Legacy vs. Regional QOL?
 

I always read about people complaining about QOL at the regional level. Other than the obvious things like pay, management, what makes QOL at a Legacy carrier sooo much better. Is it the lines? the overnighters? I would think that once someone was in the left seat for a few years at a regional, and built some seniority, QOL would not be that bad. Obviously the first few years are rough, but that's with any job in any industry.

This is exactly my situation. 10th yr @ regional, lineholder making good $ trying to justify leaving to start over @ $30/ hr, FO indefinitely with layoffs very possible in merger scenario. Wait for the dust to settle and see who is left and lose potential seniority, take something now and hope for the best or just do nothing and be a lifer @ regional?

nealman,

there have been threads asking the same question before. it would make for some good reading that would present both sides of the story and give you some more information to formulate your own opinion. wish i could link that other thread or find it, but if someone else knew how they could steer you in the right direction.

Leave the regionals at the first chance you get!!!

They are regional pilots out there that have a great QOL, and would not give that up to go to a legacy and start from scratch. There are also pilots at legacy carrier's that do not have any thing nice to say about their jobs. It boils down to what you are looking for in life and how being a pilot fits into that. Regionals used to be a stepping stone to get to the majors and now some have become attractive and most folks are making a career out of it. A jet is a jet in my opinion, the major differency is how many bodies your are carring in the back and how far you can fly. Most pilots out there want to fly the 747-400 and some are just content flying a CRJ and being home more often to play with little Johhny in the back yard. It's all up to an individual needs as far as QOL and where one gets it from.

I was a victim of severe Shiny Jet Syndrome. I chased heavy metal from cargo...to the regionals...to the LCCs...to the majors and back again over a 10 year period.

Then I had a son...and suddenly heavy metal didn't mean as much as time at home.

Now I fly a 7 passenger airplane. But i'm home almost every night. And in the end, isn't that what matters?

Very nicely put.

To the original poster: Also consider rising fuel prices, a weakening dollar and the US economy showing signs of slowed growth. It's probably not a terrific time to be at the bottom of a seniority list, especially one that historically has been highly exposed to furlough. (ie "Legacy" carriers)

People say their worst day at a legacy was better than their best day at a regional. I can see that. That was my thinking as I worked my way up. And that's how I see things now.

I guess a lot depends on your situation, but that's how I saw it.

I agree. It depends a lot on the situation, especially what legacy is in question.

There are people that are lifers at regionals for a reason. It's a little bold to make a statement about worst day at a major being better than the best day at a regional. It would seem that most the people that would make that statement wouldn't have been there long enough to get the gravy lines. Who knows. I've flown with several people who've been at CHQ for over 10yrs. They make right at six figures, only work 10-12 days a month, and are home every night. Can't be that bad.