First Year Regional Stuff

Yeah, it's definitely been 'survivable' for me here.

To those that say all regionals are equal, I respectfully disagree. The best one is based wherever you live. Some do pay more than others.
And, there are companies that have their act together more than others. My company, on average, runs a tight ship, occasional bumps in the road (like the last few weeks) notwithstanding.
 
Two more months of first year pay for me but I'm in a bit of a different situation than most first year FO's. I'm a mid life career changer, (25 years as an A&P, 15 of those at UA until I was laid off in 2005) I'm married with a mortgage and all the associated expenses but my wife is a school teacher here in California and they do pretty well so it is her salary that allows me to "dabble in my hobby" as I like to say. That all being said there is no valid excuse for pay being what it is and there is no way I would have been able to do it as a younger man..
 
For what it's worth. I've averaged $2076 wages and $836 per diem. Reserve for 3 months although I worked every day and went over guarantee. Not ideal but doable since I squirreled away $8000 before taking the job. 3 months until second year pay, $10 increase.
 
Not true, but only because that's a relative term.

They all suck, but some are terrible.

Perhaps a poor choice of words on my part
; They do indeed all suck.

And how would a job at a major not be better than a job at a regional? Isn't the whole plan to have the company name on your paycheck match the paint on the plane?
 
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Perhaps a poor choice of words on my part (alcohol induced); They do indeed all suck.

And how would a job at a major not be better than a job at a regional? Isn't the whole plan to have the company name on your paycheck match the paint on the plane?

It's not to say that a job at mainline isn't better than a job at a regional. That, of course, goes without saying.

But to assume the opposite is true is disingenuous, and hurts us all, because it's nothing more than justification for our own poor choices with where we seek employment.

There is a wide range when it comes to how a regional treats its pilot group.
 
Oh yes those noodles.. So good... I remember them, playing some video games and looking at our pay checks, and realizing we made below minimum wage.
 
It's not to say that a job at mainline isn't better than a job at a regional. That, of course, goes without saying.

But to assume the opposite is true is disingenuous, and hurts us all, because it's nothing more than justification for our own poor choices with where we seek employment.

There is a wide range when it comes to how a regional treats its pilot group.
Nailed it.
 
I would say there are better regionals than majors. Not all major jobs are created equal. How many guys leave a regional for Allegiant, Miami Air, Sun Country, Frontier, even the pay at Air Tran (pre-merger) really was pretty low vice regional CA pay. Prior to the AA merger the pay at US Air starting at year one: $25, $57, $62, $73, $75, $77, $79 - and that is for the Airbus. I know more than one person who successfully interviewed there but said "no thanks". Especially with the contract with little opportunity for soft time. Many regionals have MUCH better contracts than the lower tier majors allowing for credit to well outstrip block time by a significant margin, 50% if not more, further accentuating the pay cut and the length of time it will be in effect.

In fact unless you can get on at one of the top carriers, I can definitely see why people stay put at a regional after getting "stuck" there for 8-10 years. At the mid career level the pay isn't too shabby (6 figures). I understand why people become lifers at Skywest, ExpressJet, and Republic (among others).
 
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In fact unless you can get on at one of the top carriers, I can definitely see why people stay put at a regional after getting "stuck" there for 8-10 years. At the mid career level the pay isn't too shabby (6 figures). I understand why people become lifers at Skywest, ExpressJet, and Republic (among others).

Get back to me when Skywest, ExpressJet or Republic start selling their own tickets.
 
Get back to me when Skywest, ExpressJet or Republic start selling their own tickets.
Also has a lot to do with exigent circumstances like, hometown airline, good(relative) schedule, and decent pay check for being based in the Midwest.
 
Also has a lot to do with exigent circumstances like, hometown airline, good(relative) schedule, and decent pay check for being based in the Midwest.

You missed my point.

If you don't sell your own tickets none of those things you just mentioned actually matter at all in the long run.

Sure, it might all work out for you and when you bail at 65 or whatever there is still in fact a hometown airline with good schedules and decent pay in the midwest, but it's also just as likely that they won't exists then.
 
You missed my point.

If you don't sell your own tickets none of those things you just mentioned actually matter at all in the long run.

Sure, it might all work out for you and when you bail at 65 or whatever there is still in fact a hometown airline with good schedules and decent pay in the midwest, but it's also just as likely that they won't exists then.
(Brand X) have now decided that your airplane and your base are surplus, goodbye!
 
You missed my point.

If you don't sell your own tickets none of those things you just mentioned actually matter at all in the long run.

Sure, it might all work out for you and when you bail at 65 or whatever there is still in fact a hometown airline with good schedules and decent pay in the midwest, but it's also just as likely that they won't exists then.
Whole-heartily agree. Just playing the devils advocate, based upon dudes I've flown with.
 
Yup. I saved up a bunch of money before jumping to my regional. Luckily I didn't have to use much of it and now it is more of a fall back in case of furlough or something similar. Just sucks since I could pay off my small loan with that money.

No one should have to "save up" to go to an airline. While you information is absolutely valuable to people considering a move, the data is despicable.
 
I don't know how you all do it. I suppose I scraped by in my early days also, but in general, find the whole thing repugnant. Not many other professions require this.
 
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