Training delays... and the best path to the majors.

The most important factor in selecting a regional with the goal being a major airline career is...

  • Seniority number

    Votes: 5 12.5%

  • Getting a base close to home

    Votes: 16 40.0%

  • Schedule

    Votes: 2 5.0%

  • Pay

    Votes: 2 5.0%

  • Flow

    Votes: 1 2.5%

  • Soft tacos

    Votes: 14 35.0%
  • Total voters
    40
jmc4

jmc4

Well-Known Member
Hello all, another member mentioned I should throw this question out there as it now seems like a few regionals have pretty serious training delays. One regional airline is assigning new hire class dates from June next year to as late as August.

With the end goal being a career at a major airline, would you advise an individual approaching ATP mins to go wherever they can get a seniority number and quick upgrade now or shop for a regional with the best (something else) if it means no seniority number for 6-11 months?

I know there are many variables, but let’s assume the individual has a college degree, no kids, no wife, no debt, really nothing to keep them tied to a location. While these variables are not mine, I thought it be nice to get some input so others can have a baseline to make their decision if they are in a similar situation.
 
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Regionals have tacos? What am I doing with my life?

Full disclosure...from an outsider...Seems like getting that turbine PIC as fast as possible is the ticket. I'd go for the fastest upgrade if a) I didn't care about where the bases were and b) it wasn't a dumpster fire of a place to work. But like I said...I am by no means an authority. Outside looking in.
 
Go to the place that will get you upgraded the fastest, and MOVE TO LIVE IN YOUR BASE. FO salaries are all livable now and once you upgrade you will make more money anyway. Not having to commute to base will make your life so much easier and make your money go further with no commuting expenses.

Feel free to PM if you want info on PSA.
 
Beefy McGee said:
Go to the place that will get you upgraded the fastest, and MOVE TO LIVE IN YOUR BASE. FO salaries are all livable now and once you upgrade you will make more money anyway. Not having to commute to base will make your life so much easier and make your money go further with no commuting expenses.

Feel free to PM if you want info on PSA.
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Agree with what Beefy says. Also if you want any info on PSA as someone who just upgraded and will be with the company 2 years next month, feel free to PM me as well.
 
I’m older school, but I’d say get that seniority # ASAP.
This is coming from a guy who was hired at a “major” with 0 121 PIC.

Now, if you’re holding your nose up against my cheap ass employer and want only the big 3, I also know plenty of folks with 0 121 PIC who work at the big 3 as well.

I’ve also stopped trying to explain how a 2nd year FO flying a bus, makes more than a 12+ year RJ captain. But if wearing a hat is worth the $30-$40k/year in salary difference, good on them.
 
Quite uncanny, I have a friend in a similar situation. So the advice would be take the soonest class date, even if it's with a slightly less desirable shop than the place he'd have to wait for a class?
Is there enough of a difference between any of the mainstream regionals where you'd advise to not go to a particular shop just because you could get an immediate class date?
 
Keep in mind, this has been a very good time for the last several years... the music WILL stop at some point in time. Hopefully, you're at a place you can stomach for several years, as all the "lost decade FOs" can attest to.

Best of luck on the decision!

For the record, as a guy who never went regionals, I voted tacos. ;)
 
Stone Cold said:
Keep in mind, this has been a very good time for the last several years... the music WILL stop at some point in time. Hopefully, you're at a place you can stomach for several years, as all the "lost decade FOs" can attest to.

Best of luck on the decision!

For the record, as a guy who never went regionals, I voted tacos. ;)
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That was my logic in picking where I went, I figured if things went belly up for a while it wouldn't be a terrible place to be stuck and was relatively secure. Had I taken a bigger chance on a few other regionals, I could have upgraded a lot quicker, but maybe not had the stability.

It's kind of a crap shoot. List the places you're thinking about, your priorities, and weigh the pros and cons of each one. With a degree and nothing tying me down, I'd be a little more inclined to take the fast track to upgrade and try to GTFO.
 
What if taking the earlier class date and quicker path to upgrade meant backing out of a CJO?

Could backing out of a CJO possibly prevent the individual from getting hired later in their career?
 
jmc4 said:
What if taking the earlier class date and quicker path to upgrade meant backing out of a CJO?

Could backing out of a CJO possibly prevent the individual from getting hired later in their career?
Click to expand...
I don't think it would make that much of a difference. Regionals give out CJOs like candy right now, you still have to pick the best one for you. I had kind of a standing job offer that I didn't formally turn down until I was in the middle of class at my current airline. That said, I did take the airline that called first because I didn't want to risk botching the second half of the interview at the other airline I was considering. There's a lot of people that flat out don't show up for class. If you do decide to take the other airline instead of the one offering you a job right now, handle it professionally, thank them for the opportunity, and I think you will be fine in my opinion. Do what's best for you.
 
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