A regional for life...
 

With the hiring picking up both in majors and regionals, I would like to know if there are senior pilots are who are happy to be at a regional level. If so, what are the pros and cons of that specific company? What made you want to stay for so long? This thread is different than the "Which regional(s) are the best"? So please don't close this thread. It's meant to help pilots who may be interested in just staying at a regional as a lifer.

I am personally at crossroads, where I'm at the ripe age of 30. Not young, not too old but I am starting my way into 121. I eventually want to work for a major but who knows what will happen within the airline industry. What is more important, to be CA as fast as possible at a smaller regional (GLA, G7, TSA, PSA, PDT) or build more experience via a longer seniority route with a larger regional with the likes of SKW, XJT, AE, RAH, Mesa? Do larger regionals command a more reputable credential for future interviews with the legacy airlines?

Get to the one that will give you the best QOL, if a major airline is your goal then that's what you need to pursue. Find the regional that is the best fit, good contract, good pay (ok, ok....better than bottom feeder pay) and a base that will hopefully work for the time being (they close all the time). Get in, learn something, get that PIC time, and get out while the getting is good...Now, back to your first question, but I'm not one to answer that.

I'm a 9 year SkyWest Captain, 33, married with 3 kids. I'm based at home, senior on reserve and don't get called a lot most months of the year. If I want some extra money I can fly on my days off. My wife has a very good job, so the extra money I would make working for a major isn't that big of a deal. Even bidding at 75% in my base I'm almost always able to get whatever days off I want. My QOL is awesome. This year I was able to play in 2 golf leagues, play on a baseball team, watch almost all of my daughter's softball games and I just signed up to be her assistant coach.
If I went to a major I would have to commute for at least a few years. I'd have to give up all of the activities, since most of them happen while I'm on reserve at home not getting called.
If I had to commute, or were stuck doing 4 day trips all of the time or got called on reserve all of the time it would change things and I'd most likely be trying to leave.

I'll give you a historical prospective. Back in the 80's and early 90's, there were several good commuter airlines that a guy could work for his entire career. Air Wisconsin, Horizon, Rocky Mountain Airways, and Comair were all places that had good pay and benefits. Here's the problem. You don't own your flying and you're at the mercy of your main line partner. How many carriers has United put out of business?

So here's the problem. A career at a regional is a high risk proposition. I can't see someone voluntarily spending a 35 year career at one. It can be done. The question is should you do it.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^This^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You forgot Golden West...

Get your time in at a regional and get out. It's never a guarantee as the major may go under, but statistically it's far more likely to have a higher earning and more prosperous career at a major. The QOL and lifestyle at a major as a junior pilot is on par with a senior captain at a regional, and the monetary return continues far above an RJ captain. I'm a 7 year FO at a major and am making double what I was as an RJ captain...

Regionals are a dying breed. What will/has caused this?

1.) Consolidation of 3 legacies
2.) Flying being shifted back to mainline aircraft (which is great!)
3.) 50 seaters are out and being replaced by 70-80 seat aircraft. When this is
done, 1 70-80 seat aircraft can do nearly what 2, 50 seat aircraft can do.
Hence less pilots needed.

What is good today will not be good down the road. This business is ever changing. Go to a place where you can get TPIC time the fastest and then get out. TPIC is TPIC. For the most part, airlines that you are aspiring to go to down the road do not care about which airline you came from.

If you don't mind me asking, do you see yourself staying, or will you try to go elsewhere? Thanks.

Read the last sentence again!