Does Flying for Regionals really suck?
 

Hi Everyone,
This is my first post. I have been lurking for a while. I have seen a lot of *****ing on the website about flying for the regionals and I was curious if it's really that bad. I know we all have bad days and forums like this are great to come and blow some steam. But I am considering making a jump to fly for the airlines so I am curiuos is the QOL really bad or do people enjoy working for the regionals? My background...

I am 28 and currently a business owner but am looking to possibly sell a do something else. I've been at it for almost 5 years. I have been flying for 10 years and own a 2004 Cirrus SR20. I love flying for fun but have always thought about flying for the airlines. I live in Virginia and would probably want to work at Colgan since pilots are back at base each night for the most part. I live near SHD & CHO so I have two bases in less than a hour drive. I am someone who enjoys taking weekend trips with my wife and traveling a lot. I know starting out weekends will be filled with work but after 2-3 years, does the QOL get better? I would have no plans on upgrading to majors because I don't want to be away from home 5 days a week.

The pay doesn't scare me off starting out because of the wifes salary and investments, I can get by. Plus after making captain, where I live, that salary will work.

Sorry for the long post, just curious if flying right now has gotten really bad and if people are really jerked around a lot by mangement. I want to fly but I also want mangement to respect QOL. Any thoughts? Thanks everyone!

T

I've been at my current regional for 2 years, hold 17 days off a month, and I am making decent money. I am way ahead of the average salary for my age group (20's) and always have a 3 day weekend. I look at my friends working 50-60 hours a week for about the same and I don't regret my choice. I'm on the road 4 days a week at the most, and its a one flight commute, so there's nooo stress. It's what you make it. If you are considering a regional I would strongly suggest doing some research on the company and QOL. I would steer clear of the Trans States, Go Jets, Mesa, and Pinnacle, but thats just my personal opinion. Those companies do not provide good work rules for their pilots such as duty day, compensation, days off, etc. Good Luck

Johns... Do you mind me asking who you work for?

T

ExpressJet, might not be the best opportunity for you. I got in at a really good time two years ago. Great work rules, decent pay for regionals, and the company treats you well. The whole company is in for a ride in the next 1-2 months. We are about to find out whats happening to the 69 airplanes that CAL doesn't want us to fly for them any more. Thats too long of a story to into, but I'm sure if you search this sight you'll find it. Point being, I would highly suggest staying close to home if possible, especially if you value time with the family. Colgan pilots are a good bunch of guys and gals, and 1900 or SAAB flying is fun. I don't know what their QOL is like, even if you are senior. 1900 flying can be hard on you though, especially on the east coast with that wx. No autopilot, so you gotta hand fly those ILS's to mins and doing that 5-7 times a day can wear on ya.

You can't get away from not being home, this industry requires it. It's something that you have to talk to with your family and have to agree on if you want to pursue pro flying. Trust me, Colgan and some p135 cargo that let you come home everyday, are NOT the best places to be thinking about making it a long term job. Also you have to remember that yes one might say they get half the month off, but it's not continous days off, it's here and there. There are exceptions however, some fractionals/cargo have 1 week on 1 week off schedules, so if you want to be home longer that's your best bet.

Business Owner
 

Working for others bites on any level. Just keep your business and forget about it. Perhaps in a few years if you can't stop yourself you could get any regional or commuter job that you can. Stick with it for three to six months till you wake up to how awful it really is and then quit. Whatever you do don't throw away a good income for this.

If you have enough money to afford your own plane then you are already far ahead of the game. Why risk what you already have for a life of indentured servitude?

It is all relative. Some broke CFI's will enjoy a one to three year honeymoon once they reach a regional only to realize that they have been duped. My guess is that you wouldn't be happy working 21 days a month and earning 20K. Often airline pilots are in such a deep state of denial that they only look at the very best case situations. The reality is that most are working their tails off for peanuts and are gone most of the time and are dead tired the rest.

On top of all that the flying is about as much fun as watching paint dry. If you don't believe me then try sitting in front of MS flight Simulator for 6 hours strait during a level flight across country. Do that for three days strait then you will begin to get the idea.

SkyHigh

Do not, I repeat, do not listen to Skyhigh.

is that how far you made it in your career?

sorry dude, that does suck!

Smoke / FP
 

I can't expect you guys to understand. You are still wage earners. However, this guy has something going for him. Why would you want to bring him down?

SkyHigh

i would keep my own business and plane and fly on the side

all the fun, none of the bull****