What would you do?

guywhoflies

guywhoflies

Y'NO WUT IM SAYIN
Sorry for the blatant rip off of the tv show title. My name isn't John Quiñones but the Allegiant thread got me thinking of a purely hypothetical situation.

What would be more attractive for attempting to transition from regional to legacy: taking a job with a LCC and hoping that the additional type rating would be enough to get the call OR staying at a regional and accepting an Assistant Chief Pilot position? Let's assume that the hypothetical pilot has no TPIC, but meets the other requirements of the legacies.

I saw @DE727UPS reply to the Allegiant talk and he mentioned that the "bigger airplane looks better on a resume if you want the best shot at an upper tier job."

I'm just curious if everyone thinks that is preferable over a management position...or pseudo-management depending on the company.

Thanks for the input, I look forward to everyone's opinions.
 
Kingairer said:
Does the hypothetical person have a Chief pilot offer on the table or is it a hope down the road?
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You thinking it would be a "bird in the hand" scenario? While I certainly appreciate that aspect, I am curious as to a more level playing field situation.

Just for discussion sake, let's assume the pilot has neither an assistant (or base) chief pilot offer nor an interview/job offer with a LCC.
 
A friend of mine, who I'm trying help,Is a chief pilot of decent sized 135 outfit. He's not getting calls, for whatever reason.

If your QOL can support a move to Allegiant, you'd be silly to pass it up in hopes of obtaining a Ass Cheif job.

I argue, it doesn't show leadership, but a greater potential for it (being a Cheif pilot). We all know people who are managers and not leaders.
 
IMO, I'd leave a regional for any LCC in a heartbeat. Those who went to Virgin are soon to be Alaska. And although not official, ya'll know it's coming. jetBlue/Hawaiian and Spirit/Frontier. The LCCs are basically in consolidation mode. They'll soon be a good place to be where you can hang your hat, and not have to move on to a legacy.
 
ChasenSFO said:
Very possible. If things don't take a 9/11 nose dive between now and then, anyway.
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Pilots are so afraid these days (generally speaking). It's like PTSD from the previous impacts of the last down turn. I'm not saying we can't be cautious, but believe me these airlines now and days will damn sure be able to float for a while even during a down turn until a recovery.

Yes a down turn will happen again. Let's all hope the $1billion net profits per Qtr over the next 2 yrs will give them enough cash reserves to float through another down turn... That is the key.

With really low interest rates for jets on hand, recent mergers, the big 3 are more efficient, lean mean money making machines (to include ancillary income). They are poised to handle another down cycle unlike early 2000's & housing bubble/great recession.
 
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Cherokee_Cruiser said:
IMO, I'd leave a regional for any LCC in a heartbeat. Those who went to Virgin are soon to be Alaska. And although not official, ya'll know it's coming. jetBlue/Hawaiian and Spirit/Frontier. The LCCs are basically in consolidation mode. They'll soon be a good place to be where you can hang your hat, and not have to move on to a legacy.
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I see the spirit/frontier possibility but the JetBlue/Hawaiian merger doesn't seem likely. I'm sure it's been talked about already in other forums.
 
ScorpionStinger said:
Pilots are so afraid these days (generally speaking). It's like PTSD from the previous impacts of the last down turn. I'm not saying we can't be cautious, but believe me these airlines now and days will damn sure be able to float for a while even during a down turn until a recovery.

Yes a down turn will happen again. Let's all hope the $1billion net profits per Qtr over the next 2 yrs will give them enough cash reserves to float through another down turn... That is the key.

With really low interest rates for jets on hand, recent mergers, the big 3 are more efficient, lean mean money making machines (to include ancillary income). They are poised to handle another down cycle unlike early 2000's & housing bubble/great recession.
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Damn right it's PTSD. I have it from graduating in the middle of the housing crisis, the level of skepticism of guys who went through the 9/11 career decimation must be sky high.
 
Roger Roger said:
Damn right it's PTSD. I have it from graduating in the middle of the housing crisis, the level of skepticism of guys who went through the 9/11 career decimation must be sky high.
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The problem I see is pilots buying into fear, not making career decisions due to this PTSD factor from previous down turns. This industry has totally changed and is still changing. The majors and LLCs can bunker for the storms IMHO.

The regionals Mgmt will make it appear as if they can not weather any storm for contractual leverage on pilots who have experienced bankruptcy/concession PTSD (see Mesa Airline MEC video to their pilot group)... Straight up PTSD & fear.

I think the biggest threat to Majors & LLCs right now are regulations & THREAT OF SUBSITUTES such as new high speed rail and other efficient low cost modes of transportation between major and mid-size cities.

five-competitive-forces-that-can-destroy-your-product-22-638.jpg
 
wheelsup said:
I personally know UAL has hired base CP's from my regional.
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Shoot, back when I was at Lakes, my first CP went to Alaska... I don't disagree with either position, as you have to do what's best for you. Every one of my moves has been a step forward in my opinion, which others might disagree.
 
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