I drop as many trips as I can.

Can you explain dropping trips Tom? Are there penalties for doing so? Does the max amount of trips allowed to drop, change each bid or is it really frowned on at all? Have no experience in this sector of the flying industry. Hence the reason for the layman questions. Thanks.

Gotcha. I had heard that dropping trips at many regionals is now impossible given staffing shortages.

Some airlines allow you to drop trips below your monthly minimum guarantee. You won't make as much money as a result but you trade $$ for QOL. However, many regionals don't offer this, and the best attainable schedule might only grant you 15 days off per month on the high side, obviously can vary with the regional and how they're staffed. In that case then maybe you can trade trips and call in sick.

Sorry if this presents a thread drift, but have you looked at corporate in your area? There is a real need for fixed/rotor guys that pay big compensation out there if you are willing to look around.

Can you link to some dual rated jobs? I've got a few thousand hrs turbine helo, not so much fixed wing. Looking into regional because I figured they are the only place that'll have me with the low FW time lol!

this is actually a good thread, keep it going guys

Thanks BP, I actually have but most of those cush dual gigs seem to be on the East coast as far as I can tell. And if they are here in San Diego, they're locked up good. I would even take an FW-FO gig here if I could find one. Unfortunately, with almost 8000 helo but only 1000 FW my flight time is way off balance. Hoping some 121 time may help get things back in check.

With so many over 50's checking off their bucket list as "become airline pilot", maybe regional airlines should start advertising in Prevention and AARP magazines instead of the flying mags.

Actually.. this is a great thread.. You can see the difference in how the older guys communicate here compared to the younger regional guy .. Sorry if that offends anyone.. :)

47 year old here.. Retired Navy rotor wing and C-12 guy (B200). Did a few years in Afghanistan and a couple years flying a Falcon 900 in Saudi. Starting a regional job next week, just to have something closer to home. Tried to get a local corporate gig, but nothing worthwhile turned up.. Majors are an option, but at this point, I don't want to commute.. I really commend and look forward to a more mature perspective in the flight deck. When I spoke to another friend going through a sister company's ground school, there were lots of older guys throwing their hat in.