How often do majors hire from ULCCs?

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DxGenesis

Well-Known Member
I want to end up at a major. But should I stick it out with my regional or jump to an ULCC and keep applying to the majors?
 
DxGenesis said:
I want to end up at a major. But should I stick it out with my regional or jump to an ULCC and keep applying to the majors?
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Stop buying the generic pressed, baked corn. You've got to buy the co-marketed cereal box and find the secret decoder ring. Delta and Kellogg are like THIS >< Dontcha know nothin', ese?? ;)
 
DxGenesis said:
I want to end up at a major. But should I stick it out with my regional or jump to an ULCC and keep applying to the majors?
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People take various routes to get to the majors, many do go straight from regional to major, but with all the competition out there these days I think getting experience on larger equipment at a ULCC or large 121 Supplmental would look good on your resume...and even if you end up staying at the ULCC long term, they likely have a much higher top-out pay than the regional you are at now. So I would say in general, it's not a bad idea. Do you like where the ULCC is located? Do they have a good pay scale? Would you be taking a pay cut? Do you like the regional you are at, or does it have bad management and you want a change? Everyone's situation is different, so you have to decide for yourself.
 
Might as well make more money while you're waiting for the eventual end goal job. Thats what I did and am happy about how it went.

It also is good experience to dispatch bigger planes, new destinations, different rules, etc. Makes you a more well rounded dispatcher in the end.
 
Another thing is make yourself unique. If I were a hiring manager, and had 5 slots to fill and 20 resumes. I'd look for someone that has done over and above just holding a line, maybe an ATS, dispatch manager at a smaller 121 operation, something that sets you apart from the rest of the people who just hold a line doing 121 domestic dispatch. Set yourself apart with good, varied, and relevant experience I would think would go a long way.
 
To continue with what dispatchguy stated - it doesn't have to be skills learned at another airline.

Do you speak a foreign language?
Have you ever been a project manager, public speaker, instructor?
Can you claim and document perfect attendance for the past xx years?
Do you volunteer anywhere?

It may seem trivial to you but to a hiring manager, it might just be the key to hiring you.
 
Doesn't matter who you're dispatching for (within reason) dispatching Airbuses is experience that is more valuable than dispatching eJets or CRJs.
 
paincorp said:
Doesn't matter who you're dispatching for (within reason) dispatching Airbuses is experience that is more valuable than dispatching eJets or CRJs.
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Admittedly the Airbus or 737 is a much more forgiving aircraft compared to the CRJ200..

Edit to add:
I would definitely recommend that if you are at a regional go to a ULCC. The experience can only help. Plus you’ll make a lot more money with probably better QOL. Also, if you never get on with a legacy you can make a good life for yourself at somewhere like Spirit.
 
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Keep in mind also that a lot of people make careers at mid level airlines. Top out is $120k-ish at the Spirit and Atlas types. Seniority is gained very quickly compared to the majors. DEFINITELY go to a ULCC/cargo operation. Pay and QOL are not even on the same planet as a regional. Good experience, you'd have a leg up on regional competition at the majors. Literally zero cons.
 
It really depends on your personal situation, moving a family can cost alot of money and some ULCC's starting pay is only marginally better plus cost of living in South FL (Spirit) and Denver (Frontier) is pretty expensive when compared to alot of the regional's locations. You may end spending alot of money to relocate only to end up relocating again in 1-2 years. The experience definitely helps though, i can testify to that as I did this myself. And if your a single person with only a handful of stuff then it's definitely easier to swallow the expenses.
 
Thunderbird718 said:
It really depends on your personal situation, moving a family can cost alot of money and some ULCC's starting pay is only marginally better plus cost of living in South FL (Spirit) and Denver (Frontier) is pretty expensive when compared to alot of the regional's locations. You may end spending alot of money to relocate only to end up relocating again in 1-2 years. The experience definitely helps though, i can testify to that as I did this myself. And if your a single person with only a handful of stuff then it's definitely easier to swallow the expenses.
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Spirit has a pretty decent contract now and really as long as you stay away from Miami the cost of living isn't as outrageous as you'd expect. I couldn't envision living in south Florida, but that's a personal decision.
 
just for fun/ LEGACIES, MAJORS & ULCC'S compared to known retailers and superstores.
AA=COSTCO
DL=AMAZON
UA=TARGET
WN=WALMART
AS=PUBLIX/KROGER
B6=TRADER JOE'S
HA=NAVY EXCHANGE
NK=DOLLAR GENERAL
F9=DOLLAR TREE
G4=FAMILY DOLLAR
do you agree...?
 
stunnershow said:
just for fun/ LEGACIES, MAJORS & ULCC'S compared to known retailers and superstores.
AA=COSTCO
DL=AMAZON
UA=TARGET
WN=WALMART
AS=PUBLIX/KROGER
B6=TRADER JOE'S
HA=NAVY EXCHANGE
NK=DOLLAR GENERAL
F9=DOLLAR TREE
G4=FAMILY DOLLAR
do you agree...?
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Publix and Kroger are 2 separate companies
 
stunnershow said:
just for fun/ LEGACIES, MAJORS & ULCC'S compared to known retailers and superstores.
AA=COSTCO
DL=AMAZON
UA=TARGET
WN=WALMART
AS=PUBLIX/KROGER
B6=TRADER JOE'S
HA=NAVY EXCHANGE
NK=DOLLAR GENERAL
F9=DOLLAR TREE
G4=FAMILY DOLLAR
do you agree...?
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Disagree on WN - That is much better than Wal-Mart
 
I just got my cert back in October and I am currently looking into NetJets to start with. Does anyone think Spirit would hire someone from an operation like NetJets? Spirit would be an easy option for me in the future with their OCC moving to BNA.
 
ind_aviwxchaser said:
I just got my cert back in October and I am currently looking into NetJets to start with. Does anyone think Spirit would hire someone from an operation like NetJets? Spirit would be an easy option for me in the future with their OCC moving to BNA.
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As long As you know your stuff, present a humble and likeable personality, then your chances are as good as anyone's. Just don't drop any F bombs during the interview or come off as super cocky, they don't like that ;)
 
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