Lifer at a regional... really that bad?
11-17-2017, 01:11 PM
#21
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,253
Originally Posted by BigfootCapo
There is nothing wrong with flying a regional jet for the remainder of ones career. I have known plenty who decided to do so even with having other options open to them. Every person is different in terms of what they want out of this job and only you can know what will work the best for you. No job is absolutely perfect (yes even the legacy one). Schedules, bases, equipment , money, job security, position (CA/FO) to name a few are all pros and cons one has to balance. This is necessary in order to find a perfect fit that YOU want.
If a left seat of a regional ends up working for you, there is absolutely no shame in staying there and enjoying the rest of the ride.
If a left seat of a regional ends up working for you, there is absolutely no shame in staying there and enjoying the rest of the ride.
11-18-2017, 04:24 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2009
Posts: 741
Originally Posted by sealandair
Given I'm in my mid-40s and just now applying to regionals, I'm wondering if any of you are, or know any "lifers" that actually don't mind it. I always say there are two frames of mind... a positive one and a negative one. No matter the industry, you'll have whiners and complainers, and you'll have those that make what they can out of it. I'm in the latter group. Plus, I don't have kids so I'm a little more mobile when it comes to having to relocate, and my cost of living is minimal.
Sure, I'm still not too old to make it to a major or legacy, but I'll never get beyond F/O, or if I do upgrade, it'll always be a junior domicile and/or narrowbody.
Any regional lifers who still have some self respect left and a decent QOL?
Sure, I'm still not too old to make it to a major or legacy, but I'll never get beyond F/O, or if I do upgrade, it'll always be a junior domicile and/or narrowbody.
Any regional lifers who still have some self respect left and a decent QOL?
My two cents. I am going to do what I criticize...offer opinions(not advice) regarding someone else's life decisions.
I am always puzzled at the certitude many pilots have as to what career/flying decisions other people should make, even though they don't know them.
There is no stability/security in any flying job. The only major airline I ever worked for shut down in the middle of the night while I was on a trip. Another airline used to brag how they had never lost money, even during the gulf war, then it was had never furloughed, then eventually bought by a leveraged buyout company (to avoid a takeover by another airline) then eventually sold and liquidated. Anyway, you get the idea....there are no "for sures" and history in this business suggests that this temporary period of prosperity will not last.
So my opinion....regional flying can be rewarding and satisfying. If it isn't so for a given individual, it is often due to looking into the future to the detriment of the present. There is much to be said for achieving contentment with having "enough". Most of us got into this because we love flying airplanes and have a love for the profession. Unfortunately we sometimes let other opinions as to what we should do diminish our enjoyment of what we are doing.
So...the world according to MaxQ(a bit of it anyway)...march to your own drummer, to thine own self be true.
Money doesn't mean much unless you don't have any.
11-18-2017, 11:43 AM
#23
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2016
Position: E175
Posts: 686
Originally Posted by VIRotate
I can't understand the regional lifer mentality. Take a paycut for a year, then year 2 making more money than a 20 year regional CA at most places. Yeah lose some QOL, but pay will make up for it later on. Plus more job security if you are printing your own tickets. Most regional lifers I've come across are just bitter. Don't be that guy.
11-18-2017, 04:24 PM
#24
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2015
Posts: 710
Originally Posted by MaxQ
SeaLand
My two cents. I am going to do what I criticize...offer opinions(not advice) regarding someone else's life decisions.
I am always puzzled at the certitude many pilots have as to what career/flying decisions other people should make, even though they don't know them.
There is no stability/security in any flying job. The only major airline I ever worked for shut down in the middle of the night while I was on a trip. Another airline used to brag how they had never lost money, even during the gulf war, then it was had never furloughed, then eventually bought by a leveraged buyout company (to avoid a takeover by another airline) then eventually sold and liquidated. Anyway, you get the idea....there are no "for sures" and history in this business suggests that this temporary period of prosperity will not last.
So my opinion....regional flying can be rewarding and satisfying. If it isn't so for a given individual, it is often due to looking into the future to the detriment of the present. There is much to be said for achieving contentment with having "enough". Most of us got into this because we love flying airplanes and have a love for the profession. Unfortunately we sometimes let other opinions as to what we should do diminish our enjoyment of what we are doing.
