Leave your regional
 

The industry is moving slower these days for entry into 121. Many of you want to wait for the “flow” United, American, delta all created a flow. They want you to work for less than your value produces for their operations. With this point I recommend you leave your regional as soon as you can. Leave for any place even a move to a major or cargo carrier you’re not a big fan of. If these airlines see their regional model doesn’t work they’ll be forced to hand out seniority numbers mainline. Make their operations hurt. Why? Because they don’t mind letting pilots go hungry in lean times. You’re profit to them. A dollar amount with a cost for a service they provide. Your family deserves better. You deserve better. Do not wait for a flow. Do not wait around and be “loyal”. Corporate america doesn’t reward loyalty. In the past 30 years wage stagnated while record profits and ceo income exponentially increased while the true value of the median household income shrank. Now’s the time to seize that LCC or other carrier by the hand shake firmly and let regionals die. We don’t need regional jobs… we need major level jobs. If anyone says you’re not qualified or prepared for the “majors” ask them why that matters to them. Then go and prove them wrong. You’re a qualified capable pilot. Yes, you’ll be learning. But some of those captains gave up on learning years ago. Those captains want to take a nap while you do all the work. Those captains would’ve wanted the same opportunity you’re receiving now. Take the leap. Let the regional model burn. You’re only hurting your own progression and the median pilot income of those behind you when you stay.

So let me get this right, you’re telling people to leave their regional so that the mainline carriers will hand out seniority numbers? I think the reason most stay is in hopes of a seniority number at said legacy. But your advice is leave to a LCC so that their classmates will be forced to be given legacy seniority numbers, makes a lot of sense. This is a pointless ramble.

That was drunk posting. Regionals do great in lean times, my wages have been anything but stagnant, my airline has treated me really well and I enjoy it.

There’s still reasons to stay at a regional. Nearest major airline base is a 4 hour drive away for me. I have good schedules and no interest in commuting. I can’t imagine a better QOL at the majors.

As someone who left Envoy for Delta, I cannot agree more. I had the “loyalty” mindset for a while- fly the regional jets with pride for 5+ years until I got to mainline where I would be taken in with open arms to fly a 30 year career. Heck, when I got my CJO at Delta I even contemplated staying at Envoy to remain “loyal” to the American brand. Boy was I stupid for even thinking that. These airlines dont care about you. Pick the best one that fits your needs. The ones that make me laugh most are the young guys that say “well my dad worked for this company so I must remain loyal”. The company your parents worked for no longer exists (from a management/corporate standpoint) and they could give a rats behind if you decided to work there to continue the “legacy”. Ive talked to a few guys at the regionals who turned down UAL/DAL/SWA offers for that exact reason. “ I want to flow and continue the legacy.” Seniority is everything, put your pride to the side.

There aren't. The original post was a bit of a ramble, but the goal is to get out of there ASAP and either on to your last seniority list or a step closer to it. Anything associated with anything related to a regional is temporary in nature. The current pay/bonus structure is temporary, the retirement isn't near what you'll need. Whatever QOL you think you have now will be re-attainable in the not too near future when your on your final list. My reply isnt really directed back at you FlyinCat as I obviously have no idea the particulars of your situation, it's more generic in nature to someone who wants to hang out at a regional on purpose for supposed short term QOL or pay reasons. Get out ASAP. Your 65 year old self will thank you.

Your airline does not like you. You and I are just employee numbers, this is a business transaction, escape while you can. It's like a game of survival.

Crew Scheduling how can I help?
This is Joe John calling in sick.
I don't know you Joe, what's your employee ID?

If your company isn’t selling the tickets your company can disappear at the whim of the company that IS selling the tickets.

Ask me how I know…

Ignorance is bliss. You need to get out anyway you can. I even agree on escaping with the cargo route. At the very least you’re wasting seniority where you could be upgrading making major Captain pay.