First thanks for your input, good to hear all sides. As to the above statements, I have assured my family that if the numbers don't add up I'll hold off until they do (the maturity thing, I'm > 30). I can afford that. Also, my wife will be generating income as a teacher...it ain't much but when all things are added up it might work.

I believe my biggest regret would be that I have made it to the brink, and not tried.

Again thanks for your input.

577Nitro-

I'm still wondering why nobody has commented on your choices of regionals, great lakes and mesa? If you're set on taking the huge paycut (and I can't blame you b/c otherwise you'd always wonder) with those times you could go to someplace quality like republic. Unless I guess it has something to do with your location?

577Nitro,
You will make good luck. You and the family will do OK, you have already demonstrated your ability to get a side business going and make more doing it in a satisfying way and still fly for someone profesionally (Regional, etc)
Stay positive, lot of negatives, but remember...

“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race” Calvin Coolidge

Actually in the post I'm asking about any others as well. Thats what I was hoping to get some answers/advice on. Who else is out there that I should be talking to? Who has experience with other lines? What are they?

Thanks,
577nitro

My first year at a regional I made 35k. Not bad considering 3 of my 10 bids on reserve and i didnt pick up any extrawork. The horrible upgrade is due to the fact that it is still sitting close to 6-7 years to upgrade. This is because I work at a career regional where people never leave.
But my QOL is nice. I can afford vacations and work a standard 4 on 3 off which isnt great but isnt horrible.

I used to work in IT as a computer course/web/graphics designer in college... I hated it... Cube life wasn't for me. Got my current job and never looked back. If flying is your passion, go for it and you wont regret it. The good news is you can probably pick up some IT work on the side. I do web maintenance on the side for extra cash and it is working out great!

Republic has a Denver Crew Base....nice:D. Anybody know what the pay and culture is like there?

Thanks,
577nitro

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airli.../republic.html

Everyone I have talked to there seems to like it. Upgrades have been relatively short. They are currently in contract negotiations, so hopefully they will get some increases in pay/QOL.

If I add it up right, I could with my wifes salary as a teacher and the pay at Republic ($22.87+$1.69) make around $4725.00 per month. That might just work...along with some side IT work. Possibly some ditch digging as well....

What is the real number of hours you can get? They claim a guaranteed 75, but can you get more? How?

Thanks,
577nitro

A word of caution. If Republic would happen to lose the contract for whoever they feed in DEN, they very possibly would close it down as a base. Horizon once had a DEN base for the Frontier flying but not anymore.