Is it really always that bad? I’ve been reading the forums, and I keep seeing even some junior pilots mention that four 4-day trips per month is the norm. That leads to roughly 12 nights away (or 18 nights at home) per month. Or am I understanding that wrong?

I guess that's possible if all of your trips are commutable on both ends or you live in base.

Honestly, going back and reading my post, I’m not sure why I wrote that. I think I was conflating two different things in my head and in my response. I must be tired, sorry.

But yeah if you live in base you won’t lose any nights commuting, so 14-18 nights at home is probably a good range, depending on whether you have a line or are on reserve.

No worries, and thank you so much for your input! That definitely makes me feel better!

Thanks! Yep, planning to move to base.

If you don’t mind, I’d really appreciate any regional recommendations!

Well, it depends what you want. You said you want to be home more vs making more $. There are places like Silver Airways where they mostly do day trips so you'd be home every night if you don't mind living in Tampa, Fort Lauderdale or Dallas (Dallas does night flying FYI but still you come home at the end of the out and back) but you're going to make around $50 an hour vs $90 an hour.

Otherwise, I'd stay away from places that solely operate the CRJ200 or EMB145 as those aircraft seem to be getting retired or those airlines might not have a contract extension coming up. The United CEO said they do not want to operate 50 seaters around in the near future.

With that all being said, if you don't mind being away for a bit then go for the money at the AA wholly owned airlines. Envoy, PSA, Piedmont (although Piedmont solely operates the 145).

Also, I've heard "don't move for a regional"... if your goal is LCC you might be at your regional an extremely short amount of time and be moving again.

I wouldn’t move for a regional because bases open and close more often at the regionals vs the Majors. Pick the regional will try e closes bases to where you are and save the move to base idea for the Legency job. Unless you are okay with the potential of moving your family every time a base opens and closes at your regional…

Thank you! We’re okay with potentially moving 1-2 times (preferably, just not more than that). My partner works remotely, so we’re pretty flexible. Just trying to figure out the best regionals for QOL

Thank you so much! It’s always been my dream to fly turbine, so I think we’re going to look more into Envoy and PSA then. Being away for a bit is not a big problem - just trying to choose the options that keep that to a minimum (like about 10-12 nights away a month would be great)

Currently at Republic and managed to get 16 days off in July. I’m on reserve, but I was able to drop a bunch of reserve days and pick up trips. Additionally, if you live in base and don’t mind reserve, you’ll be probably be hanging out at the home awhile not being called. RPA has a ton of FOs so it’s easy to drop reserve days or stay home and not be called, totally up to you.

Our junior line holders consistently get 15-16 days off and around 80+ hours a month if not more. We’re currently in contract negotiations so pay will come up, but if you want QOL at a regional, hands down Republic is the way to go!