You still made a good choice. Things are still sporty out there. Things are not steady state, and you are in a good place while the industry is still collecting itself. Two of the big 3 as well as SWA and Alaska haven’t even started scheduling interviews. Regional flying is still getting shuffled. Where do you think you are going to apply that your flight experience is going to disadvantage you, and to whom will you have the disadvantage? Don’t let FOMO get the best of you now. You are going to walk on to any regional you want next year at this time. Just stick with the plan unless you have a CJO at your most choice employer and you have the cash to cover the training contract.

I know people with jet type ratings and part 121 time who still don’t have a job. Lots of places have announced hiring but very few have put butts in seats. There’s stiff competition to get 121 jobs currently, and unless you’re a cadet or prior CJO, very few people with 25hrs of multi time at ATP minimums are competitive. Put your apps out but keep plugging away- you’re in a decent spot.

Always a good idea. Until you are at your final employer - the one you are happy to stay with until retirement - you ought to be buffing and polishing that resume at least quarterly, and applying (or updating your previous application) anywhere you are close to meeting minimums and at any significant milestones (upgrades, check airman, added duties, etc.)

Getting on at your career major is all a matter if luck, and the harder you work at it the luckier you will be.

I thought cape had some type of flow agreement to jetblue? If so that’s probably a good deal especially if you’ve moved to base. For any other airline that’s a tough call.

Bumping this thread again. I am in the same position as the OP, I took the upgrade and I'm 3 months into my 15-month contract. Pilots are leaving this company 'en masse' and it's very hard to stay knowing that it's really part 121 turbine time I need to go to a legacy. Also, the amount of the contract wasn't discussed earlier but it's $30,000 non-pro-rated. Also, I have a class date in April for my choice regional. 1650TT. Currently getting 135 PIC multi-piston time. 27 YO. The ultimate goal is widebody Legacy.

Once again, I would like to hear opinions on making the sacrifice ($30,000) now to get on board with the seeming elevator to the top (regional then legacy).

If I paid out, I would have literally no money outside of my retirement accounts to weather another black swan... but if things continue to get better I could live off a regional FO salary. (No debt or family)

Another few options would be, getting on with a ULCC or NetJets in March of 2023 with about 2600TT and 1100 135 PIC multi-piston. This would be the most profitable route. But, my fear is that this might put me 1 year behind others getting on with regionals now and ~1000 seniority numbers... and I would still have to interview for that position vs my regional class date I just need to accept or decline.

Looking for others career choices, advice, thoughts, and maybe another option I haven't thought of.

Thanks!