Do regionals allow leave time?
10-08-2007, 10:36 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Maule
Posts: 6
Do regionals allow leave time?
If I may, I would like to ask the forum's assistance with a quite unique situation I am facing.
I am currently a senior in college and will be graduating in May. Following this upcoming summer, I will have obtained my CFI, CFII and MEI. I plan on instructing a year to hone my skills and knowledge prior to aggressively pursuing a regional gig at either XJT or Pinnacle.
While the upcoming year and a half of my plan is quite foreseeable, I am also interested in applying for a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. This scholarship is a great opportunity for any individual, however, it comes at a slight career cost for a future airline pilot.
This scholarship provides $23,000 for an academic year to study in a foreign country. I'm planning on Australia or New Zealand. There is a great amount of flexibility with the trip and I am working on establishing an aviation element to my stay "down under" to give myself a greater perspective on the industry.
While this scholarship would be an excellent cultural experience, this would require me delaying my aviation career for up to a year, therefore reducing my climb up the seniority ladder.
Having said that, my big question is this:
Is it possible for a regional airline pilot to obtain a leave of some kind to pursue this type of experience? I certainly don't expect to be compensated during the time that I'm gone, but I am curious as to whether my seniority would be put on hold as well?
The main decision that I am faced with is this:
Will it benefit me in the long run to hold off on taking the scholarship until I've spent some time at an airline or should I go ahead and take my trip before applying?
I would hate for a company to feel like I was taking advantage of them and I'm trying to get the information well enough in advance to take advantage of this great opportunity in the best manner possible.
I greatly appreciate all of your help!
I am currently a senior in college and will be graduating in May. Following this upcoming summer, I will have obtained my CFI, CFII and MEI. I plan on instructing a year to hone my skills and knowledge prior to aggressively pursuing a regional gig at either XJT or Pinnacle.
While the upcoming year and a half of my plan is quite foreseeable, I am also interested in applying for a Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship. This scholarship is a great opportunity for any individual, however, it comes at a slight career cost for a future airline pilot.
This scholarship provides $23,000 for an academic year to study in a foreign country. I'm planning on Australia or New Zealand. There is a great amount of flexibility with the trip and I am working on establishing an aviation element to my stay "down under" to give myself a greater perspective on the industry.
While this scholarship would be an excellent cultural experience, this would require me delaying my aviation career for up to a year, therefore reducing my climb up the seniority ladder.
Having said that, my big question is this:
Is it possible for a regional airline pilot to obtain a leave of some kind to pursue this type of experience? I certainly don't expect to be compensated during the time that I'm gone, but I am curious as to whether my seniority would be put on hold as well?
The main decision that I am faced with is this:
Will it benefit me in the long run to hold off on taking the scholarship until I've spent some time at an airline or should I go ahead and take my trip before applying?
I would hate for a company to feel like I was taking advantage of them and I'm trying to get the information well enough in advance to take advantage of this great opportunity in the best manner possible.
I greatly appreciate all of your help!
Last edited by admiral2480; 10-08-2007 at 10:43 PM. Reason: Grammatical Error
10-08-2007, 11:35 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Sep 2006
Position: Bus Driver
Posts: 211
First of all, I admire your desire to travel and study abroad. I lived abroad for many years and I think that the perspective that you will obtain from experiencing different cultures is irreplaceable. Many people these days have no real interest in the way the rest of the world works and I think that your desire to open your mind is admirable.
Now to your question regarding the airlines. Unfortunately, I do not know of any regional (or major) that will employ you and then permit you to take leave other than for documented military or medical leave. Bear in mind that your first year at most if not all companies will be probationary.
The airlines are hiring intensively right now. I expect that to continue for several years however there is no guarantee of that. As the saying goes, the only sure thing about the airline business is that nothing is sure...
Here is what I suggest. If you feel that you would regret missing out on the opportunity to study abroad, then go for it and do it! This may be your only opportunity to do this. Most likely, after a year the airlines will still be hiring and the only thing you will have lost is your place on the seniority list.
However, if you feel that you really want a career in the airlines then I would suggest getting on with a 121 carrier as soon as possible. Unfortunately seniority rules and the sooner you get on with a 121 carrier, the better your job security and the sooner you will upgrade and be eligible for your ultimate goal.
If you get on with a regional now, within a reasonable time of hitting the line you should be able to hold enough days off and with some trip trades/drops be able to travel abroad as much as you can afford to on a regional FO's budget... Actually, if you plan well and take advantage of all the airline discounts/ non rev travel privileges, you should have no problems.
There really is no perfect solution to your dilemma. You just have to figure out what is most important right now.
Best of luck to you.
Now to your question regarding the airlines. Unfortunately, I do not know of any regional (or major) that will employ you and then permit you to take leave other than for documented military or medical leave. Bear in mind that your first year at most if not all companies will be probationary.
The airlines are hiring intensively right now. I expect that to continue for several years however there is no guarantee of that. As the saying goes, the only sure thing about the airline business is that nothing is sure...
Here is what I suggest. If you feel that you would regret missing out on the opportunity to study abroad, then go for it and do it! This may be your only opportunity to do this. Most likely, after a year the airlines will still be hiring and the only thing you will have lost is your place on the seniority list.
