downgrading to FO, and the career

E_Dawg

E_Dawg

Moderator
Let me pose a hypothetical question to you all.

Let's say you are a junior reserve captain at a regional who hardly flies... maybe 20hrs a month. Would a voluntary downgrade (for a better schedule and more flying) pose a problem in a potential interview down the road?
 
E_Dawg said:
Let me pose a hypothetical question to you all.

Let's say you are a junior reserve captain at a regional who hardly flies... maybe 20hrs a month. Would a voluntary downgrade (for a better schedule and more flying) pose a problem in a potential interview down the road?
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No, happens at the majors all the time.
 
My thought would be, "if you always wanted to work at major XYZ, why did you downgrade at regional ABC"

hypothetically, of course.
 
E_Dawg said:
Let me pose a hypothetical question to you all.

Let's say you are a junior reserve captain at a regional who hardly flies... maybe 20hrs a month. Would a voluntary downgrade (for a better schedule and more flying) pose a problem in a potential interview down the road?
Click to expand...

You can't handle the jet! Props are for boats
 
The truth is I really want to be your FO. Hypothetically of course. I will be your wingman any time.
 
I'm also wondering if it could be interpreted as a "this guy can't hack reserve" kind of thing... maybe I'm overthinking it. :insane:
 
I'd do it....

Do the numbers...you might even make as much as a senior line holder FO vs. a reserve CA.

Where I work now 93 CH (used to be easy...not so much right now) is equal to a CA on guarantee. Now, we all know you could just as easily be at guarantee, but if you have your pick of lines, and depending on work rules, it might be an easy number to get.

I doubt anyone would ask why....Heck, you might even get bonus points for having a life!
 
Yeah I've sacrificed tons over the last 2yrs as a CA for very little PIC time, and if nothing's moving then I'd rather bid 30% than 95%. Money is the same. Just don't want it to be looked at as a negative since obviously I have long term career aspirations in aviation that are not quite aligned with the regional lifestyle. Thx for the input folks.

Hypothetically, of course :D
 
At the end of the day, if YOU are happy, then you made the correct choice.


:beer:
 
No longer acquiring the PIC time is the only issue I see. If you satisfy the PIC requirements for a prospective employer, it would not be an issue at a major to say you changed seats for a better QOL. If you are short on PIC time, I would probably not do it and just try to fly as much as you can. Theoretically of course.
 
CaptBill said:
No longer acquiring the PIC time is the only issue I see. If you satisfy the PIC requirements for a prospective employer, it would not be an issue at a major to say you changed seats for a better QOL. If you are short on PIC time, I would probably not do it and just try to fly as much as you can. Theoretically of course.
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As usual, an extraordinarily obvious and lucid point.

Also, I know some applications I filled out eons ago looked at recency of experience. So the longer you're away from that left seat, and if it's not readily available to you for another upgrade for recent PIC time, that might be another factor as well.
 
I haven't seen any which require recency of PIC experience. Plenty with recency of flight experience, though.

2yr seatlock and it may be even longer than that before I see the left seat again, oh well. Reserve in fresno sucks ;) Plus if the world ends in 2012 I want me some QOL before the lights go out!

I jumped on UAL SFO-ORD a few weeks ago and the captain told me he'd lived in Fresno for 10yrs with West Air. He didn't seem too happy about that. :crazy:
 
E_Dawg said:
I haven't seen any which require recency of PIC experience. Plenty with recency of flight experience, though.

2yr seatlock and it may be even longer than that before I see the left seat again, oh well. Reserve in fresno sucks ;) Plus if the world ends in 2012 I want me some QOL before the lights go out!

I jumped on UAL SFO-ORD a few weeks ago and the captain told me he'd lived in Fresno for 10yrs with West Air. He didn't seem too happy about that. :crazy:
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It sounds like your at a crossroads here.

On the one hand, you've been busting your butt. Sacrificing to get the qualifications you need to take that "next step". Putting work first.

On the other, you are at the point where you're over sacrificing for work and are ready to start working to live, not living to work.

I don't think there is a "right" or "wrong" decision in this case. Professionally, I see CaptBill's points very well.

Personally, I can see where you want to get off the work-to-the-bone cycle too.

It's a tough call, and rest assured that you'll make the correct one. I was at a similar crossroads when I decided to pull the cord and exit RAH. So I can identify with the internal discussion you're having.
 
Dude, funny you should start this thread. I have been considering it too for quite some time. This commuting to reserve business is about to drive me insane. I would be a fairly senior FO back home and able to grow my business and start a new one.

I have heard from a few folks that it could be perceived as a negative thing down the road, but I doubt it. They have no real basis to judge their comment on other than speculation. When I used to interview folks, I would give them props for taking control of their lives and putting their QOL first. I guess it would depend on who is sitting across the table from you though.

I have decided to stick it out for a bit longer in hopes of that mythical DEN transfer happening, because I know as soon as I downgrade things will begin to move again. Murphy and all.
 
E_Dawg said:
It's not an easy decision at all, and I appreciate the perspective!!
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If you are seriously at an impasse, break the tie in favor of you. I think your happiness and contentment would more than make up for any loss on the professional side.
 
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