Which regional?

Also, consider that it is ALOT tougher to get in with a good corporate department (i'm speaking generally here). They are smaller and more political. The pay is great, but the top-out in pay used be lower than moving up within the majors. In addition to that, corporate stability can be just as bad as the airlines. If the company is smaller, the flight department can be targeted in budget cuts. Well, these days...not so much. After 911, coporate departments couldn't go wrong with service. Most people were just happy to be a passenger on a plane with other people they knew. Gotta watch out for the "why do we need an airplane(s)" attitude amongst new management with coporate, though.

IMO, it is alot easier to become an airline pilot.
 
GreenDayPilot said:
Why do pilots chose airlines over any other job?? I'd like to do corporate for a while, maybe forever, and eventually just keep applying to Southwest, FedEx, and UPS..... but regionals or some crap like ameriflight?? C'mon, the pay sucks!! I can get a CFI job that pays a lot better than the best paying regional.....


...... please.... some explain to me why pilots chose regionals over other, better, jobs.
Click to expand...

I know a guy who received a job offer (and took the job) from a corporate job, the call went something like "how would you like to work for 2 years then get a day off?" I am sure that there are some jobs with good schedules but I have heard a lot of pilots being attached to a cell phone and not having much flexibility. It is possible that this situation is a small percent of the corporate world but that is what I have been exposed to.
 
Yeah some corporate departments are really F'd up. Not to completely knock em, I grew up a "Corporate Kid" and I'm a huge fan, but being on call 24/7 isn't for everybody.
 
There might be an opening at Pinnacle soon. Don't even ask me for details, because I'm not saying! :)
 
Baronman said:
GreendayPilot...

What do I like? Well, I'll be bidding on my schedule for Feb tomorrow so I'll know about 3 weeks in advance what I'll be doing the coming month.

As far as money goes, I made $44,000 last year (2nd year pay). While that's not big money it's more than maybe some would think a 2nd year FO could make. I flew about 930hrs (give or take).

I really like the trips I took in my free time, and the trips I gave to my sister. I went and she went separately to Europe (1st class) during the year. I additionally made several other international trips, Costa Rica etc. Basically I figure I did thousands of dollars worth of travelling last year.
Click to expand...

Well, I have two CFI jobs. For the one in Bakersfield, I work M-F so I know my schedule for the rest of the year with that job. I'm my own boss w/the other CFI gig in LA so I can set whatever kind of schedule I want. With both jobs combined I make about $46k/year... but then again, I work more than you do so you got me there.

I hear that certain, big, 135 operations can non-rev w/the airlines at the discretion of the cpt.... not sure about that one, but that's just what I've heard.... I guess all they need is a company ID number or something along those lines.

The jumpseat aggreement is the main fringe benefit I like about the airlines.


taseal said:
I agree...

imo, its all about moving forward... nobody said you were going to make a killing in the 1st couple years working in this field... take the hit, and look forward to the future... and imo airlines have benefits corp gigs will never have like the traveling benefits.... (for me thats very important since my family lives everywhere lol). I just want to be a CFI enough to make my hours and thats it... I don't feel like being in a cessna longer then I need to...
Click to expand...

I never knocked out airlines all together. I'd like to fly for southwest or a cargo company once I have the times... Given, I get the times flying corporate for a few years. You don't neeeed to fly for a regional in order to fly for a major.


falconvalley said:
Also, consider that it is ALOT tougher to get in with a good corporate department (i'm speaking generally here). They are smaller and more political. The pay is great, but the top-out in pay used be lower than moving up within the majors. In addition to that, corporate stability can be just as bad as the airlines.

IMO, it is alot easier to become an airline pilot.
Click to expand...

One of my old flight instructors flies a Lear 60 and makes well over 100k/year (He's on his 3rd year as a corp pilot). He started as a regular CFI who just got picked up by a company who advertised on climbto350... 2 years later he became a cpt. I'd say the top out pay isn't too bad there.

Even if the pay tops off, I'd probably just jump to a major once I had all the mins for it.

I know I'm just ranting off and it may seem annoying, but I just don't get it why people go work for crappy pay.... same way i dont understand why people pay 80-100+k for pilot trianing
 
Comair finds itself in a tough spot....I think the company got approval (cause of bancruptcy) to trash the agreement they have with their pilots.

Adding to their problems is that Delta put out a RFP (in regional speak: your job is here one day gone the next) for the flying which Comair currently does. I'm not sure what recourse the employees at Comair have. I'm sure if Comair did strike ASA/SKYWEST/MESA(FREEDOM)/CHATAQUASHUTTLEBRIKYARD would absorb much of that flying...just a hunch.
 
zmiller4 said:
Flying struck work? I'd think (hope) that none of the above airlines would stoop to that...
Click to expand...

Just look back to when Eastern was on strike, NWA, Delta, AA, etc tripped over themselves to pick up the routes.

Only one thing is constant in the world of aviation, the unrelenting need for one pilot (or group) to stab another pilot (or group) in the back with a rusty, salt encrusted knife.
 
zmiller4 said:
Flying struck work? I'd think (hope) that none of the above airlines would stoop to that...
Click to expand...

Mgt will happily let their pilots fly those routes. Myself? If the time comes (and we are not yet unionized...aka protection) I will not fly struck work. If I get fired, well then I get fired. At least I will sleep at night :)
 
meritflyer said:
Pcl, Xjt, Skyw
Click to expand...

