Career Cross Roads

Are regionals really that bad? Or do the only appear bad in comparison with a major?

The two regionals I worked at paid their pilots good, fair market wages, they got at least 12 days off a per month, and the typical day was 4 or 5 legs on a 9 or 10 hour duty day, followed by 15 (ish) hour layover. Not as good as a major certainly, but not "bad" in and of itself, and certainly not like the regional industry of 25 years ago. Good God, I remember seeing a Jetstream pilot's schedule once: I'm not kidding, 11 legs on a 14 hour duty worth about 6 hours of flight time, and followed by a reduced rest overnight.
 
Of course no one would tell him to go to a regional just because. But he asked how to get to a major. That's why he should go to a regional.
Guess we'll find out if that's the only way or not. Maybe for the immediate future but I think it'll open up more in 2-3 years.
 
Back
Top