starting out in regionals
 

Hello Everybody,

I am new to this forum but I have been visiting for about a week now and I was wandering if I could get some advice from all the regional pilots out there. Well, I am currently 21 (non college grad. as well as non flight school grad. and not in debt anywhere) and just got hired with American Eagle this past Friday. I am very excited about starting class in July and since I am young I feel I would like to stay with Eagle throughout my 20s and maybe 30s. Is this a smart decision from a financial standpoint and would I be able to live a descently successful as well as comfortable life since I am young enough to SAVE. Or should I just build my time and move on to fractionals in mid 20s.

Thanks in Advance:)

What do you WANT to do?

If you like it at Eagle, stay at Eagle.

If you want to fly for a fractional, go to a fractional.

Personally, I think any FO who stays at Eagle longer than necessary is wasting their life away. But that's just me. If at Eagle, you can live where you want (their bases most likely aren't in danger of closing anytime soon) and QOL is more important than income or advancement, then staying at Eagle might suit you. There are a lot of people who do (stay at Eagle).

What to do?
 

Fosters nailed it !!

SkyHigh

Nooo! You signed your life away to EAGLE?? Get ready for some major abuse. I predict you will last 3 months.

How is that you are 21 and able to be hired and wih no debt too? I'm actually curious now, would like to know your flying experience.

Thanks Mom and Dad!

I would suggest Eagle for a year max, then go to Skywest or another good regional, or maybe a fractional depending on your prefered lifestyle...

Regional: Typically 3-4 days on, 3-4 off. Plus travel benies.

Fractionals: Often 7 on, 7 off.

Don't stay at eagle though...almost any other regional will provide a much faster upgrade to captain, which will double your pay.