Because of the way the regionals are hiring, I know a couple of low time pilots that didn't choose the CFI path and have chosen to go to regionals that have lower minimums (sacrificing pay, QOL, domicile) instead of waiting to go to there regional of choice because this way they can get the 121 experience, training, turbine time...etc. Then re-applying to their prefered regional 12-24 months later (which had/do have higher minimums/standards). Hoping that gives them the edge to get hired at their 1st choice.

Is this common/looked down upon/hard to do/recommended?????

**I do understand that most on APC will probably just say get ur CFI and do the CFI thing......this is noted**

thanks

 

How else would Mesa stay in business?

This behavior is one of the (primary) reasons pay and working conditions are deteriorating in this business. Personally, I'd say yes.

 

Just remember.. it may be the "quick and easy" route now... but if something were to happen to the industry again, and you and/or your friends would be stuck at this crappy company with poor pay, poor work rules, and an even poorer QOL. Is it worth it the chance? I'd say no.


And not everyone can pass a major's interview to get into the "promised land".

 

Other 121 carriers like guys with 121 time and transport cat. time. It will make it easier to get on at a "prefered regional," but with the way things are going at most regionals that would be a stupid move. After 12-24 months at a lot of regionals you will be able to upgrade and get your 121 PIC time. Why leave and start all over again? Get the PIC time and move on. 3 to 4 years at a regional or 6 years?
My 2 cents

 

If you can go to a regional with 300hrs or whatever, go for it. You may catch a lot of flack on here but you'll basically be skipping a step. Getting valuable time, making at least as much as you could flight instructing (maybe not much more), and if you don't like the company, it wouldn't take long to build the required time for a "better" regional. That being said, you'd really need to work hard to make it through training, and most importantly you do not want to be a burden to the captains on the road.

Good Luck.

BTW, flight instructing was fun, however you have a pretty cool opportunity that not many of us had five years ago.

 

Not sure I agree. That's like asking what came first? The chicken or the egg? Do pilots leave because the pay and conditions are are crap, or are we causing these conditions? Historically, pay and schedules at the regionals have always been crap. It was always a stepping stone and people knew it . That's why you didn't hear as much complaining. These days, because of the downturn over the last five or six years, the regionals are full of "lifers" and they want to turn their job into something they can retire from comfortably. Probably not going to happen, thus all the complaining. Add to that all the new guys who want to fit in with everyone else and you've got nothing but a bunch of miserable people. I see it everyday.

 

You make a good point.

However, when pilots with no experience as professional aviators are willing to work for rock bottom wages and the worst working conditions in the industry, it sends the wrong message to management. How can efforts to improve working conditions (across the board) be fruitful when this circumstance exists?

 

Todays environment for CFIs is vastly different than it was 5 years ago. There are plenty of flight instructing jobs out there that pay more than 1st year FO pay. Some of them are even willing to contribute to housing expenses.

Thus perpetuating the vicious cycle.....

 

So your telling me that someone struggling to get into the industry should suffer because of the actions of those that have come before? I don't feel as though it'd be his fault, and shouldn't be his burden.

 

I believe there have always been lifers at the regionals. My first time in this biz I worked for AE ( Nashville flavour ) and they had acquired Command Airways... there were guys THEN who had many many years with Command / AE and had NO desire or reason in their mind to move to a so called major airline. The fact of the matter is this segment of the industry is here to stay and yes there will be a segment which desires to stay here for the flying career and if along the way they can make a decent wage with good QOL and if that means pushing scope on this end that is their focus. NOT everyone who now flies for a regional/jet airline wants to or can get hired at Legacy carriers or the likes of UPS/FEDEX. I certainly dont hold it against them because their view doesnt jive with others at this level.

Fact of the matter is we have different desires from within our own pilot ranks. BOTH have valid concerns and needs. Personally I think both can be fulfilled.