Having interviewed an unhappy regional captain today and working with several other unhappy regional captains (corporate Dep't), why does anyone seek these jobs? Slow progression, poor pay and conditions, companies that may or may not be around in 5 years and commuting, WHY?

GF

 

Who signs your paycheck?

 

Where are you going with this post? Kinda off topic. Which regional are you talking about?

 

How long will your employer be around? Don't let a shard of glass hit ya when you throw those stones in your glass house.

 

It was a bit of a joke, I work for Colgan. In light of all that is going on right now I will only technically work for colgan for a few more months.

As for the corporate post: My pay with minimal effort is comfortable and pays the bills, career progression was quite fast in comparison, working conditions are likely not on par with a fortune 500 91 gig but still not bad at all. As for commuting that is a pilots choice and not all do. I have MANY corporate friends who do not commute only because they couldn't and uprooted their families and moved across country (often more than once) for a job. Around in 5 years? In today's economy I feel more comfortable at a regional than at a corporate gig.

It's not for everyone but it could always be worse.

 

Clearprop

Let's just say my employer will be around to pay my retirement, if not it will be big news in the business world. Most good corporate jobs are more secure than the image presents; total layoffs weren't greater than the regionals.

My post was how can anyone justify the expense of college and flight training on a job with low pay and slow progression? I am in recurrent and several in the class are ex-regional and speak of the travails and unhappiness there.

GF

 

You have very good hind sight. 20/20 or better i'd say.

 

Goods points GF. The tone of my post was tainted by the crappy day I was dealing with.

 

I totally agree with you on all your points, however I know many who have been laid off from some pretty sweet corporate gigs, myself included. We all know that the airplane is ALWAYS the first to go when times get tough for a company. I quit my regional job for a corporate gig I thought I could finish the rest my career with. Now I'm back in the right seat at a regional. It's just an unstable industry as a whole. In fact, I know a guy who was left seat flying for a Fortune 100 company who got laid off back when things went downhill in '08.

I would LOVE to find another "sweet corporate gig" but they are few and far between and hard to come by, especially if you don't know someone. I don't know of any pilot who plans on just "landing" the cushy corporate job. It's all nepotism and who you know in the end in that world and most of us aren't that fortunate. Congrats to you on landing a nice stable flying job, and be grateful for it!

 

Thanks for the comments. I was an ex-Eastern pilot, worked several corporate jobs, did almost 20 years as a full-time military technician, so I may have good hond sight, but it was earned. Not a bit of that career was planned, I might add. BUT, it seems tough to justify the education expenses, the "rewards" of regioal flying on the slight chance of a major airline career, especially when one looks at the compensation offered at the majors.

I regularily read these threads here to judge where aviation is going. I am out and about in the business and regional guys are pretty universally unhappy with the workings of the companies, the pay, the commuting, the overall sacrifices they have made. The pilot I interviewed loved aviation, probably had some good talents, but was trapped as a junior captain, unable to progress, old enough to be looking at a career as a RJ pilot. He wanted a change and I understand that, I've been there.

Young guys who pay attention here can learn a lot from you guys posting here, I hope the industry gets better for everyone. I'll do another 5 years, but want to leave a better place.

BANJA

That's only partly true, I've been around some growing departments that are hiring. Deliveries are still being made, used sales are starting to perk up. Anyone who works at getting known, learns skills beyond flying (speak business, learn about business ops, get out of the regional tunnel vision) can find jobs. What did we look for:

--strong skills including MEI instructor time or check airman

-- experience managing a program, like safety, IS-BAO experience, record of doing more than the minimum to get by.

--progression, did the applicant grow in his career or just get into a comfy slot and stay there. Did job changes advance the applicant's career or were they moves just to move.

BTW, only one of our interviewees known to the three of us interviewing. Networking helps, but just sniffing around websites, talking to people can get a in.

We're done for now, but might hire again in later in the year.

GF