Which Regional to work for?
04-30-2015 | 09:54 PM
#51
sippin' dat koolaid
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 982
Likes: 0
From: gear slinger
Pick somewhere that has a base where you live or worst case is an easy 1 leg commute. Secondary (but almost equal) to that would be movement and upgrade potential. For instance: I would rather make a 1 leg commute to say PSA, CPZ, or another decent carrier with a relatively quick upgrade than to work somewhere like RAH even if I lived in base. Just my .02 though, take it for what it's worth (spoiler alert: not much).
When I was considering the jump to a regional about a year ago, I asked a lot of the same type of questions. But I've realized why it's so hard to give advice on the questions... It's a completely personal choice. Everyone has an opinion, because everyone values different pros and cons differently. My goal is to get the hell out of the regional rat race ASAP. Whether that be through a legacy or lcc or whether it's through a good 135/91K company isn't so important for me. Just getting out and on to the next level of my career.
When I was considering the jump to a regional about a year ago, I asked a lot of the same type of questions. But I've realized why it's so hard to give advice on the questions... It's a completely personal choice. Everyone has an opinion, because everyone values different pros and cons differently. My goal is to get the hell out of the regional rat race ASAP. Whether that be through a legacy or lcc or whether it's through a good 135/91K company isn't so important for me. Just getting out and on to the next level of my career.
05-01-2015 | 06:13 AM
#53
sippin' dat koolaid
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 982
Likes: 0
From: gear slinger
05-01-2015 | 02:28 PM
#54
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: REPO
I flew for the worst (Mesa) and the best (SkyWest) regional airlines.
It was a while back, when regionals were smaller, and flew mostly turboprops.
Mesa, is still the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to work for. I quit as soon as I could find another job.
SkyWest is not what it used to be, but as far as I know, is still the best option.
It is my recommendation to any aviator looking for a decent place to fly, and not just for a quick upgrade.
It was a while back, when regionals were smaller, and flew mostly turboprops.
Mesa, is still the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to work for. I quit as soon as I could find another job.
SkyWest is not what it used to be, but as far as I know, is still the best option.
It is my recommendation to any aviator looking for a decent place to fly, and not just for a quick upgrade.
05-01-2015 | 02:58 PM
#55
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 310
Likes: 0
I flew for the worst (Mesa) and the best (SkyWest) regional airlines.
It was a while back, when regionals were smaller, and flew mostly turboprops.
Mesa, is still the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to work for. I quit as soon as I could find another job.
SkyWest is not what it used to be, but as far as I know, is still the best option.
It is my recommendation to any aviator looking for a decent place to fly, and not just for a quick upgrade.
It was a while back, when regionals were smaller, and flew mostly turboprops.
Mesa, is still the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to work for. I quit as soon as I could find another job.
SkyWest is not what it used to be, but as far as I know, is still the best option.
It is my recommendation to any aviator looking for a decent place to fly, and not just for a quick upgrade.
05-01-2015 | 04:12 PM
#57
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Reclined seat
Lets just make up an example here at year 2 rates.
$40/hr for FO living in base, vs $66/hr for captain commuting. Difference pre-tax is $1,950 at a 75 hour month, or approx $1,460 after taxes. Lets assume that with the commuting captain, you need to buy a hotel 4 times a month, at the tune of $65/night. Now your extra income is reduced down to $1,200 a month. Lets also assume the quick upgrade insurance rates are an extra $100 a month, vs the other companies. Now the difference is $1,100 extra.
Does that sound like a lot of extra money? Yes, it does. But now factor in that with having to commute for that quick upgrade, you're now spending less time at home. The trips at that company could be worse (such as lower credit), so you're having to work more days in addition to days commuting to and from work that you lose out on.
I believe a quick upgrade shouldn't be priority. QOL means more than the dollar amount paid to someone. I live in base as a FO, live a very relaxing life with quite a bit of day lines, and I make over $60,000 a year.
05-01-2015 | 04:59 PM
#58
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4,601
Likes: 0
From: CRJ FO
Twice the $ amount for pay means nothing.
Lets just make up an example here at year 2 rates.
$40/hr for FO living in base, vs $66/hr for captain commuting. Difference pre-tax is $1,950 at a 75 hour month, or approx $1,460 after taxes. Lets assume that with the commuting captain, you need to buy a hotel 4 times a month, at the tune of $65/night. Now your extra income is reduced down to $1,200 a month. Lets also assume the quick upgrade insurance rates are an extra $100 a month, vs the other companies. Now the difference is $1,100 extra.
Does that sound like a lot of extra money? Yes, it does. But now factor in that with having to commute for that quick upgrade, you're now spending less time at home. The trips at that company could be worse (such as lower credit), so you're having to work more days in addition to days commuting to and from work that you lose out on.
I believe a quick upgrade shouldn't be priority. QOL means more than the dollar amount paid to someone. I live in base as a FO, live a very relaxing life with quite a bit of day lines, and I make over $60,000 a year.
Lets just make up an example here at year 2 rates.
$40/hr for FO living in base, vs $66/hr for captain commuting. Difference pre-tax is $1,950 at a 75 hour month, or approx $1,460 after taxes. Lets assume that with the commuting captain, you need to buy a hotel 4 times a month, at the tune of $65/night. Now your extra income is reduced down to $1,200 a month. Lets also assume the quick upgrade insurance rates are an extra $100 a month, vs the other companies. Now the difference is $1,100 extra.
Does that sound like a lot of extra money? Yes, it does. But now factor in that with having to commute for that quick upgrade, you're now spending less time at home. The trips at that company could be worse (such as lower credit), so you're having to work more days in addition to days commuting to and from work that you lose out on.
I believe a quick upgrade shouldn't be priority. QOL means more than the dollar amount paid to someone. I live in base as a FO, live a very relaxing life with quite a bit of day lines, and I make over $60,000 a year.
05-01-2015 | 05:05 PM
#59
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 462
Likes: 0
Isnt the PIC time beneficial for a shot at the majors as well? I know some think that is not going to matter as much in the future, but I would think the person with the PIC would be ranked over one that doesn't have it...
05-01-2015 | 05:15 PM
#60
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Reclined seat
You are forgetting one important factor... PIC time. Despite what some would have you believe, that 1,000 hours 121 TPIC means a lot. It's a ticket out of the regionals (and not just to a legacy). A good way to land a decent job in the 135/91K world is to have that TPIC. If your goal is to get out of the regionals ASAP, getting the PIC time should be a factor in your decision making.
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