Nothing wrong with that, just pointing out that many people never expected to be lifers so choosing someplace because it could get you to the majors quicker can backfire if you end up stuck somewhere you don’t enjoy working.

That being said it seems like there are very few regionals that are tolerable to work at indefinitely.

This is not the case. We go back to first year pay when we get to mainline. If we kept the longetivity then maybe the pay difference might be more of a factor.

I’m on 5th year captain pay AND I pick up premium and FOs at non wholly owned carriers are still making more. Endeavor and Republic Captains are making around 130-150k since they have a lot of extra soft pay. That’s about double what the average wholly owned captains are making. If it was just a 10-20% pay difference that would be one thing....but not double.

I get your argument that it’s a short term pain for a long term gain, but for new hires now you will be getting hired at a major no matter where you go long before you ever flow.

Well, my understanding of the flow and pay situation at the wholly owneds was completely incorrect. I didn’t realize there is such a stark difference in pay. Just crunching the numbers for our pay scale, 130k is doable, but requires a lot of premium pay pick up and crediting over a hundred hours per month. Sounds like a lotta work. 😃😃

That's the problem with the flow. Misunderstanding, and the way it has been misrepresented by recruiters. When you flow, you go right back to year one pay, and for some Captains here this will mean a pay cut the first year. As many others have said, you will likely be at a major much quicker than waiting on flow. If you lack a degree, have multiple check ride failures, DUI's, or other skeletons, than the flow may be a good back up. But I would caution against this as well as American has shown that they can make modifications to the flow. With the most recent being that you need 2 years time as pic at one of the WO's before you are eligible. They could easily add the degree requirement for flow, or ban someone with a DUI, or check ride failures. They have a brand to protect, and want quality pilots just as much as the next airline, and if they feel flow has lowered the quality of pilots, they will make modifcations.

For now, someone with less than 2 years to flow, it is an awesome benefit.

Any regional line CA from any regional will make more money second year at any Big Six major (don't forget bonuses/401k/and pension in some cases).

Only exception might be if you were super-senior at the regional and choose to be on reserve at the major.

Our top 50 or so guys were grandfathered in under a different pay scale, they would take a pretty sizable hit in pay, as well as schedule qol, and most likely have to commute. Some of the older guys would not have enough time to make up what they would loose as they would be retiring within next 5 years. But these are very much the minority.

I’ve read in the American threads that most first year pilots are making roughly 100k their first year there. Unless you’re a check airmen or in the training department and pick up flying on your days off id say 90% of Captains flowing right now from the wholly owneds will get a pay raise when they get to American.

Those people can’t do math if they think it would take 5 years to recoup.

At the company’s option. I believe at endeavor any open time carries a premium. You only get premium at YX if you get a call to cover a flight, because scheduling doesn’t have reserve coverage.

WO pilots do not keep their longevity when starting at mainline AA.

AA WO pay is industry lagging at best.

Flow for new hires at a WO is about 9 years currently.