What is the lifestyle of a regional like?

TallFlyer said:
So let me make sure I understand all of this:

Never pick a regional for its bases.
Never move to another city for a regional.
Never commute.

The above kinda seems mutually exclusive, no?
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I picked one for its bases.

(Results not typical.)


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I don't think I'll ever understand people who become pilots thinking that they will just get a job in their home town and never have to move around a few times or become a pilot knowing they will commute to the job.
 
Jet said:
I don't think I'll ever understand people who become pilots thinking that they will just get a job in their home town and never have to move around a few times or become a pilot knowing they will commute to the job.
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Oh, absolutely! I realized that from day one, and there's a reason my screen name is Gypsy Pilot. I've lived all over the country, and have without question moved more than most pilots. The ones that do try and stay in their hometown almost always limit their options big time, and I've always told some of the up and coming pilots I encounter to move where the work is. It sure worked well for me when I was starting out!

That being said, it's just silly to claim choosing a certain regional over another for the bases is pure fallacy. I wanted to live out west, therefore I decided to work at SkyWest. Now could I end up dealing with a base closure? For sure, it's happened where I work many times. They've lost SAN, SBA, MRY, etc. Very disappointing for those involved. That being said, I'll go out on a limb here and say that we're not going to simultaneously lose LAX, SFO, DEN, SLC, PDX, COS, PHX, TUS, and SEA. So if my base closed, I will have a hell of an easier time commuting to it from out West than out East. Or, more likely, I'd just move to another base out West.

So yeah, if you want to live out West, you're very likely to have that work out a bit better for you if you work at SkyWest compared to PSA and Air Wisconsin. Seriously, there's like actually an argument over this?
 
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Seggy said:
I give three factual representations concerning regional airline bases and you call me paranoid? Is that really the best you can do?



I hope you leave the regionals but don't take it for granted you will.
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Oh, I will. I have aviation experience outside the regionals and a common business jet type with lots of time in type. I also have an engineering degree, which I would reluctantly but willingly use rather than languish at a regional for a decade. Not part of my plan, nor will it ever be.
 
Seggy said:
I give three factual representations concerning regional airline bases and you call me paranoid? Is that really the best you can do?



I hope you leave the regionals but don't take it for granted you will.
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Can we at least agree its an industry problem, not just regionals? While I agree regionals seem to open/close bases more frequently, it will happen to pretty much everyone. If you have at least ten years left until retirement and at a major, you will most likely be affected by a base closure/reduction. If you have 20-30 years until retirement, you'll be lucky to be flying for the same airline.
 
I wouldn't call it a problem, I'd just say 'it is what it is'. I agree though all airlines have fluid situations basing wise.
 
jtrain609 said:
We opened and closed three bases within 18 months. When I was hired, all the new hire classes (except mine, oddly enough) were going to the LAX and ONT bases. 14 months later, we were furloughed, the bases closed, and folks that came to here BECAUSE OF the west coast bases are now commuting to the other side of the country.

Such is life.
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Anyone who went to expressjet when you did, and anyone who went there for the west coast branded bases were rolling the dice and they (I hope) knew it.
 
So if your base is moved, can you chose to not stay with the company? I know that would be a foolish move, but I want to know the options that are out there.
 
Mark Z said:
So if your base is moved, can you chose to not stay with the company? I know that would be a foolish move, but I want to know the options that are out there.
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Dude, I wouldn't put all your eggs in the RAH PIT basket.
 
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