I'd like to add that ExpressJet started as Continental Express and was designed as a feeder to Continental. There was a flow in place and when 9/11 happened, Continental pilots flowed back, thus displacing express pilots. None of the Continental pilots complained about that. Later Continental recalled their furloughs, IPO'd express to raise crash, took a few more flows and canceled the program; slamming the door in everybody's face.

 

And I'd like to add that you are COMPLETELY WRONG ABOUT THAT.

There were PLENTY of CAL pilots (flows) that cried when they got furloughed, had to flow back back to flying the RJ, retaining their seniority, pay rate they left on, bid status, and pass travel date.

Meanwhile, guys at NWA, USAir, DAL, etc DIDN'T have a job to flow back into and were on the street.

 

A few years ago (3-4?) ASA did offer a buyout. Only one guy took it and he was getting ready to quit anyway. At the time I would have got something like $ 35-38K to leave. Hardly worth it, so most of us stayed. So they (mgt) were fishing or not serious, or both.

 

Anyone looking to get hired at a Legacy airline should hope that everyone working at a regional is a lifer. Less competition for the job.

Do you really want another couple thousand well qualified applicants to compete against?

 

Bankruptcy court/judge.

 

This has always been my thought, I love lifers and encourage it to all my captains that they should stay put.

 

Thats like telling everyone you know to not go to college because it will make your degree worth more

 

I can only speak about the hobbyists I know at Mesa. Most have left already. I do know two captains who run trucking businesses, and I wouldn't call them hobbyists. They are dead set on their aviation career, and just want multiple sources of income for peace of mind. Hard to imagine some one doing this at the regional level just for a hobby, long term. Hobbyists tend to prefer doing what they want, when they want.

 

Congratulations on the railroad job but listen very carefully, it ain't no walk in the park. I put 2 years in with the Union Pacific railroad as a conductor and my Dad retired after 41 years there. I just finished a decade at Mesa, and am now at Frontier. So I can tell you first hand, the Railroad was by FAR AND AWAY a more grueling job. Airline beat down and fatigue is daisies and buttercups compared to RR beat down. The feeling of Fatuigue is on entirely different level. The good part, my Dad punched out at 60 with 4K a month free and clear for life, the bad part, he earned every penny and then some. The railroads will suck your life blood too, and you will never see more than 2 or 3 days off. The rest rules can put you turning on 8 hrs rest indefinately and though that marathon crap doesn't happen often, it happens with some regularity. Locomotives are like riding in a public bathroom for hours on end. They are dirty and smell like a full llavatory all the time, every one, every railroad. You'll be missing your cockpit the first time your soaked to the bone in 32 degree sleet for 12 hours strait from 0200 to 1400. Oh yyeah you're back on at 2200 that night for another 12. Ad nausea. Be careful. pM me if u like.

Typed on mobile, forgive typos pls.

 

At one time, yes. But a combination of things has changed my mind.

-Uncertainty of the future of regionals. In fact, I'm certain they will be gone with one or two exceptions.
-Better new-hire pay at the majors.
-Quicker pay parity, you can reach it now in year 2 or three.
-Retirement, even with only a few years at the majors retirement will be better funded.

Starting over with vaca and seniority is painful, especially with a family, but in the long run it's worth it.