Lowest Regional Airline Pilot Salary

Doug Taylor]Bridge program? I thought those went the way of dodo birds? Do tell. [/quote] I thought you knew already? But if not said:
Let us take a look at some of the "RJ Program"
ATP: http://www.atpflightschool.com/programs/certificates/crj/regional_jet_standards.html
Web site states GUARANTEED AIRLINE PILOT INTERVIEW with regional airlines if you meet the TT.
Cost: $6K

Falcon Aviation: http://www.falconaviationacademy.com/pilot/jetcourse.asp
Web site doesn't guarantee anything.
Cost: $2800

Jet U: http://www.jetuniversity.com/programs_crj.html
Web site state guaranteed JOB PLACEMENT with 190TT. That is PFJ
Cost: Not on web site (WHY?) Last I hear $17K

So not only did you pay for that job but you payed to much.
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Few things:

1. At the time I was going through last year (2007), ATPs RJ course required at least 400 total time for any of their regionals for their CRJ $6k course. I had less than 250TT, so that option was out. Now, according to their site, ASA takes 200TT and 20ME. So things changed and are now different at ATPs RJ course requirements.

2. Jet U 'job placement' is mostly paperwork BS. I can name PLENTY of people that walked out of there with no job. Some who didn't get hired with Pinnacle were eventually helped and had interviews set up with PSA and Air Wisconsin. Some got hired, others didn't.
The management attitude was "we got your money, now we dont give a crap about you." So don't look too much into that "guaranteed job" thing. NOTHING is guaranteed. I am fortunate that everything worked out for me. Can't say the same for PLENTY of pilots that went through there. Yes, it cost too much, and in retrospect, was not worth the cost. At the time I went through, it was almost $27.5k for the course. Now that I am done with that place, I don't think it was worth it. I would not recommend that place to anyone.

3. It wasn't PFJ. Re: see above #2. PFJ would be Gulfstream Academy, which is the only true PFJ operation in Florida. There, you literally buy 250 hrs of B1900 time at an airline, Gulfstream Airlines. Jet U is just a flight school that offers services which make you competitive to interview. You'll get a guaranteed interview, and that is it. No guaranteed job, no matter how much kool-aid BS they feed you. And the written contract... it states guaranteed job, blah blah blah, and at the very end, there is a no-sue clause you must sign to. So no matter what happens, they'll make sure you can't sue them. Anyway, it's not PFJ. I didn't buy any CRJ time at Pinnacle. That's not how it works. It was just a CRJ course that landed me an interview opportunity... in a matter no different than ALLATPs, CAE in Denver, RAA, Delta Connection Academy, ERAU, etc.

If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? My guess is in the 13-19 yr old range. Do let me know if I'm wrong.
 
Nah, I'm 37, but thanks for asking.

I think there was a brain clogging amount of information on programs like that online here for almost the last decade and now you "Wouldn't recommend it to anyone, though.".

For the lack of a more diplomatic way of asking, were you out of your mind?!

What's that $17K/whatever going to be worth in 10 years invested in a no-load mutual fund?

Augh. Horse...Water...Lord, why don't he drink?
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
1. At the time I was going through last year (2007), ATPs RJ course required at least 400 total time for any of their regionals for their CRJ $6k course. I had less than 250TT, so that option was out. Now, according to their site, ASA takes 200TT and 20ME. So things changed and are now different at ATPs RJ course requirements.

2. Jet U 'job placement' is mostly paperwork BS. I can name PLENTY of people that walked out of there with no job. Some who didn't get hired with Pinnacle were eventually helped and had interviews set up with PSA and Air Wisconsin. Some got hired, others didn't.
The management attitude was "we got your money, now we dont give a crap about you." So don't look too much into that "guaranteed job" thing. NOTHING is guaranteed. I am fortunate that everything worked out for me. Can't say the same for PLENTY of pilots that went through there. Yes, it cost too much, and in retrospect, was not worth the cost. At the time I went through, it was almost $27.5k for the course. Now that I am done with that place, I don't think it was worth it. I would not recommend that place to anyone.

3. It wasn't PFJ. Re: see above #2. PFJ would be Gulfstream Academy, which is the only true PFJ operation in Florida. There, you literally buy 250 hrs of B1900 time at an airline, Gulfstream Airlines. Jet U is just a flight school that offers services which make you competitive to interview. You'll get a guaranteed interview, and that is it. No guaranteed job, no matter how much kool-aid BS they feed you. And the written contract... it states guaranteed job, blah blah blah, and at the very end, there is a no-sue clause you must sign to. So no matter what happens, they'll make sure you can't sue them. Anyway, it's not PFJ. I didn't buy any CRJ time at Pinnacle. That's not how it works. It was just a CRJ course that landed me an interview opportunity... in a matter no different than ALLATPs, CAE in Denver, RAA, Delta Connection Academy, ERAU, etc..
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Is Jet U not sending people who do not get a job over to Gulfstream. I know at one point they did that.

Cherokee_Cruiser said:
If you don't mind me asking, how old are you? My guess is in the 13-19 yr old range. Do let me know if I'm wrong.
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You are wrong.
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
You get training in a CRJ and then you get interviews. It is up to you to do well and get hired at a regional. And that's what I did.
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Whether you realize it or not, you did a lot more than that.

Not worth fighting this again and again.
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yes, Jet U. Wouldn't recommend it to anyone, though
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Sounds like it might be worth discussing so that others don't make the same mistake you did?
 
Do you need any type of flying experience prior to entering any one of ATP's courses to train to become a pilot? After college, Could I enroll in a course such as the "Regional Jet Standards Certification" course for $6,000 and get hired by a regional carrier?
 