However, if you feel that you really want a career in the airlines then I would suggest getting on with a 121 carrier as soon as possible. Unfortunately seniority rules and the sooner you get on with a 121 carrier, the better your job security and the sooner you will upgrade and be eligible for your ultimate goal.
If you get on with a regional now, within a reasonable time of hitting the line you should be able to hold enough days off and with some trip trades/drops be able to travel abroad as much as you can afford to on a regional FO's budget... Actually, if you plan well and take advantage of all the airline discounts/ non rev travel privileges, you should have no problems.
There really is no perfect solution to your dilemma. You just have to figure out what is most important right now.
Best of luck to you.
10-09-2007, 02:48 AM
#3
La Familia Delta
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: B-717 FO / C-17 AC
Posts: 2,467
definitly go for the scholarship. seniority at a regional IMO is not really going to be a big deal since you probably dont intend to be there for life and it tends to be a revolving door.
if you really dont want to lose any time, consider renting airplanes in your free time down in Australia, build up the mins for a regional, and by the time youre done with school, you can roll right into a 121 carrier. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone!
if you really dont want to lose any time, consider renting airplanes in your free time down in Australia, build up the mins for a regional, and by the time youre done with school, you can roll right into a 121 carrier. Kill 2 birds with 1 stone!
10-09-2007, 03:53 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2007
Posts: 682
Granted, I think this was in regards to the majors, but I thought I remembered reading somewhere that many pilots have been granted sabbaticals with company approval. Any truth to this? Maybe you have to be super senior...
10-09-2007, 04:01 AM
#6
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: HMMWV in Iraq
Posts: 328
I would take the scholarship.
I'm sure somebody could do a cost analysis that says delaying a year would cost you XX dollars over the course of the rest of your career, but on the other hand, you could forgo the scholarship, go to a regional, and hit the majors in the next few years just in time to get hired right before a merger or buyout and find yourself unemployed again with no seniority anyhow.
A scholarship to study in Australia or New Zealand is money in the bank when it comes to life experience, don't pass it up if you can get it.
Good luck.
I'm sure somebody could do a cost analysis that says delaying a year would cost you XX dollars over the course of the rest of your career, but on the other hand, you could forgo the scholarship, go to a regional, and hit the majors in the next few years just in time to get hired right before a merger or buyout and find yourself unemployed again with no seniority anyhow.
A scholarship to study in Australia or New Zealand is money in the bank when it comes to life experience, don't pass it up if you can get it.
Good luck.
10-09-2007, 05:55 AM
#7
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2006
Position: XJT CA
Posts: 528
Originally Posted by Shootinstr8
XJT allows for personal leave, at the discretion of the company. The pilot accrues seniority for the first 90 days only while on leave if approved.
I'm pretty sure education is one of the "acceptable" reasons for leave a XJT - other than military, of course.
10-09-2007, 06:57 AM
#8
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,444
Any company can give you leave for any reason they deem appropriate. Military and medical are protected by law. In the case of education, it would really depend on the company, their current staffing, and the manager who makes the decision.
Your seniority will generally not accrue while you are on longer-term voluntary leave.
Depending on your timeline, it might be beneficial to take a regional job (one with no training contract) fly the line for a while, then ask for leave. If they say no, just resign (with plenty of notice)...they might change their mind at that point and just give you the leave. If not, then they (or another regional of your choice) would almost certainly hire you back upon your return. This way you are a known quantity with 121 experience when you return from overseas.
Your seniority will generally not accrue while you are on longer-term voluntary leave.
Depending on your timeline, it might be beneficial to take a regional job (one with no training contract) fly the line for a while, then ask for leave. If they say no, just resign (with plenty of notice)...they might change their mind at that point and just give you the leave. If not, then they (or another regional of your choice) would almost certainly hire you back upon your return. This way you are a known quantity with 121 experience when you return from overseas.
10-09-2007, 10:29 AM
#9
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jul 2007
Position: Maule
Posts: 6
Thanks so much!
Wow! Each and every one of your responses were extremely helpful!
Thank you so much for your time and effort. I think I now can adjust my plans accordingly without hesitation!
I can certainly say that my first post was well spent!
Thanks again!
Thank you so much for your time and effort. I think I now can adjust my plans accordingly without hesitation!
I can certainly say that my first post was well spent!
Thanks again!
10-09-2007, 10:32 AM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,807
Originally Posted by rickair7777
Any company can give you leave for any reason they deem appropriate. Military and medical are protected by law. In the case of education, it would really depend on the company, their current staffing, and the manager who makes the decision.
Your seniority will generally not accrue while you are on longer-term voluntary leave.
Depending on your timeline, it might be beneficial to take a regional job (one with no training contract) fly the line for a while, then ask for leave. If they say no, just resign (with plenty of notice)...they might change their mind at that point and just give you the leave. If not, then they (or another regional of your choice) would almost certainly hire you back upon your return. This way you are a known quantity with 121 experience when you return from overseas.
Your seniority will generally not accrue while you are on longer-term voluntary leave.
Depending on your timeline, it might be beneficial to take a regional job (one with no training contract) fly the line for a while, then ask for leave. If they say no, just resign (with plenty of notice)...they might change their mind at that point and just give you the leave. If not, then they (or another regional of your choice) would almost certainly hire you back upon your return. This way you are a known quantity with 121 experience when you return from overseas.
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