HOw did pinnacle make this list? haha

GreenDayPilot said:
I can accept that people like being at the regionals... but I'm just asking for a reason.
Click to expand...

I think you are doing more than just asking for a reason, you're a bit condescending. especially with comments like these


GreenDayPilot said:
Why do pilots chose airlines over any other job?? .... but regionals or some crap like ameriflight?? C'mon, the pay sucks!! I can get a CFI job that pays a lot better than the best paying regional.....


...... please.... some explain to me why pilots chose regionals over other, better, jobs.
Click to expand...

I dont think we are turning down GIV jobs that pay 100K for first year to fly CRJS for 20K. its just whats out there. Its the past of least resistance. And sadly to say, regional jobs are the easiest to get, when all you have on your resume is CFI experience in a cessna.


GreenDayPilot said:
Well, I have two CFI jobs. For the one in Bakersfield, I work M-F so I know my schedule for the rest of the year with that job. I'm my own boss w/the other CFI gig in LA so I can set whatever kind of schedule I want. With both jobs combined I make about $46k/year... but then again, I work more than you do so you got me there.
Click to expand...

So you work 7 days a week?


GreenDayPilot said:
I hear that certain, big, 135 operations can non-rev w/the airlines at the discretion of the cpt.... not sure about that one, but that's just what I've heard.... I guess all they need is a company ID number or something along those lines.

The jumpseat aggreement is the main fringe benefit I like about the airlines.
Click to expand...

I wouldnt count on it. The only 135 ops i know of that can jumpseat is taht crappy ameriflight that you talk about. They are on CASS.



GreenDayPilot said:
One of my old flight instructors flies a Lear 60 and makes well over 100k/year (He's on his 3rd year as a corp pilot). He started as a regular CFI who just got picked up by a company who advertised on climbto350... 2 years later he became a cpt. I'd say the top out pay isn't too bad there.
Click to expand...

Thats great to hear about the lear 60 job, but those stories are rare. The ones that i know that went corp, made connections not just reply to a job ad, especially (like i mentioned above) straight from flight instructing.

GreenDayPilot said:
Even if the pay tops off, I'd probably just jump to a major once I had all the mins for it.
Click to expand...

Really? is it that easy, then why isnt CAL and DAL calling me, I applied, I meet their MINS. haha
 
blee256 said:
I dont think we are turning down GIV jobs that pay 100K for first year to fly CRJS for 20K. its just whats out there. Its the past of least resistance. And sadly to say, regional jobs are the easiest to get, when all you have on your resume is CFI experience in a cessna.

So you work 7 days a week?

I wouldnt count on it. The only 135 ops i know of that can jumpseat is taht crappy ameriflight that you talk about. They are on CASS.

Really? is it that easy, then why isnt CAL and DAL calling me, I applied, I meet their MINS. haha
Click to expand...

Those jobs dont come often and yes, it does also help to have a connections. But I'm sure if you're determined (just like time builders are determined to build time), you can snag a better than average job.

You're the second person to say that the airlines are the easy route. I would figure it'd be best to just wait it out for a better job offer.

I typically work 7 days week. M-F I normally work 7am~1pm, but get paid for 8 hours (salary). Sat-Sun I usually fly 10am~3 (2-3 flights)... I like doing it and its good money.

AMF is the only, if any, 135 op that can jumpseat...... is that confirmed?

Well, by mins I meant competitive mins... so, what? about 1,000-1500 hours on top of their mins.
 
tinman said:
GreenDayPilot said:
And what CFI job pays more than the best regional? Maybe first year, but you're gonna work you but off to do it.
Click to expand...
I make about $3000 per month as a CFI and that's on top of free room and board. I don't think I work more than the average regional pilot is on duty. I'll be taking a pretty serious pay cut when I move on the the regionals making about half as much and have to start paying rent. A few of my collegues are planning on staying as CFIs to get some debt paid down before moving on.
Click to expand...
 
I'd have to take a $16,000 a year pay cut to go from my freight job to a regional airline, give up sleeping in my own bed every night, my four stripes (which get me the chicks, of course) and my turbine PIC upgrade in 9-12 months.

Looks to me like the grass is pretty green over here, and every day that I'm here I thank God that I'm not involved in the regional rat race. I woulda taken the job if it had been offered to me, but I won't trade where I'm at now unless it's a job at Netjets, Southwest, FedEx or something else of that level.
 
GreenDayPilot said:
Those jobs dont come often and yes, it does also help to have a connections. But I'm sure if you're determined (just like time builders are determined to build time), you can snag a better than average job.

You're the second person to say that the airlines are the easy route. I would figure it'd be best to just wait it out for a better job offer.

I typically work 7 days week. M-F I normally work 7am~1pm, but get paid for 8 hours (salary). Sat-Sun I usually fly 10am~3 (2-3 flights)... I like doing it and its good money.

AMF is the only, if any, 135 op that can jumpseat...... is that confirmed?

Well, by mins I meant competitive mins... so, what? about 1,000-1500 hours on top of their mins.
Click to expand...


Airnet is CASS as well.
 
flyguy said:
tinman said:
I make about $3000 per month as a CFI and that's on top of free room and board. I don't think I work more than the average regional pilot is on duty. I'll be taking a pretty serious pay cut when I move on the the regionals making about half as much and have to start paying rent. A few of my collegues are planning on staying as CFIs to get some debt paid down before moving on.
Click to expand...


How is it that you quoted me for something I didn't say/write? haha

Are you with ASA? I think we have some of your pilots down here at IFTA...
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top