What to do?
09-12-2014, 07:03 PM
#1
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Posts: 59
What to do?
Okay so I know there are better places to ask for suggestions than here but I was curious to know what this pessimistic group of pilots has to say about a regional job.
I've got a reserve job flying helos down in Houston. I am very near minimums to meet the military R-ATP reqs. I guess I still have SJS because I'm looking at what I might do if I go to an airline. Here is my question...
If you were a pilot with minimums now, which airline would you go to? If you needed to be based in Houston, which airline would you aim for?
I'm almost disgusted with the idea that I would go work for a regional airline but at this point, I'm feeling like I'm willing to take a plunge and see for myself why every single one of you hate it.
I sincerely hate that the whipsaw always works and puts regional pilot groups against one another but the reality is I need a job and I want to avoid being a 10 year F/O. I've pretty much decided that if I don't make CA within about 5 years, I'll likely be going to pursue ExPat work or completely change careers.
All of these airlines suck from what I can tell... the real question is, what should a young guy like me do? I see a lot of envoy pilots hating PSA and it does seem seedy that PSA is proudly proclaiming their quick upgrades on their hiring website but what the hell should I do if I want to work at an airline. It seems that the reality is that working for Compass, PSA, or Mesa is something I should consider. I thought about XJT but it doesn't seem like they're doing too hot lately either with their everlasting divide between Legacy XJT and ASA. Not to mention that they've stopped hiring.
I'll be needing a job around March. I realize a lot can change but any input is appreciated. I'm young, single, and don't want kids.
I've got a reserve job flying helos down in Houston. I am very near minimums to meet the military R-ATP reqs. I guess I still have SJS because I'm looking at what I might do if I go to an airline. Here is my question...
If you were a pilot with minimums now, which airline would you go to? If you needed to be based in Houston, which airline would you aim for?
I'm almost disgusted with the idea that I would go work for a regional airline but at this point, I'm feeling like I'm willing to take a plunge and see for myself why every single one of you hate it.
I sincerely hate that the whipsaw always works and puts regional pilot groups against one another but the reality is I need a job and I want to avoid being a 10 year F/O. I've pretty much decided that if I don't make CA within about 5 years, I'll likely be going to pursue ExPat work or completely change careers.
All of these airlines suck from what I can tell... the real question is, what should a young guy like me do? I see a lot of envoy pilots hating PSA and it does seem seedy that PSA is proudly proclaiming their quick upgrades on their hiring website but what the hell should I do if I want to work at an airline. It seems that the reality is that working for Compass, PSA, or Mesa is something I should consider. I thought about XJT but it doesn't seem like they're doing too hot lately either with their everlasting divide between Legacy XJT and ASA. Not to mention that they've stopped hiring.
I'll be needing a job around March. I realize a lot can change but any input is appreciated. I'm young, single, and don't want kids.
Last edited by Forrest Gump; 09-12-2014 at 07:45 PM.
09-12-2014, 08:23 PM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: DHC-8
Posts: 150
OK, I'll bite. Just for some background, I've been at Piedmont for 8 years. I upgraded last year when I was 28. I never asked people to help me pay for anything or make ends meet. I've always lived in base and that has required me to move several times; once time 3 times in 3 months. My brother just passed his instrument checkride and is thinking of making a career in aviation. This is the same advice I gave him last night at the bar.
If you don't care where you live, the major carriers could care less where you come from. They only care about minimums and if you meet or exceed them. Ask any mainline pilot and they have no clue what is going on in the regional industry.
With that said, go to where you can get your time and move on or go to somewhere where you don't commute. If you don't commute your quality of life increases exponentially. If you live in base there is a chance that while you are on reserve you can go to your son's soccer game or your daughter's dance recital. It's not guaranteed you can attend but it is better than being on reserve 2000 miles away in NYC. Regional carriers are not designed to be a career places. I wish that was different but its the honest to god truth. If you can't live in base, do your time and move on. Others have already set the bar low and your decision to join or not to join specific carriers (i.e. PSA, GoJet, or Mesa) will not hurt them. I do believe while you are at that carrier you should try to make gains for your pilot group and those who come after you (why I think the PDT TA is a POS) but it's not going to change the industry overnight.
In the end do what is best for you. If you can go to a regional that has a base in Houston but has a longer upgrade and worst work rules your personal quality of life will definitely be better than commuting to NYC during a blizzard.... But if you upgrade in 2 years and start building multi turbine 121 PIC you will be out of the regionals in 5 to 7 years and at the airline you want to be at for the rest of your career.
Nothing is guaranteed in this industry but you need to decide what works best for you. When I got hired the upgrade time at PDT was 7 years going to 3 years since they didn't hire many between 2001 and 2004. I sat reserve for Piedmont for 4 years as an FO thanks to raising the retirement age to 65. There are no guarantees. Either decision you make, just be happy with it.
If you don't care where you live, the major carriers could care less where you come from. They only care about minimums and if you meet or exceed them. Ask any mainline pilot and they have no clue what is going on in the regional industry.
