To be fair, I have been at this a long time and I certainly don't appreciate the tag that I am acting like a certain generation. I received my first CFI/CFII fixed wing in 1997, worked at it hard and then 9/11 hit, pushing me out for several years. I then worked all the way back up to a CFI in rotorcraft, opened my own tour business and had that taken away by 2008. I am now back current again, with all the needed ratings and to be honest a little gun shy as this may be my last chance at 38 years old.

I was very polite and simply wanted to some advice as I don't know that I can afford any mistakes. While I agree that the journey is great and very important, it can be derailed easily, as has happened to me several times. I was told long ago to seek the council of those that have been or are going through something to avoid the pitfalls they may have suffered.

As for the search function, I did use it, but lots of the info in them is either buried, not timely anymore or the conversation had devolved into something altogether different.

Thank you for your reply.

HighFlight

Don't thank him for his reply, he's just bitter and taking it out on you as a keyboard warrior. Many people are on here for information, and having to deal with those who only troll to make them feel bigger while they live in their mom's basement is a detractor, but doesn't take away from the fact that you can still get good info here.

Do the degree, period. For you, not for the majors. You'll thank me later.

Military has an advantage at all the majors currently, so you have to overcome that with something like community service or a management position. Seek responsibility in your current (or future) company so you stand out among your peers.

Good luck in your pursuit of the "Golden Wings". They exist. And they are becoming easier to obtain every month.