I've got to be honest. Maybe this industry isn't for you. I read your original post. You had a sentence in there that would probably eliminate you from consideration for even a regional job a decade or two ago. Definitely from a Legacy.

We've probably got a 2 year downturn we're looking at now. Then back to the greatest time to be a pilot ever. And you are having doubts about it. Compare that to 2008 when age 65 hit combined with the economy crashing. 5 year hold in place for everyone except pay rates were half of what they are now. $22 an hour to start. $35 second year. $60 an hour for a junior captain. And if you were junior 2-3 years of reserve. We had some CAs that spent nearly a decade on reserve with the timing. Seniority list stagnation was the norm everywhere. 7-8 year upgrade times when upgrade started up years later. A lot of pilots got out of the industry, they didn't want to deal with it. Most of those that stayed are now working at a Legacy. Or are really senior here at SkyWest and not worried about a layoff. Getting hired somewhere else with 2-4 years of regional experience was unheard of at that time.

If you want to be a airline pilot, be an airline pilot.

And to answer your question. Get in and do everything you can to move on. Beyond being the junior guy on reserve or with the crummy line, get in the training department, management, recruiting, SAPA, etc.. We've got chief pilots here with very little time with the company. A lot of jobs are open to the newest pilots on the property. Or get comfortable and live your life.

 

What sentence was that?

 

I'm wondering too.

 

It was how you stated how you didn't want to be the junior guy. It showed a lack of motivation. Seriously, a decade ago, post on this forum got job offers rescinded. No joke.

Imagine a situation in 5-10 years you are interviewing with United. They can see you attended training here, but didn't come back. They ask why? Are you going to lie? Tell them you didn't want to commute to reserve? Only wanted to be in the industry if you could upgrade at less than two years. What if it's just an interview with Republic in a year or two? United has thousands of pilots that have already been laid off TWICE, yet they stuck with it. If things stay bad, some of them may be laid off for a third time.

 

people go through by looking around and understanding that being stagnant on SkyWests list was comparatively better than the alternatives that many were going through.

 

Real talk, the guys being pricks are old heads and want you to do your time. How dare you want QOL!

If you want to stay at OO & balance the domicile that works for you, retire a regional pilot... then maybe you stay.

You didn’t have an inappropriate sentence. You also don’t know any different, that’s what you’re asking the question for.

The writing is on the wall for the March NH’s that were sent home. You’re going to be waiting a while. Nobody can predict the future here and from my experience, the OO folks love to act like they have better knowledge than the rest because frankly, when you get in the door everything does seem to work.

If you can get hired elsewhere, and it has a chance to grow your aviation career and immediately fly, I would take it.


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Putting in your dues is a different definition today vs 20 years ago... in the late 90’s you were expected to sit “sideways” (flight engineer) for 1 year min at DL. (Thats after spending a decade at a turboprop regional). Now your Dues are having to fly the CRJ or ERJ145 for 3 years before DL hires you.. Well the old days are back. Long reserve, no movement, Majors are not hiring.. just be glad Regional pay is more then the 90’s $19.25hr was ruff...


looking foward... anyones guess 2 years reserve. 2 years of a line. Upgrade at year 5-7. Back on reserve for a few years. Maybe by then the Majors are hiring. But that will be 1 spot for 500 applications... (hope thats worse case)

 

I’m a former mil fixed wing guy (and a gen x’r) which means I simply love the work. Never strapped in for QOL. There’s a TON of good advice here (apparently from pricks) which will get you thru. Press! I will gladly stand reserve as the most junior guy in ORD for years to come so I may have the pleasure of flying OO airplanes.

My lunges today or run yesterday sucked no less- but I love it all.

 

Amen......

 

Booze.


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