wrxpilot
New Member
As crappy as Colgan is, at least they have some pretty significant growth going on. Eagle looks dreadful.
As crappy as Colgan is, at least they have some pretty significant growth going on. Eagle looks dreadful.
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
I'm not positive it's worth it.
I think anybody getting into the game within the last 5 years should plan on a career at the regionals. Others will scoff, but it's not nearly as bad as it sounds if you're at a reasonable company such at XJT, Beagle, Air Wisconsin or Horizon.
Most folks that wretch at the idea aren't at any of those companies.
wrxpilot
New Member
I don't disagree with that entirely, and I agree that Eagle seems to have a lot of good things going for it. But the whole point of going to a regional is to get TPIC and get out. Making a career out of it certainly does seem to happen, but even the career types probably upgraded fairly quickly compared to what people at Eagle are facing now.
jtrain609
Antisocial Monster
Again, I don't think that's "the point" of the regionals. "The point" of the regionals is to pay your bills, go home, and maybe get enough experience to move on to "the next step."
But that's the problem, I don't think "the next step" exists anymore, so this idea of get in, get your TPIC, and get out is nixed because of that.
And it's interesting too, because the job of flying an RJ is no different than the job of flying 737 is no different than the job of flying a 747. You're flying the same routes, in similar aircraft and your'e doing it for less pay because you have fewer seats in the back generating revenue.
So with that, the idea of "paying your dues" (another way of saying get in and get out) is a little bit antithetical I believe.
Or I guess said another way, the regionals aren't "meant" for anything. Regional airlines are a business. They employ people to do a job. Some people do that job, and they get paid as such. Sometimes people will move on. I guess I'm at this point where ascribing any additional definitions to the job is fruitless.
It's a job. You get paid. You do certain things for the job. You go home. You hug your wife and kids. How is that different than any other job? Is it different just because "IT'S THE HORRIBLE REGIONALS!?!?!?!?!?"
scooter2525
Very well Member
DOOOOOO....err uhh OHHH YEAHHHH!
RPM
Well-Known Member
Agreed.. I've come to the painful realization that I may be stuck here permanently if things don't change.. Its not the worst thing in the world, but it certainly isn't what I want. What would be most difficult is "IF" I ever do upgrade here at Eagle.. It will take me 10+ YEARS to get back to my current QOL with the 2day/day trips and # of days off I have now.. Now THAT is a HARD pill to swallow.. I mean currently at Eagle its about 16 yrs just to hold a weekend "day" off as a captain.. that is pretty absurd.. at a regional. The trips I fly currently are ALL 20+ year Captains who can hold them..
I only wish I "would" have some TPIC time to move on if the opportunity ever does come again. It's extremely frustrating running into students that I taught to fly from scratch as senior Captains and Check-airmen at places like Go-Jets etc in the terminals at ORD.. 5000+ SIC isn't getting me anywhere these days lol..
The problem here is the people with 10,000 hrs TPIC dont want to leave and those of us who do want to leave some day can't get the damn PIC because nobody will ever leave..
Not that there is anywhere to go.. but IF.. one day there is again.. It's gonna suck to be a 12yr FO and watch it pass me by.
wrxpilot
New Member
Oh, I agree completely with what you're saying. For the past few weeks I've been at a crossroads... I had a class date from Colgan, or I could continue with my current corporate gig. The corporate job pays considerably better, but there's a possibility of being trapped here in the right seat of a small jet while not building much time. When I really started looking at it, I determined that even at Colgan the possibility exists for a pretty long upgrade time. At about the same time, the future of my current job changed fairly significantly (in a good way).
Because it is all about the pay now, the current job won out and I said no thanks to Colgan. If times were different, I probably would've went to Colgan instead. But right now, I don't see any light at the end of the tunnel for part 121 in the US. General aviation has treated me pretty well so far, and despite the recent year or two, I think it has a MUCH more promising future as far as compensation and quality of life are concerned.
ppragman
FLIPY FLAPS!
Ok, things to be concerned about in selecting a new job:
Quality of Life
Money
Career Progression.
In that order. It took me a while to realize this, but now that I have a job that's worth a damn I do. If you go chasing the carrot, you'll work for dogdoo wages the rest of your life. You can't get rich quick.
If you look at the regionals, some of them offer decent quality of life for a young single dude, so I can see accepting a pay cut for that, and the career progression can be good, that said, how much is that opportunity cost in terms of pay? My two cents, which ain't worth a damn thing.
Quality of Life
Money
Career Progression.
In that order. It took me a while to realize this, but now that I have a job that's worth a damn I do. If you go chasing the carrot, you'll work for dogdoo wages the rest of your life. You can't get rich quick.
If you look at the regionals, some of them offer decent quality of life for a young single dude, so I can see accepting a pay cut for that, and the career progression can be good, that said, how much is that opportunity cost in terms of pay? My two cents, which ain't worth a damn thing.
its about cycles. right now it sucks but you can be sure there's going to be movements at those companies. you can count on spending a significant portion of your life, most probably your career at eagle. i think pinnacle is up for a new contract now, expect good things to come so it wont be as crappy.