JaceTheAce
Well-Known Member
No regional is good for family life.
Best Regional for a Family Life
- Thread starter ppragman
- Start date
The answer, if it were possible to give one, would be subject to change almost immediately. So rather than ask which airline does what, consider this: An airline pilot, any airline pilot, spends more time away from home than at home. He lives out of a suitcase for half the month. He works weekends. He works hoildays. He works redeye's. He's not home for a lot of family events and special occassions.
He also makes a better than average living, and he has more control over his work schedule than most people do. Is it good for families? That's entirely up to you. It is what you make of it.
jrh
Well-Known Member
Yeah, that.
I'm home every night. Many 4/3, 3.5/3.5, or 4/4 schedules. With our new contract, first year pay is guaranteed at $31k/year. Most new hires make mid-$30s. Base pay tops out in the $50k-$60k range. I know a senior IOE captain who makes $90k/year, but he's been with the company for 13 years and picks up a lot of overtime. With our "primary base" system, it's possible to stay in one city for the rest of your life, guaranteed. Good benefits, too...medical, dental, 401k, travel benefits on United/Continental for family, CASS jumpseating, etc.
If you're willing to fly a piston twin long term, I can't think of a better place to go.
The only thing I don't like is the repetitive nature of the work. I fly between the same city pair 88 legs/month. Very little variety.
If you want to come here, I'd be happy to answer more questions.
dasleben
That's just, like, your opinion, man
I actually somehow grossed $47,000 my first year, but part of it was spent in SJU, and another part beating myself up in RUT. Definitely hard work, but I never spent a night away from home. The lack of variety never really bothered me; I loved my routine. Before I left, I was LNS based. I'd get coffee in BWI after my first leg, fly back, get a bite to eat at the airport restaurant, fly 2-4 more legs, go home for lunch. 5 on/5 off. Couldn't beat it.
Still miss that job.
Cessnaflyer
Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I would say here at WP is good. Ome every night. Not for everyone though.
jrh
Well-Known Member
5/5??? Dang, you had it good. I'm not aware of any 5/5 schedules in the entire system anymore. I would LOVE a 5/5.
As for pay, there are plenty of ways to work the system (as evidenced by the $91k/year guy) but as a junior pilot, I wouldn't count on any more than the minimums. In the midwest region, it's difficult to get overtime. In the Caribbean, the $3/hour overrides recently went away.
You know, they're hiring, if you want to come back.
Let's be honest--like most previous jobs in aviation, I suspect you miss it, but not enough to do it again. I'm having a good time here, but I don't understand the guys and gals who make a career out of 9K. It's a nice, stable, long-term job, but not really suited for doing 30 years and retiring.
I plan to be here for my year contract, then hang out indefinitely until I can get in with a really good quality charter or corporate operator. It's nice knowing I'm at a place where I can afford to be picky with finding the "next step." Definitely in no rush to leave. Yet, without a doubt, there will be a "next step" at some point...probably after hitting 1000 multi PIC!
MOGuy424
Well-Known Member
If you are looking for good QOL with the family have you considered charter? Not sure your background but this might be a better alternative to the regionals. I left CommutAir, where I was commuting and absolutely hated it, and started working for a charter. While the schedule can be a little erratic (hard to plan trips ie camping, fishing,) and I am on call unless I specifically request and get approved days off, I find myself home 70% on standby (yep just hanging out, watching tv, playing golf, fishing, going out to dinner with the wife, etc), actually flying the other 30%, and maybe only gone away on multi-overnights about 10% of the time. Albeit, I'm not breaking the bank by any means, or even competing with any major airline FO's, but I am making a descent living with benefits and such. Hopes are that after a few years Ill be able to break into the fractional side, that has a set schedule and much better pay, or find a good corporate gig.
Matt13C
Well-Known Member
Sounds just about perfect, may only be better if it were in Hawaii. But since LNS is reasonably close that would really be fantastic.
As it is, I have pretty much decided against an airline career as I cant see being away that much. I hate my day job, but nothing beats coming home to your family every night. Having your daughter or son run up and hug you, want to play and just be happy to see you. You can't get that feeling walking into an empty hotel room 4-5 nights a week, every week. It really is a personal choice but for me I cant see being away that much for a job, especially one that truely is a gamble.
Not being able to take your experience and apply to a new airline, where you can make the same wage you previously did is assinine, there is no premium for experience. You are simply a cog in a machine whose only value is derived by a seniority number, a number which means absolutely nothing outside of your machine.
Sorry for the rant, it just aggravates me that pilots are not valued for their skills.
mrivc211
Well-Known Member
There is no answer to your question. What is today will be gone tomorrow, I can guarantee you that. There is no certainty or consistency in this industry.
Sorry had to.
HRDiva
Well-Known Member
DH worked at a regional for 11 years and never was based at home because they didn't have a base at home! I have always worked and we don't chase metal. We don't have family where we live either.
And, even when he left, he was never based near home until 9/2008.
DH always bid bases that were one leg commutes. He also always found a way to be involved such as assistant coaching on our son's hockey team.
You make do with what you have. A friend is seeing her furloughed World pilot off to fly in Afganistan for 6 months on a 1 year contract. They will make it work.
It's all about attitude. Good luck!
And, even when he left, he was never based near home until 9/2008.
DH always bid bases that were one leg commutes. He also always found a way to be involved such as assistant coaching on our son's hockey team.
You make do with what you have. A friend is seeing her furloughed World pilot off to fly in Afganistan for 6 months on a 1 year contract. They will make it work.
It's all about attitude. Good luck!