I haven't seen a weight restriction at XJT in over a year FYI, if hiring spools up in a few years apply everywhere and see who interviews you. If you are set in staying in AVL then do some research on who you would want to commute on. Having the ability to drive a couple hours is huge for your QOL, mabye when that time comes you should invest in a used car......

 

You think KROA would be a reasonable commute from KAVL?

 

Yeah, unless you want to drive to new bern.

 

I wouldn't move to Asheville then. Chances are very good that you will not be able to get out on a flight at some point. Your only option then would be to drive. Charlotte is the senior base and might take longer than normal to get than Knoxville (115 miles away).

On that note, I do not remember any flight I flew into AVL being weight restricted but, I do remember that it is one of my favorite overnights!

 

Not trying to dump on you, but if you're that tied to the area you might want to think of trying different segments of the industry. A fractional ownership company or corporate outfit might be the best fit. From past experience (that I'm sure most on this forum can concur with) , I can tell you that the airline industry is not one that makes putting down roots easy. Certainly not in the beginning at least. Even when you are senior at your airline that doesn't guarantee anything. Mgt. will close and open various bases at the drop of a hat if necessary. It's just the nature of the beast. Embrace it, hate it, or deal with it. Your choice.

 

Eck4Life hits the nail on the head. I've ended up in some very odd bases I never thought I would (when you're junior, you go where they tell you to go)...in fact, I've yet to end up at the base I thought I would go to originally. I don't want to rain on the parade either, but don't choose a company because of their base...that usually ends up leading to frustration in the end. Choose the best company period, one with good stability, good work rules, etc. I know that's hard to choose with regionals as things can change quickly, but for the sake of your wife and kids, try to avoid someone that's going to move your base every 6 months and then furlough you anyway...I've been there . For a single guy, it's tolerable...but ask yourself can you and your family handle that?
Best of luck! Instructing is THE way to start, you learn a lot! Hopefully, you'll "step up" sooner than later. When the industry is going well, I think it's one of the best jobs around. When it's lousy...it's really lousy.

 

Ok guys, fair enough. Which regional would you suggest for stability and sanity whenever hiring resumes? With the state of the majors, I'm quite ready to accept the possibility of staying there for a career.
Also, are you saying that it would be nonsense for me to hope for a reasonable commute out of AVL with any regional? Are you saying I'll be better off moving to a base because of my family?
As for instructing being the way to start, I "started" working in the flight training business in 2001 as a manager. Many of the career pilots that trained at the schools I managed have been at the regionals for years. I only have 1100 hrs because I rode the desk for so many years. I want to fly more. I'm not against going back to management, I just LOVE flying and I really want to. I also want to see the world. But if I go back to management, it HAS to be for a company that actually cares about excellence (instead of just talking about it.)

 

Commuting sucks. Period.

If you're going to commute, try and go somewhere that isn't an outstation base. Those will likely have early starts/late finishes so you're going to lose an extra day on each end to commuting. Regardless of where you are you're going to be on reserve so you'll probably need to get there the day before because that 4am start to reserve doesn't mesh well with flights. 11-12 days off will really be like 6 days off by the time you factor travel days into the equation.

Commuting is also more expensive. That money you'll save on cheap rent will quickly go to a crashpad. You're going to have to get there a day early so you'll have to eat out more. Unless you're in a city that has a good mass transit system (ORD or JFK) you'll likely need a crashpad car. If you're in one of those cities you still have to factor the cost of some sort of mass transit pass (I think it's like $80/month in Chitown). If you're close enough to drive you'll see mx on your vehicle go up as well.

What regional is a safe bet? None of them. Five to ten years ago everybody wanted to go to Comair and Eagle. Then it was Expressjet. When I was hired at RAH last year they were expecting to hire 1000. I just got my recall letter today and there are still about 100 behind me waiting for one.

So yeah, if you have a wife and kids that you like to spend time with you might want to consider moving them. If you don't feel like putting that stress on them maybe a corporate operation on your home field would be a better option. A few friends have gone that route and while they don't know when they'll be gone in advance, they are usually home more than I was/will be.

 

whichever one you like that will take you! your phrase above is not applicable in the industry (on a side note just make sure they have a commuter clause and you should be ok i had to commute from SAN to CVG and there was only 1 direct flight each day, never had a problem)

 

As one of my captains told me once; always keep your main goal in sight. I think too many people here get too shortsighted at times and get caught up in all the doomsday talk. Granted we are facing tough times but this has always been a difficult industry.

If you want to work at a major do what you think will be the best route to get you there. They will hire again. When the age 65 retirements hit coupled with a recovering economy there is going to be much more leverage for pilots on both hiring and new contracts. Just position yourself so you are ready. I cringe whenever someone resigns themselves to making a career at a regional.