In your experience, why are some pilots are regionals “lifers?”

mastermags said:
It’s not that hard. Think of that idiot guy you flew with at your regional and imagine how damaging and expensive it could be to have that idiot guy on your seniority list for 25-30 years based on any number of antics, try the best you can to find a formula to detect/sniff out that idiot guy during the application or interview phase and go with it. Reevaluate later. Or, give a flow and just hand out jobs to all the idiot guys based on seniority and pay for it later.

Just my guess, but screaming ‘I fly your pax!!’ might be part of said sniff test... I have no idea.
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When I was an FO at my shop, the "idiot captain" you describe, were the ones getting picked up, while the genuinely good guys were being told no thanks.

It is what it is, not everyone gets picked up where they want to be. You can either be pissed about it and play the "but I fly your pax" card, or you can live your life with what you've got and be glad you aren't slinging boxes in a piston twin.
 
It really isn't a numbers game at a lot of carriers.

Some are pretty hard on the 1000 TPIC, but it's not like a magic lightbulb goes off in HR when you reach that.

At a lot of other carriers, 1000 TPIC is nice, but it's not going to spread sparklies on an otherwise lackluster application.
 
What about military flying experience + TPIC (obtained from military or civilian origins)? Seems to be the magic sparklies for HR. Oh, and astronaut time. Can't forget that!!
 
QXDX said:
I also tend to think that the majors tend to prefer candidates who have a demonstrated track record of focus and achievement. They are more interested in the pilot who graduated in 4 years, got all their certs. by 250-300 hours, hired at 1500, Captain upgrade at 3000 (or less) and 1000 TPIC by the time they hit 4,000 TT. They are more interested in the hard-charging candidates than the ones who, for whatever reason, took considerably longer to reach those milestones. Like all businesses, they want the best candidates for their money, and the guy who does it all in 5 years vs. 15 years looks more appealing.
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In other words, they want white guys with rich daddies. Never forget that all this crap is just class stratification.
 
JordanD said:
Well, I guess that's a breath of fresh air compared to the usual "ONLY WIMMIN AND MINAUUURITEEES ARE GITTIN' HIRED!" stuff people usually spout, but I hope that comment is in jest.
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Sounds like what I heard my last week at Skyway.

"But did you apply?"

"No… but..."

"Good day sir. I SAID GOOD DAY"
 
Derg said:
It's not "bad", but knowing what I know about the industry, I wouldn't get too comfortable being a subcontractor.

Ask any Comair or ExpressJet pilot.
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Aside from the generally more work to do the same job for way less money than at mainline, which sticks in my craw, there's the benefits. 4% 401k match vs 15% contribution? Because as much as this job is cool, I do NOT want to to this until I'm forced out at 65. Peacing out in my 50s and becoming an old hippie in the NW somewhere seems way more fun.

Derg said:
Sounds like what I heard my last week at Skyway.

"But did you apply?"

"No… but..."

"Good day sir. I SAID GOOD DAY"
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Is this really a thing? The only airlines I know of that were cold calling people were... Mesa, and I'd be surprised if that was anything more than a rumor.
 
JordanD said:
as much as this job is cool, I do NOT want to to this until I'm forced out at 65. Peacing out in my 50s and becoming an old hippie in the NW somewhere seems way more fun.
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Agreed. Me well before 65:
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JordanD said:
Aside from the generally more work to do the same job for way less money than at mainline, which sticks in my craw, there's the benefits. 4% 401k match vs 15% contribution? Because as much as this job is cool, I do NOT want to to this until I'm forced out at 65. Peacing out in my 50s and becoming an old hippie in the NW somewhere seems way more fun.
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Founding your combine already?
Is this really a thing? The only airlines I know of that were cold calling people were... Mesa, and I'd be surprised if that was anything more than a rumor.
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Mesa cold called me back in the Brasilia days. -shrug-
 
QXDX said:
Not for nothing, but when did earning $130K a year and enjoying 15 days off a month become "bad?"
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That is by far the best case scenario at the regionals. While my regional could definitely be considered a bottom feeder I seriously doubt any pilot here is making 6 figures unless they're in the training department. Also with how understaffed many regionals are, especially with captains, you usually have to be extremely senior to get 15 days off per month.

Autothrust Blue said:
Founding your combine already?

Mesa cold called me back in the Brasilia days. -shrug-
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I actually got a call from Horizon last year without applying, but I don't think it was technically a cold call as I think they got my information from an application to Alaska I had submitted. Of course the idea that a major would call someone without applying, as Derg's former co-workers apparently hoped for, is laughable.
 
Yakob said:
I actually got a call from Horizon last year without applying, but I don't think it was technically a cold call as I think they got my information from an application to Alaska I had submitted. Of course the idea that a major would call someone without applying, as Derg's former co-workers apparently hoped for, is laughable.
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I had a lot of "outdated" app information and I think Compass and Endeavdon't both called me as well asking if I'd like to come in and talk to 'em, but those aren't cold calls; I had an (outdated) application on file with them.

MAG I was just like "oh, so this is what the pilot shortage looks like."

Somewhere between the insanity of incestuous ingratiation of job fairs and the circumstances that Derg's former coworkers describe is a happy medium.
 
Yakob said:
That is by far the best case scenario at the regionals. While my regional could definitely be considered a bottom feeder I seriously doubt any pilot here is making 6 figures unless they're in the training department. Also with how understaffed many regionals are, especially with captains, you usually have to be extremely senior to get 15 days off per month.



I actually got a call from Horizon last year without applying, but I don't think it was technically a cold call as I think they got my information from an application to Alaska I had submitted. Of course the idea that a major would call someone without applying, as Derg's former co-workers apparently hoped for, is laughable.
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Oooh yes. There was this one guy who was complaining hardcore over the course of a trip why United wasn't calling him. I happened to fly with this same bloke again six months later. He mentioned that he had applied for the first time the week before I flew with him the second time. I took mental note of that wondering what the hell he was on about the last time. Said fellow also asked ATC if they wanted 300 knots below 10,000. Wasn't sure whether he was joking or not until I tactfully asked him why he thought 300 kts was all right at so-so waypoint below 10. It was funny.
 
Yakob said:
That is by far the best case scenario at the regionals. While my regional could definitely be considered a bottom feeder I seriously doubt any pilot here is making 6 figures unless they're in the training department. Also with how understaffed many regionals are, especially with captains, you usually have to be extremely senior to get 15 days off per month.



I actually got a call from Horizon last year without applying, but I don't think it was technically a cold call as I think they got my information from an application to Alaska I had submitted. Of course the idea that a major would call someone without applying, as Derg's former co-workers apparently hoped for, is laughable.
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The only time I’ve gotten 15 days off or more in a month I’ve used vacation or fmla. I’ll be lucky to make six figures ten years from now!
 
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