Regionals vs. 135 King Air PIC

[GypsyPilot]

One more huge issue, is the major that is hiring the one you want to work for and do you have to commute or based where you live. Not commuting is worth way more than money.

Actually, being able to commute is an awesome benefit! What's more likely... Finding a place you'd like to live among the many bases available at an airline (with the option of commuting), or finding some sweet corporate gig where you want to live? From my own personal experience, the corporate gig doesn't compare.

 

[Off In The Jungle]

Well lets say you are stuck in the right seat at the regional for 5 years. What kind of pay can you expect there?

My issue is a am no spring chicken any longer. At 32 I want to get on with things. I do have around 2200 hours in my logbook with 250 turbine pic, but it is all single engine turbine.

To go and sit at a regional for 5 years would sting both financially and time wise if i have no realistic prospects of the major airlines. If there was a good shot at a major in the equation that would help it to look more promising. The pay and raising a family on 20-30k per year for 5 years is somewhat worrisome. The king air job pays between 55k and 100k depending on the risk of the jobs i take over the course of the year.

It does not seem like an easy answer, if i was 25 and single it would be much easier, but age and responsibility make this a tough choice.

Thanks for all your inputs.

 

[Goonie]

I have no clue which would look better for the airlines, but I do know that the King Air is a very fun plane to fly. I know that fun does not pay the bills, but keep in my with a million King Airs out there it probably pretty god job security to have a few hundred hours of PIC in the thing in your back pocket.

 

[jrh]

You need to focus less on pay decide what kind of lifestyle you want in both the short term and long term.

Because let's be honest--figuring out how to live on $2.1 million versus $3.6 million is a very First World Problem. Anyone with reasonable budgeting skills can find a way to survive on either pay.

Are you certain you want to spend your career at a major airline? As in, you definitely want the lifestyle, for better or worse, of flying for a major airline? If so, it sounds like you better get crackin' on those regional airline apps. If you're only after higher pay, I'd stop and ponder for a minute.

I'm more of a "nothing in life is certain, gotta enjoy life in the moment" kind of guy, so I'd take the King Air gig. Life is too short to be constantly chasing a dream rather than living in it. Plus, I don't care about airlines. Sure, I'd consider going to a major if I find myself in the right place at the right time in the future, but it's not a goal of mine.

Also, I wouldn't worry much about your age. You still have 33 years until retirement. You could burn holes in the sky with a King Air for three years, jump to a regional for ten years, and still have 20 years at a major, for goodness sakes.

Good luck figuring it all out.

 

[QuasarZ]

If Delta is your goal you would be better off with the 121 time. Unless you have some serious connections, Delta doesn't count 91 or 135 King Air time very highly, especially the 90/200 variant. (Coming from a recruiter) But who knows though. However, that doesn't mean the PIC time won't open up many other options that could further your career in some other avenue. Tough choice.

 

[GypsyPilot]

Well lets say you are stuck in the right seat at the regional for 5 years. What kind of pay can you expect there?

My issue is a am no spring chicken any longer. At 32 I want to get on with things. I do have around 2200 hours in my logbook with 250 turbine pic, but it is all single engine turbine.

To go and sit at a regional for 5 years would sting both financially and time wise if i have no realistic prospects of the major airlines. If there was a good shot at a major in the equation that would help it to look more promising. The pay and raising a family on 20-30k per year for 5 years is somewhat worrisome. The king air job pays between 55k and 100k depending on the risk of the jobs i take over the course of the year.

It does not seem like an easy answer, if i was 25 and single it would be much easier, but age and responsibility make this a tough choice.

Thanks for all your inputs.

Unless you're at GLA, you'll be making much more than $25k each year. I know several FOs at Skywest that make $55k+/yr. I'll easily be making mid-40s this year, 2nd year pay.