With that said, go to where you can get your time and move on or go to somewhere where you don't commute. If you don't commute your quality of life increases exponentially. If you live in base there is a chance that while you are on reserve you can go to your son's soccer game or your daughter's dance recital. It's not guaranteed you can attend but it is better than being on reserve 2000 miles away in NYC. Regional carriers are not designed to be a career places. I wish that was different but its the honest to god truth. If you can't live in base, do your time and move on. Others have already set the bar low and your decision to join or not to join specific carriers (i.e. PSA, GoJet, or Mesa) will not hurt them. I do believe while you are at that carrier you should try to make gains for your pilot group and those who come after you (why I think the PDT TA is a POS) but it's not going to change the industry overnight.
In the end do what is best for you. If you can go to a regional that has a base in Houston but has a longer upgrade and worst work rules your personal quality of life will definitely be better than commuting to NYC during a blizzard.... But if you upgrade in 2 years and start building multi turbine 121 PIC you will be out of the regionals in 5 to 7 years and at the airline you want to be at for the rest of your career.
Nothing is guaranteed in this industry but you need to decide what works best for you. When I got hired the upgrade time at PDT was 7 years going to 3 years since they didn't hire many between 2001 and 2004. I sat reserve for Piedmont for 4 years as an FO thanks to raising the retirement age to 65. There are no guarantees. Either decision you make, just be happy with it.
09-12-2014, 08:36 PM
#6
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Posts: 59
Originally Posted by FaceBiter
Tl;dr's people. Learn it. Use it. Love it. I lived under power lines as a kid so I'm unable to read more than 4 sentences in any one post.
09-12-2014, 09:07 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: FIRE ALPA
Posts: 3,082
Houston... it has to be Colgan all the way then.. oh wait... well at least you'll get some killer seniority out of it.....
Yes I just looked at today's updated seniority list and compared hire dates for some stupid reason....
TYFAYD ALPA.... Now give me back my 2%
Yes I just looked at today's updated seniority list and compared hire dates for some stupid reason....
TYFAYD ALPA.... Now give me back my 2%
09-12-2014, 09:44 PM
#10
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Nov 2012
Position: It's hot out here.
Posts: 615
Originally Posted by jamesah2008
Okay so I know there are better places to ask for suggestions than here but I was curious to know what this pessimistic group of pilots has to say about a regional job.
I've got a reserve job flying helos down in Houston. I am very near minimums to meet the military R-ATP reqs. I guess I still have SJS because I'm looking at what I might do if I go to an airline. Here is my question...
If you were a pilot with minimums now, which airline would you go to? If you needed to be based in Houston, which airline would you aim for?
I'm almost disgusted with the idea that I would go work for a regional airline but at this point, I'm feeling like I'm willing to take a plunge and see for myself why every single one of you hate it.
I sincerely hate that the whipsaw always works and puts regional pilot groups against one another but the reality is I need a job and I want to avoid being a 10 year F/O. I've pretty much decided that if I don't make CA within about 5 years, I'll likely be going to pursue ExPat work or completely change careers.
All of these airlines suck from what I can tell... the real question is, what should a young guy like me do? I see a lot of envoy pilots hating PSA and it does seem seedy that PSA is proudly proclaiming their quick upgrades on their hiring website but what the hell should I do if I want to work at an airline. It seems that the reality is that working for Compass, PSA, or Mesa is something I should consider. I thought about XJT but it doesn't seem like they're doing too hot lately either with their everlasting divide between Legacy XJT and ASA. Not to mention that they've stopped hiring.
I'll be needing a job around March. I realize a lot can change but any input is appreciated. I'm young, single, and don't want kids.
I've got a reserve job flying helos down in Houston. I am very near minimums to meet the military R-ATP reqs. I guess I still have SJS because I'm looking at what I might do if I go to an airline. Here is my question...
If you were a pilot with minimums now, which airline would you go to? If you needed to be based in Houston, which airline would you aim for?
I'm almost disgusted with the idea that I would go work for a regional airline but at this point, I'm feeling like I'm willing to take a plunge and see for myself why every single one of you hate it.
I sincerely hate that the whipsaw always works and puts regional pilot groups against one another but the reality is I need a job and I want to avoid being a 10 year F/O. I've pretty much decided that if I don't make CA within about 5 years, I'll likely be going to pursue ExPat work or completely change careers.
All of these airlines suck from what I can tell... the real question is, what should a young guy like me do? I see a lot of envoy pilots hating PSA and it does seem seedy that PSA is proudly proclaiming their quick upgrades on their hiring website but what the hell should I do if I want to work at an airline. It seems that the reality is that working for Compass, PSA, or Mesa is something I should consider. I thought about XJT but it doesn't seem like they're doing too hot lately either with their everlasting divide between Legacy XJT and ASA. Not to mention that they've stopped hiring.
I'll be needing a job around March. I realize a lot can change but any input is appreciated. I'm young, single, and don't want kids.