PositionAndHold said:
Its all gross or ugly, Regional Airlines as a whole need to raise their pay. Just because you work at one with slightly better pay or work rules doesn't mean you're much better or worse off then the other ones. We should all be trying to help the others achieve better pay/QOL/Union.
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I really wish more pilots would truly do the above, instead of constantly fighting, and blaming each other. If more pilots would take the fight, and enthusiasm to management and stop blaming each other, because of what school they went to, their route into the profession, the airline they fly for, or the type of airplane they fly, it may actually help pilots get somewhere. Right now, management sees pilots all pitted against each other, and trust me, they are smiling, because it means the energy is focused somewhere else, instead of them. I know my .02 cents may not count to some here, but I believe a VERY LARGE part of the reason things are they way they are, is because pilots aren't fighting management, but are fighting, blaming, and whining amongst each other.
 
Type of Flying (constant out and backs versus long trips all over. Matter of preference here)

Just curious, which airlines are known for out and backs?
 
Doug Taylor said:
Nah, I'm 37, but thanks for asking.

I think there was a brain clogging amount of information on programs like that online here for almost the last decade and now you "Wouldn't recommend it to anyone, though.".

For the lack of a more diplomatic way of asking, were you out of your mind?!

What's that $17K/whatever going to be worth in 10 years invested in a no-load mutual fund?

Augh. Horse...Water...Lord, why don't he drink?
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Doug, the age thing wasn't for you. That part of the post response was for Gonzo, only.

Given my time/experience, Jet U got me where I wanted to go. But in retrospect, it wasn't worth it to go that route. I'd rather have gone to another bridge program, especially CAE's in Denver.

It wasn't 17k, it was 28k. Like I said, not worth it in retrospect. But at least it worked out for me.
 
Is Jet U not sending people who do not get a job over to Gulfstream. I know at one point they did that.
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No, despite what they say. No one has gone there, and they won't let you either. I can name many people who went to Jet U and do not have a pilot job.


You are wrong.
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Then I apologize. The maturity in your posts made it sound like a 13-19 yr old (teenager).

And again, Doug, that age thing wasn't for you, it was for Gonzo.



Sounds like it might be worth discussing so that others don't make the same mistake you did?
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Alright, but I gotta go flying now, still got 4 more legs today.
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
It wasn't 17k, it was 28k. Like I said, not worth it in retrospect. But at least it worked out for me.
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OUCH!!!!!! All to pay for your training...wow...and no type rating out of that right? Just think that's at least 3 B-737 type ratings (hotel and all included). Glad it got you where you wanted to go.:panic:
 
Cherokee_Cruiser said:
I'd rather have gone to another bridge program...
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:banghead:


the thought of hemorrhaging another 9K right now (the program of which you speak) to shave 3 months off my path to the airlines makes me want to throw up in my mouth...oh wait...there it is...

Assuming you're young and have nothing but time, (I'm almost Dough's age ;) why?
 
Don't ever ask for a raise or look back from the left seat wondering why you're being asked to perform a dual cross country with paying passengers onboard.

We'll be listening.

Sorry, but not only do I not respect that move, I greatly disrespect it.
 
I'm a little confused by Doug's comment here but I agree with everyone Re: the bridge program stuff. Not really wanting to go into my times, I think my *shudder* Riddle education taught me never to want to spend a lot of money on something that gets you nothing except for perhaps after some arm-twisting, an interview with a regional. I was probably the luckiest guy in my class (lucky to make nothing, sounds dumb too) to be there since there were high-timers, and Jet-U'ers, then me. The groundschool at the airline teaches you ALL you need to know.
 
LoadMasterC141 said:
Right or wrong, flying Turboprops is low end. Piedmont, Colgan, etc....
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I can make more as a 2nd year ATR FO (thats right, a turboprop) than a 3rd year captain at Great Lakes on their biggest equipment.

I think Great Lakes wins the lowest of the low award.
 
Hey, sorry to interrupt you guys, but would anyone know the answer to my previous post. Thanks.
 
coa787 said:
Do you need any type of flying experience prior to entering any one of ATP's courses to train to become a pilot? After college, Could I enroll in a course such as the "Regional Jet Standards Certification" course for $6,000 and get hired by a regional carrier?
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Prerequisites
right off their web site...
 
Ok, so I guess you just have to build up the hours by renting aircraft or working as a CFI and acquire the other minimum standards, then take the course and get an interview after you successfully complete it, correct?
 
Don't spend any money anywhere getting RJ certification. If you have a minimum number of hours (which isn't very high right now), your ATP written completed, and an FCC license, you will definately be looked at and probably interviewed for the position. In hindsight, the interview was the easy part. However, the regional carrier of your choice has an FAA obligation to train you, and any guy from a "RJ course", and anyone who has 30000 hours (I know, exaggerating), the SAME thing. It is entirely possible to study in groups and be able to absorb the information just as well as any of the other students and pass the 121 Oral and Checkride. Good luck, don't spend a dime over what you spend for PP/IR/ME/COMM, some time, (and your CFI if you want that) to get hired. I was able to learn everything that people who spent 3 to 4 months learning in the 1 month allotted time. Is it a bit tough? Sure, but you're there to study, so do that and you'll have no problem. You can even spend that $6,000 (or $27K if your JU) downtown drinking, eating, etc....

Personally, I was in the process of starting CFI training (taking the writtens and junk) when my opportunity came along. I'd still love to add ratings to my certificate, but it'll have to wait for a little bit (and even then our company has a "no other commercial flying" section in the FOM)
 
I know quite a few people like you.....total time and multi sufficient for a regional, who don't bother investing in the CFI/CFII/MEI ratings.

I wouldn't recommend obtaining the ratings unless your company allows part time work in that field per their FOM.
 
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