cgarunner

I'm going to be retiring from the Coast Guard as a helo pilot and am considering the airlines. I'm looking at relocation to either Denver/Colorado Springs, Chattanooga or Nashville. I'm slightly considering eastern PA since I have family in the Northeast and could work out of NYC, Philly, Baltimore or DC. I'm looking to minimize nights away from home since I have two young kids. I know it might take a few years to build the necessary seniority. Is crazy to consider staying at a regional? It seems to me that the quality of life of a senior regional Captain must be pretty good. 80-100k annually plus my pension will be a decent income. Seems everyone is only interested in moving up; I'm not interested in constantly upgrading and changing companies, only to be the junior guy with a crap schedule every time. Recommendations for companies that could meet this goal?

fortyeight

Whatever regional will allow you to drive to work after you decide where you want to move. The rest doesn’t matter.

EFBprobs

If you end up in DEN/COS go skywest, I spent 3 years there it's a good company. If you end up near DCA/PHL definitely go republic. Avoid mesa, trans states, go jet.

cgarunner

Thanks for the opinions. I know it varies, but how long do you think I'd wait for a schedule where I work no more than 15 days? Is 10-12 days/month possible? Or are there schedules that keep you home most nights (aside from reserve). I'm looking at long-term QOL vs. helicopter EMS, which I could roll straight in to working 7-on/7-off at $60-70k/year.

fortyeight

What you’re asking has so many variables from airline to airline.

Pick the regional that allows you to drive to work. The rest doesn’t matter.

knewyork

If you can drive to a republic base, it’s a great QOL choice.

Chato

Yea the one u can drive to then hope they dont close that base

JayBee

Sounds like a corporate type gig would be more in line with what you want

yakfisher

My buddy showed me his schedule monthly and was holding 18 days off every month and that was his first year as an FO. I’ve thought of EMS but I don’t have the Mil retirement to supplement so the money just isn’t there for a family but it seems like a good gig

molitvic13

If you end up in DEN/COS go Skywest or even XJT, they’ll be making an appearance soon in DEN. If you end up near DCA/PHL definitely go Republic Avoid Trans, GoJets, and the worst Mesa