mcnitchell

Question - What is a realistic expectation of time to go from newbie right seat FO at Skywest, or any regional, to a major airline? Do I have enough time left to make it to one?

I am a happily married dad of three kids. Currently living in LA and work full time as a Police Officer (11 years now) and part time CFI. Prior to becoming a Police Officer, I flew RJ's for American Eagle.

Wife and I want to leave this state and pursue another shot at the airlines. We know what we'd be giving up; pay, pay, me at home nightly, and more pay. I'm (wife included) tired of being a cop and living in California. I'm sure some of you will call me crazy, but it is what it is.

I have 25 years left to give to the industry. I know this hiring trend wont last forever, and a recession is inevitable. It would suck to get hired at the tail end of this wave and be stuck in the right seat at the regional level for God knows how long. That's my only concern honestly.

I'm open to any thoughts, advise, criticism, or whatever.

Thanks.

Otterbox

Depends on what comapnies you apply for. I’ve got buddies who have the option to upgrade at Skywest or go to 2nd tier majors and ACMIs and they’re just finishing up their first year on property.

Myfingershurt

Leaving California is the most sane thing you could ever do! Even if you don’t go to an airline you’d still be better off leaving that ridiculous place.

mcnitchell

Couldn't agree more. We are hopefully Arizona bound since that's where family and friends reside.

trip

If you have a 4yr then you should be in the balk park in 3-6 yrs. Do the usual stuff like training, union, volunteer work to pad the resume for increased points.

mcnitchell

OK cool, thanks. Yes I have a 4yr. I did an internship with Alaska back in my college days and I received a letter from the CP guaranteeing me an interview. I still have the letter. You think they’ll honor it after all these years?

Humpty d

I've never understood what volunteer work has to do with someone getting an airline job. Never come across that concept anywhere before except for the states.

tomgoodman

Some HR offices think it indicates a “personality type” that likes to do nice things for others without expecting a reward, which would forecast good customer service. However, once applicants discover that volunteer work does pay off (in better hiring prospects) and suddenly develop an urge to help people, the theory becomes less convincing.

iahflyr

What sort of pension are you giving up? Can you get that pension at 20 years? That is definitely something to consider. I’m not sure I would give up a pension if I were that close. You’ll still would have plenty of years to fly for an airline even if you waited that long.

As for leaving California, to each his own. I was born and raised in Texas, and once I got a taste of the sunshine, year round good weather, beaches 15 minutes away, the healthy lifestyle, and all the fun things to do out in California, I moved there and now would never consider leaving for anything. I also made almost as much money just owning my house in California as I did working as a major airline FO, so the extra 5k total in taxes versus most states didn’t really even hit my radar.

Every major airline has an LA base. Live anywhere else and you severely cut back your options for airlines without a commute. To give you an idea, I wouldn’t take a 50k a year raise if it meant I had to commute. Living in base is the absolute most important thing once you’re in the industry. So definitely consider that if you’re moving to another city.

mcnitchell

Thanks for the response. As far as pension goes, it works like this: If I stay 10 more years (I'd be 50 years old), I could retire and collect approximately 70k a year until I die. If I punch out now, I would roll my existing pension account (currently valued at 120K) into one of my existing IRA's. Those two IRA's have averaged 10-12% annual return for several years. That 120k would be worth approx 900k by the time I turn 59 1/2 and could start drawing on it. Yes, the market can and probably will crash at some point, but you just gotta ride the wave! It always comes back.

California... I have a love/hate relationship. I used to love this place, but have grown to resent it. My wife and I purchased the home we live in for $575,000 a couple years ago. It is a very, very modest, old house. There is no way my kids, one of whom is nearly an adult, will be able to afford to live within two hours from us when she decides to move out unless she lives in an apartment in the ghetto with a roommate. We feel like we would be doing our kids a service by getting them out of California.

Commuting... We lived just outside DFW and commuted to ORD and was on reserve my entire short career while flying RJ's for $18 an hour. I wish I would have waited for that base transfer to DFW, but California's finest law enforcement agency came knocking offering me a job and a starting salary of $80k. It was hard to pass up, so I took it. I regret it every day. But, here we are over a decade later, and things seem to have improved tremendously. Am I wrong?

Sorry for the rant! I've got a lot on my mind. Cheers!!!