I chased a regional upgrade, upgraded at 1500 TT, built some time, then moved on to be a captain at my next gig.

Now I'm chasing another upgrade and I still don't have 5000 TT.

One's personal career decisions aren't moral matters. To each their own.

 

Not if reserve times are long. I spent most of my first year on reserve hardly ever flying. It took me 2 years at a 121 carrier to break the 1,000 turbine mark and almost 3 years to go over 3,000 total. I was lucky only spending a year on reserve. Some of my friends in more senior bases are still on reserve after 3 years and don't build time very fast.

 

That's why he said two years min. That means two years or more.

 

Heath, proud of you man!

 

Sincere congrats to you sir! You hit it good!

Nevertheless, the upgrade chase is and always has been a crap shoot. That fact should NOT be minimized. ^^That^^ guy hit it; others may not receive the same blessing. If you don't hit, you risk either suck pay for longer than you expected or worse, you start over at -another- regional and take suck pay for at -least- another year. If you do, hey, you get to make a few more bags of peanuts while you wait on the mainline and also get to have the decision of settling for a career as a regional CA or continuing on for the big win with the majors!

To the guys considering rolling the upgrade dice: consider your situation and your age.

If you're young (23-30) and single, why not? You got time and freedom to gamble! Would probably be fun! I would, but I feel that I'm too old for that .

Also, most majors have dropped the turbine PIC requirement. Regional FOs are getting hired into mainline right seats left and right. Why chase an upgrade anymore unless you simply want to run your own jet ASAP?

Regional CA pay is good, but on average:

-1st year mainline FO makes the same as all regional CAs with 4-5 years seniority or less.

-2nd year mainline FO makes more than ANY regional CA, no matter the seniority.

If you have dependents, take the safest route for your family.

Some of the best advice I've recently heard is to look at the worst case scenario for each regional. Apply to places you wouldn't mind getting stuck for awhile.

After that, the commute should be the strongest deciding factor. Commuting will ruin your pockets and stress your life faster than anything. Exhibit only the highest level of professionalism at all times while you're there and get your apps out to the majors the day you finish IOE. The next 5-10 years are going to be exciting so stay ready to catch the wave when it comes your way! All the 'bags are going to be left behind so don't be one!

 

And add to that the fact he is saying avoid the ones with 50 seaters. Well XJT has almost all 50 seaters!

 

Because you get paid more and it increases your qualifications. What if you want to work overseas?

 

I'm Young (26), zero debt and no family.

At the urging of a good family friend (Fedex 777 CA) I have chased the quick upgrade by leaving one regional (S5) for another. (YV)

Would I recommend that to a guy with family and 100k in debt? Heck no!

I think everyone's situation is unique.

Either way I'll let you know how it worked out in the next 6-12 months.

 

That didn't take long. I knew somebody would soon bring the intl argument up. I figured I'd follow along with the discussion and stick to U.S. ops. Obviously, if you want to fly overseas you have no choice but to do what you have to do so you can. I wish any who aspire to fly overseas the best.

To further address that concern, there are some quite lucrative U.S. carriers that still require that elusive TPIC, such as 5X and FX. In that case, again, you do what you have to do. However, they may not be too far behind in dropping it as well. FX alone will have about 2000 forced out over the next 10 years.

Of course you make more $ as a CA. How obvious is that? That's why recruiters use it to bait you in and is at least part of why the op established this thread for the purpose of discussing the -perils- of chasing a regional upgrade.

It's no secret that if you don't have attractive pay and work rules, the best way to get enough FOs to fly with your quickly upgraded CAs is to tell them they will upgrade quick too. The only reason people will put up with sucking it is if you can make them believe they won't suck it for long. It's working VERY well for YV.

-It is NOT a good decision to base your employment decision on something that is not guaranteed in any way; unless of course you're young and/or willing to potentially "crap out" and start over.

-Everybody can't be upgraded to a regional CA. They need FOs too. Who's happy not grossing over $30K while waiting for the "quick upgrade"? Oh, and don't count on it only being that way for 2-3 years; you wait sub $30K for a WHILE. -Oh the grief- if you commute on top of that. Be smart and run the numbers.

Some regionals give you a more livable wage while waiting as an FO (EV, OO, etc.) 2nd year EV gross = $35100. 2nd year YV gross = $26100. YV even pays $1000 less the -first- year AND has the nerve to have a training contract! ROTFLMAO ***

 

^^THIS!!!^^