- 2,600 TT, ATP, over 1,100 turbine - turbo props and jets
Former 9E FO - after the bankruptcy I requested a LOA but was denied
twice so I resigned in 2012

- I'm working in medical sales making over 3 X what I made at 9E, home in
bed every night. 20 min from work. My employer values my
contributions, input, and makes me feel appreciated. I fly for free for
a couple of Part 91 owners in my spare time to maintain my currency.

- Not a day goes by that I don't think about and miss 121 flying.

What would it take? Slim to no chance of me voluntarily going back to a regional. But, to answer the question, it'd take $45-50K first year, 14 days off minimum, and commutability. There are other details but this would get the discussion with me started.

Seems like there are lots of guys like me out there and I'm probably way low on the experience end - but still qualified.

 

1350 TT and worked at a regional. Had opportunity to make just about 100K/year in a tennis teaching job so I bailed on aviation. Miss flying, but not all the crap and being held hostage. I make my own schedule and am my own boss--usually. I just travel for fun when I need to smell jet A. Weekend trip to Vegas! It'd take about 60k starting pay and 100k second year for me to go back, so I won't be, lol.

 

Thanks! Those of us flying professionally really appreciate that.

 

Nothing. Traded in Part 121 for something else. And something else is light years better.

 

I don't hear many people who can say they are very happy. I think thats one of the biggest reasons why I don't want to pursue a 121. When you take that and the pay it's a easy decision for for me. Once my child gets a bit older I MAY consider it. But for now I'll wait for the great shortage and higher pay.

 

Reading all of this makes me wonder how any of the Regionals stay in the air. Why does anyone fly for them?

 

I escaped the regionals in 2000. The pay was crap and treatment by management was worse. Nothing has changed since then except the costs of training have gone WAY up and 1-2 year upgrades are history. The constant threat of being fired, busting a checkride or taking pay cuts really beats you down. It is very degrading. I am totally inspired by the mentality that has swept over the current generation of regional airline pilots and prospective regional airline pilots. I have so much respect for you guys for saying enough is enough. $22,000/year to sit reserve 18 days/month, far from your home and endure blatant disrespect from your employer? Nope. The gig is up.

 

I have to admit I am impressed as well. While not all the group is considered to be Generation Y Millennials, corporations in general fear their non-conformity in the non-aviation working world.

 

1.) Describe your aviation experience (time, type, hours, etc..)

3,200 TT, 550 Turbine. ATP, 2500 PIC

2.) What are you doing now? Does it pay well? How much if you are willing to share? Compare and Contrast your quality of life.

Chief Pilot of a 141 flight school, flying charter 135 and running a ferry company. Doesn't pay all that great but much better than most 3-5 year FOs and I get to be home every day I am not on a ferry trip.

3.) What would it take to bring you back to the airlines?

I would like to see at least a $35K starting salary. (I would love to see $45K as a starter but I am trying to be realistic here). National seniority system would be the sinker for me.

 

It would take about 3x the starting pay, repeal of the RLA, pilot pay based on something other than # of passengers, the major airline with their name on the CRJ being held accountable and liable for the regional's operation (unless they decided to take the name off and not call it by the major's name) and a total overhaul of the seniority system (possibly doing away with it as it's currently known). I see the fine women and men of the 121 world piloting their airliners every day in my job and I can tell you there is no real difference between someone flying a dash-8, 737 or 777. Flown a little differently, but not enough to make up $250K difference in pay, not by a longshot.

Of course for these things to happen, it would likely mean a downsizing of the industry, majors taking more routes back, less service to small hubs where people can drive in a reasonable distance to the major hubs, and so on. The industry has been artificially inflated for a long time now, supporting the demand because the product can be offered for a certain price. If that price changes, the demand for it will change too and the industry will have to adapt. IMO there's a fixed amount of demand at a certain price. The thousands of parked airliners in the desert tell me the demand is just not there, or at least being artificially supported by the regional model.

Of course, I don't think the stuff in the 1st paragraph will actually happen, more than likely the regionals will just start to crumble and implode, possibly resulting in many similar outcomes, but to a much lesser extent and without ever making the overall changes that would bring back so many people. That's kind of it though, the demand doesn't really exist IMO for that many pilots. The demand only exists at a certain level, which if it can be sustained, is pretty much only good for the executives.