You're forgeting that it's all relative.

BTW, "do-over." Are you talking about SkyHigh? LOL! Remember that the overwhelming majority of us aren't doing it over.

 

At least not yet.

Skyhigh

 

Touché........

 

There are a lot of guys at the regionals now who will never leave... if you can keep flying til 2012-2013, and are willing to take a gamble on starting at the bottom again you will be able to get a major job most likely. Are you willing to give up a high seniority #, 18 days off, 4 weeks vacation, and $90k to get sent to EWR reserve at $40k with the risk of getting furloughed first? That's the question.

 

Thats assuming those at the regionals will be able to keep the cushy schedule for the rest of their careers. There's enormous risk that comes with staying at a regional also. The cushy schedule may or may not continue at the regionals throughout ones career so the question is, is it worth it to risk staying or risk leaving? Again, it comes down to Risk vs Reward. there are alot of people out there that thought they'd stay at the regionals and enjoy the 70-90k and 18 days off a month for the rest of their careers only to see themselves sliding backwards now. Some are back in the right seat thus taking a pay cut, so the risk in staying is there also.

For most it MIGHT take 1-4 years to "break even" but the long term potential gains are huge if you get on at the right place at the right time.

 

I agree. However, for guys who are working at a relatively "stable" regional, with kids, mortgage, wife, stable happy life in Memphis or Atlanta... it's a very hard choice for those guys.

 

Two words: Eagle, Horizon.

I think the majority of the regional carriers will wind up with senior pilot groups like the above two.

 

There is a book that talks about following your heart. Follow your heart and let the rest follow. In other words, if your heart is set on flying that wide body international someday, make the jump despite the risk. No risk, no gain. When I was in the military my old DI used to say "Fortune favors the brave." This was before this phrase was made famous in the HBO mini series Band of Brothers.

I took the risk when I jumped into this Part 121 flying gig. If I can't make the jump to the majors in the next few years, I maybe going back to corporate flying.

I am not advocating everyone to make the jump. I understand some of you have invested a considerable amount of time at your regional and don't really care to fly the widebody. There are many very senior pilots at XJ who are content with their position and they are making well over $100,000 a year with weekends off. Each to his own.

But in the long run, I have to agree with Superpilot that you will wind up in a better position if you make the jump. Just look at the payrate for DAL and compare that to the best regionals out there. 3rd year DAL FO makes around $90/hour. That's close to what a 17 year CA makes at XJ on the CRJ900.

 

I apologize. I'd be happy to be an example of exactly what NOT to do in pursuit of an airline career. I am that guy that accepted an under paying position, substandard work rules, etc... sacrificing more than just money and time. I have contributed to the overall problem.

Although I may come off as defensive, I have become sensitive to higher education as a whole. More people are getting higher educations (Masters degrees) at much higher price tags, for modest paying careers. My wife has a MLS, a 6yr degree and makes 35k/yr. It came at a hefty price. This issue isn't soley an "aviation" career problem. It is symptomatic of a bigger issue. There are a few fields that will almost always have a higher success rate of paying off. Engineering, Law and Medicane are most of them.

Put yourself into the position of someone that comes here to get started on their "research" of an airline career. Think about the perception. You got Gulf Stream Academy and ATPs on one end of the spectrum, and you got the 4yrs universities on the other end of the spectrum. Both ends get bashed repeatedly here. One of them is zero to hero in less than a year, the other is preppy, overpriced and unneeded. That doesn't leave much left if you are not military inclined.

The local flight schools can provide decent training at decent over all prices, but they can be a crap shot for those that don't know what to look for. I speculate that local flight schools will not maintain profitablity in the near future. Universities AND flight academies with large markets and larger financing options can more easily absorb losses and potientially be the vehicle for fundamental changes in flight training.

 

stable regional? is there such a thing? I know its a tough choice to take a pay cut and "risk"' the move but every regional is at risk whenever their flying contract comes up for renewal. I've been there done that and know all about making the decision while thinking about the kids and mortgage but in the end it was still worth it. I'm home more now in my second year at a major as a commuter than when i was at my old regional living in base and i make more money. It did come with alot of risk and constant concern of being laid off but thats all part of being junior. I would have been downgraded at my old regional had i stayed so making the move has already proven to be a good decision. Everyones situation is different, to each their own.