Regional To Mainline
 

In an ideal world with no furloughs, what would be the average time from new regional fo, to mainline fo?

This is a loaded question. For some guys with bad luck, it is 15+ years (or never). For others, it is <5 years.

For my generation (entered regionals in 2006) it seems to be 8 years or more. A few of the guys I was hired with have jumped, I make the move next week, but many are still stuck.

Amen. some thought they were going to be hired by Continental Express, then 9/11. They waited another 3 yrs and had the rug pulled out from under them, flow cancelled and CE become XJT. Then SARS, age 65, etc. So 2001 until now. Of course they made regional cpt in 2005, so that helped, but no mainline jobs available from 2001 until 2014. Those hired from 2004-2006, could upgrade in 2 yrs, after that, stagnation of 6,7,8 yrs.

10 years....

with college 4 year degree in-hand also by the way

I'd bet on a solid 10 years. If all goes well.

Took me a little over 5 years. I had a four year degree but didnt know anyone and not prior militay. I think I had 600 TPIC maybe 5500TT. RJ trash through and through and proud of it. Keep applying you never when the call will come

Letters of recommendation, job fairs, and/or internships can put you to front of the line.

Took me 3 1/2 years. Already had a degree. That's probably about average as I went through with very little mainline hiring. It's probably faster now that everyone's hiring.

In an ideal world? Zero.