Moving on

S

Skyway

Well-Known Member
Greetings fellow JC members,

I do not post much here, however I feel the need for some insight. Was just recently invited for a class date with AA. I’ve been at OO for ten years now, mid seniority, and a new LCA. I’m very excited about this opportunity. That being said however, its very bittersweet.

I have got into a major comfort zone on the E175, and with this lifestyle here. Anyone on here that has moved on after being at their regional for awhile especially as a mid seniority captain, or is about to move on, what are your thoughts for someone like me who kind of feels guilty about moving on?

I say guilty because regionals are scrambling for pilots, and especially LCAs.
 
Thanks for the response, much appreciated. of course right after I posted this I find out that LCA override is going to be doubled Making the pay even higher, go figure.
 
Skyway said:
Thanks for the response, much appreciated. of course right after I posted this I find out that LCA override is going to be doubled Making the pay even higher, go figure.
Click to expand...

I made as much last month as I did my first year at a regional. That's not a flex, it's just a reference point for how much you can make as a narrow body FO.

You won't even kind of miss Skywest.
 
Skyway said:
I have got into a major comfort zone on the E175, and with this lifestyle here. Anyone on here that has moved on after being at their regional for awhile especially as a mid seniority captain, or is about to move on, what are your thoughts for someone like me who kind of feels guilty about moving on?

I say guilty because regionals are scrambling for pilots, and especially LCAs.
Click to expand...

I just resigned from SkyWest yesterday. I got drafted to a D1 roller derby team, and I need my life back.

I also was a CA on the 175, and I also ache for SkyWest. I want to help the company, but ... honestly, they knew (or should have known) what was coming. They made no effort to help do any of the things that would retain pilots. I think they may have been banking on a recession. At any rate, we captains can't just keep throwing ourselves on the track to stop the runaway train.

SkyWest treated me very well. But I can't deal with the absolute lack of schedule flexibility for even one more month.

No guilt, but sadness.
 
Acrofox said:
I just resigned from SkyWest yesterday. I got drafted to a D1 roller derby team, and I need my life back.

I also was a CA on the 175, and I also ache for SkyWest. I want to help the company, but ... honestly, they knew (or should have known) what was coming. They made no effort to help do any of the things that would retain pilots. I think they may have been banking on a recession. At any rate, we captains can't just keep throwing ourselves on the track to stop the runaway train.

SkyWest treated me very well. But I can't deal with the absolute lack of schedule flexibility for even one more month.

No guilt, but sadness.
Click to expand...
Congratulations!
 
Acrofox said:
I just resigned from SkyWest yesterday. I got drafted to a D1 roller derby team, and I need my life back.

I also was a CA on the 175, and I also ache for SkyWest. I want to help the company, but ... honestly, they knew (or should have known) what was coming. They made no effort to help do any of the things that would retain pilots. I think they may have been banking on a recession. At any rate, we captains can't just keep throwing ourselves on the track to stop the runaway train.

SkyWest treated me very well. But I can't deal with the absolute lack of schedule flexibility for even one more month.

No guilt, but sadness.
Click to expand...
Well that’s a pretty unique pivot, enjoy and congrats!
OP, do not feel bad for a second. Maybe this will end up as an inflection point where the profession genuinely starts getting good again.
 
Skyway said:
Greetings fellow JC members,

I do not post much here, however I feel the need for some insight. Was just recently invited for a class date with AA. I’ve been at OO for ten years now, mid seniority, and a new LCA. I’m very excited about this opportunity. That being said however, its very bittersweet.

I have got into a major comfort zone on the E175, and with this lifestyle here. Anyone on here that has moved on after being at their regional for awhile especially as a mid seniority captain, or is about to move on, what are your thoughts for someone like me who kind of feels guilty about moving on?

I say guilty because regionals are scrambling for pilots, and especially LCAs.
Click to expand...
The golden handcuffs. Or maybe they’re bronze? How old are you? Feel free to reach out I was In similar shoes in the past.
 
I wouldn’t feel guilty. Their retention issue isn’t your problem. This is all a result of the age 65 can being kicked down the road and regionals taking advantage with subpar QOL and wages.

I do know that bittersweet feeling though. I left 9E not too long ago after 6yrs and as crazy as it sounds I miss it a lot. The crews, passengers (never had any issue I didn’t know how to handle), and the flying around the NE. I love where I am now and it’s been interesting climbing the seniority ladder again.

Every time I rode on AA which was weekly the crews were great out of NYC so I think you’ll love it. Not to mention the seniority you’ll build there.
 
No way at all should you feel guilty. They would kick your ass out on the street if they needed too. I can understand struggling with decision to leave comfort for another airline, but guilt is not an emotion you should be feeling.
 
congrats on getting on with AA. As everyone has said, move on and don’t look back.

ok let’s say you turn down AA and stay to help out Skywest by being a LCA…. Will the staffing situation at Skywest change with you staying to “help” them out? ….. Nope ….. they will still be short captains and LCA and pilots in general.

now how does your situation change by staying at Skywest? it adversely impacts you by staying at Skywest more than it adversely impacts Skywest by you leaving.

take the memories, keep in touch with the friends, crews and families at Skywest, move on. most people at Skywest will be moving on in their own time and maybe you’ll even run into them at AA….


you’ll make more on AA second year FO pay than on 10 year CA pay with the doubled LCA override at Skywest.
 
Skyway said:
Thanks for the response, much appreciated. of course right after I posted this I find out that LCA override is going to be doubled Making the pay even higher, go figure.
Click to expand...
First year pay sucks everywhere. Don’t let the carrot of increases muddy your waters. Second year FO pay will surely be good for you, and it only gets better from there. Congratulations on your new endeavor. Don’t feel bad and most certainly don’t look back.
 
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