So...the world according to MaxQ(a bit of it anyway)...march to your own drummer, to thine own self be true.
Money doesn't mean much unless you don't have any.
My two cents. I am going to do what I criticize...offer opinions(not advice) regarding someone else's life decisions.
I am always puzzled at the certitude many pilots have as to what career/flying decisions other people should make, even though they don't know them.
There is no stability/security in any flying job. The only major airline I ever worked for shut down in the middle of the night while I was on a trip. Another airline used to brag how they had never lost money, even during the gulf war, then it was had never furloughed, then eventually bought by a leveraged buyout company (to avoid a takeover by another airline) then eventually sold and liquidated. Anyway, you get the idea....there are no "for sures" and history in this business suggests that this temporary period of prosperity will not last.
So my opinion....regional flying can be rewarding and satisfying. If it isn't so for a given individual, it is often due to looking into the future to the detriment of the present. There is much to be said for achieving contentment with having "enough". Most of us got into this because we love flying airplanes and have a love for the profession. Unfortunately we sometimes let other opinions as to what we should do diminish our enjoyment of what we are doing.
So...the world according to MaxQ(a bit of it anyway)...march to your own drummer, to thine own self be true.
Money doesn't mean much unless you don't have any.
11-18-2017, 06:53 PM
#25
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2007
Posts: 692
Originally Posted by Rahlifer
I'm not sure I follow your logic. Just because Delta has rj rates doesn't mean they're just going to place a bunch of regional pilots onto their list. 
11-19-2017, 10:05 AM
#27
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2005
Posts: 495
Yes. Lifer at a regional really is that bad.
Originally Posted by sealandair
Given I'm in my mid-40s and just now applying to regionals, I'm wondering if any of you are, or know any "lifers" that actually don't mind it. I always say there are two frames of mind... a positive one and a negative one. No matter the industry, you'll have whiners and complainers, and you'll have those that make what they can out of it. I'm in the latter group. Plus, I don't have kids so I'm a little more mobile when it comes to having to relocate, and my cost of living is minimal.
Sure, I'm still not too old to make it to a major or legacy, but I'll never get beyond F/O, or if I do upgrade, it'll always be a junior domicile and/or narrowbody.
Any regional lifers who still have some self respect left and a decent QOL?
Sure, I'm still not too old to make it to a major or legacy, but I'll never get beyond F/O, or if I do upgrade, it'll always be a junior domicile and/or narrowbody.
Any regional lifers who still have some self respect left and a decent QOL?
Don’t sell yourself short by striving to stay in the minor leagues. Make your time at a regional just a time building experience on your way to a legacy, LCC or fractional like NetJets. Just my humble opinion.
11-19-2017, 10:54 AM
#29
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,253
Originally Posted by sflpilot
I meant the aircraft only. Of course I am not talking about a flow or staple. But the math is looking like once mainline is continuously hiring massive numbers of pilots from the regionals or any other operation, it's only a matter of time before they go under. This is because they are already fighting for pilots at regionals, what happens when the attrition gets even worse and the regionals cannot staff their flights? They are not going to pay more at a regional than mainline so at that point the party's over. The real problem is there are just so few people in the flight school pipeline these days to come to the regionals. I can assure you that DL, AA and UAL will hire everyone they need to keep things running smoothly as the forced retirements hit. My point is they are not going to park aircraft at mainline so they can help save some garbage regional or 135 outfit by not hiring their pilots. People are ready and willing to take jobs at mainline, not so much regionals, hence they allocate the aircraft to keep the flying going and hire what they need.
11-24-2017, 11:37 AM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2015
Posts: 963
Top out as captain for $120 after many years or make $150-$200 in your third year as FO at a major? Get a 16% retirement contribution or get 1% with a 6% match? Get real representation from ALPA National at a major or ...? Get perks/assistance such as dry cleaning reimbursement, higher per-diem, better moving benefits, in-flight meals, higher priority non-rev travel or get fewer/less of those things. Have more aircraft/schedule/route options or be limited to one or two aircraft types and short legs? Stay at diplomat quality downtown hotels or stay at the LaQuinta in the hotel farm by Target and Cracker Barrel?
Obviously majors aren't for everyone, but I like them.
Obviously majors aren't for everyone, but I like them.
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