Who likes their job?
 

I'm new to this forum, and it's been a great source of info for me. I am a 2000hr CFI/135 pilot looking into the regionals.

It seems there is a fair amount of negativity, however, regarding why NOT to go with a certain company. We can speculate all year on upgrade times, pay, commuting, etc, etc.

I would like to hear from anyone currently working for a regional who happens to really LIKE their job AND the company they work for. If you don't mind, let us know why you're so happy too!

What's important to you, may not matter to me, but I want to go somewhere where people are happy to go to work.

Thanks in advance...

I like my job, but not my company so much. There's a lot of variables...

Which company you work for (but if you want to advance to the majors, you need a fast upgrade, which probably means you want to work for the crappiest regional you can find)

If you can live at your domicile...that's a HUGE plus...you can bid reserve or trips that return to base each day.

Do you have a family, and can you deal with some separation?

The most vocal whiners about the quality of life at airlines are people who have been pilots their whole life and have never had a real job (military and civilian both). People who have worked in the real world usually appreciate not having to go to work 6 days a week and deal with a pack of spineless @sskissers and backstabbers for 10 hours a day.

People who have worked in the real world usually appreciate not having to go to work 6 days a week and deal with a pack of spineless @sskissers and backstabbers for 10 hours a day.


Thats the biggest reason i want to leave the IT world behind and fly for a living. Well said...I see those people daily and it sickens me they haven't got the balls to tell it like it is...

_LA

I have to agree rick. I currently fly about 25-28 days a month flight instructing and can't imagine going back to IT or the restaurant industry. To be fair, my days are usually 7am-2pm and I am home every night, but I still have to remind myself to take days off. When I get to the regionals, I'm not sure what I am going to do with those extra 8-10 days off per month. Ill probably get a job flight instructing on the side or a boat or something:p

I agree totally with the idea of not dealing with the "usual" crowd of people. I had been instructing part-time for 4 years and finally left my regular job to instruct full time about 5 months ago.

The nights at home are nice, but right now I work 6 days a week, and only see them for about 1.5 - 2 hrs a day. With an airline, sure the schedule will be different, but I only get 4 days off per month now. The way I see it, Job Satisfaction + More time at home than I get now = QOL.

I just flat-out love flying, and I don't want to hire on with a company that wears me down and makes me hate my job 3 years from now. My goal has always been to be able to make a living doing what I love to do (yes, I know what the first year wages are at a regional!)

If you have that time the quickest way to the left seat will be turbo props. There are two companys taking direct entry captains. Of course you also need to be willing and able to accept that responsibility. Colgan and Airmidwest, flying 1900d's. With AirMidwest the next thing you'll do is fly a jet for Mesa as a Captain in 18 months. As for QOL can't tell you yet, only hearing a lot of speculation from people who don't really know anything about really crappy QOL.

No Sey
 

I left a very lucrative career in healthcare; no weekends and only worked 12 days a month albeit I worked 13 hour shifts it was only 12 days a month. I really enjoy flying; but you have to have a stepping stone in order to get where you want to go and a "regional airline" is a great start and for some a great finish. It has it's drawbacks of course but then again every job does. The first year salary is criminal; I mean 550$ (at my carrier) every two weeks is just insane. I just have to keep in mind that it is temporary and it is a stepping stone. If you are able to land a job where you live then that to me is a huge plus; I am sure many other 121 pilots would agree. Commuting for the most part is benign but it has it's days where you sit for awhile waiting to get a ride back to your home or domicile. Regional jets fill up so fast that it is sometimes difficult to get home; jump seating helps but isn't always guaranteed! I do not have a family but I hear from some of my fellow pilots that it puts a strain on their marriages and family life. I guess that stems from just not being around enough (while on reserve for the the first 4-5 months; maybe longer or shorter) to help with everyday life. They seem to have made it work but it took some sacrifice and understanding. As far as the flying; the CRJ is fun! Yea, its not a large Boeing/airbus product but it is pretty sophisticated and fun to fly! There are many other facets to this but I can only offer what I know which isnt much. I fly for a large regional and yes it has its ups and downs but for the most part I have no regrets. You've been flying long enough that you know what you have gotten yourself into. Good Luck

Mesa jet upgrade is 2-1/2 years, unless you're willing to go ANYWHERE (like Molokai...)

True!

I thought you can get a jet upgrade in Orlando in less than two years. I guess not anymore, then.

This is the nicest thread I've ever seen; finally talking positively about the job. Yea, it's a fact: working in an office or a retail store for your entire life sucks. I should know, I work at the mall. During Christmass I had to do 40 hours/week as "part timer". I'm a college student and that was druing finals, so you can guess how my grades tuned out. Dealing face-to-face with customers where you have to be submissive to their stupid-ass demands sucks. On many occasions I've been insulted by customers and I've come close to belting a couple. I like the company, the products, the salary, and especially the people though. Haha! I'm ranting about a non-airline job.
But seriously, aside from flying jetliners the only thing I could see myself doing is.........hmm, good question.