Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E190?

[BobDDuck]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

I just want to be the one that steals the rice from the poor people, and claims it as the property of Boris.

I dunno... In the movies, that's the dude that always ends up dying in some horrible way (example: Black Hawk Down).

 

[Fins Up]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

I'm aspiring to be a 190 CA within the next year (maybe a little longer). $131/hr ain't bad for a plane that size in my opinion. But I wasn't around for the "glory days". Hopefully our new rates will help the US and Republic folks get theirs up.

 

[meyers9163]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

I'm aspiring to be a 190 CA within the next year (maybe a little longer). $131/hr ain't bad for a plane that size in my opinion. But I wasn't around for the "glory days". Hopefully our new rates will help the US and Republic folks get theirs up.

Hopefully indeed.... Hopefully those at RAH will see years of service and the pay rate accordingly. Not the fact their scale tops out after 20 years at 121..... That should be roughly what a new hire with less then 3-4 years makes as a CA maybe... But not the 18 year CA.... Hopefully they can follow suit and get a great rate for theirs as well...

 

[skydog2]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

Hi,

I'm still thinking about if I want to make aviation a career.. Has the progression from CFI -> Regionals -> Major come to a halt? And also if you had to take a wild guess, will quality of life continue to deteriorate (pensions cut, regional outsourcing to another regional, doritos for dinner at colgan) or does it have a chance of improving?

Thanks

The progression hasn't changed, just the definitions. Remember, "major" airlines used to operate DC-3s's as their "mainline" aircraft. Nowadays, many of the so-called "regional" airlines qualify as "majors."

As far as your other question, let's rephrase it. "Will airlines continue to make changes to the way they do business in order to attempt to make a profit?" The answer is yes.

I advise you to rid yourself of the romantic, silk-scarfed notions of the "good ole days" that used to be associated with this business, and view it in the cold light of reality. The only reason life was ever so good for the major airline folks was because prior to deregulation, airlines didn't have to make a profit. Or perhaps a better way to say it is that, under regulation, profit was (almost) assured because competition was limited.

 

[Bandit_Driver]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

not trying to stir up anything here, but where did the "anything over 50 seats should be mainline" come from? Is the 50 seats just an arbitrary number? or because of the CRJ-200 that has 50 seats...IIRC?

This just my opinion but a regional carrier typically did short hops to feed the major carrier. Anything above 50 seats start competing with mainline equipment like the small DC-9's.

I wonder how long before the RAH pilot start demanding to fly the Airbus? I personally can't stand WH or BB at RAH....And yes I have met both

 

[Patrick]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

This just my opinion but a regional carrier typically did short hops to feed the major carrier. Anything above 50 seats start competing with mainline equipment like the small DC-9's.

I wonder how long before the RAH pilot start demanding to fly the Airbus? I personally can't stand WH or BB at RAH....And yes I have met both

That's the part that scares me. When you start seeing "regional" pilots flying mainline metal (for what would likely be regional wages) you're going down a very slippery slope...

 

[jtrain609]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

That's the part that scares me. When you start seeing "regional" pilots flying mainline metal (for what would likely be regional wages) you're going down a very slippery slope...

If I was at Republic, I'd be demanding to fly the 'bus; for mainline pay and mainline work rules. Whether WE chose to face it or not, Republic has just become a career airline.

The problem we have is that we're still holding onto this idea of "Anything over 50 seats should be mainline" and, "Oh well the regionals are just a stepping stone."

These ideas are attached to our feet like cement shoes, and management just tossed us in the drink. The longer we cling to these ideas, the further we'll sink into Davy Jone's locker.

The problem is that we have the ability to remove these weights, but we continue to chose not to by holding onto old, outdated ideas that used to keep us safe. The sooner we "get up with the get down," the better.

 

[ahsmatt7]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

I dont know how this would pan out long term, but why dont the major carriers just engulf the regionals all together. For example, instead of having a separate airline do the regional flying under a mainline tag, why not have the mainline carrier buyout the regional and now, the erjs and crjs are technically a part of the mainline carrier. Then there could be one huge seniority list and a pilot would move from a small jet or turboprop through a 777 or something to that effect. the pay would get better as longevity was accrued and when a pilot upgraded to a different aircraft or went from FO to CA. That way, we wouldn't have all these regional carriers. Also when it ssays united or delta on the side, it means its operated by said airlines. When it comes furlough time it may get tricky.


If my logic is wrong then educate me. I love learning and am open to discussion and critiquing.

 

[jtrain609]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

I dont know how this would pan out long term, but why dont the major carriers just engulf the regionals all together. For example, instead of having a separate airline do the regional flying under a mainline tag, why not have the mainline carrier buyout the regional and now, the erjs and crjs are technically a part of the mainline carrier. Then there could be one huge seniority list and a pilot would move from a small jet or turboprop through a 777 or something to that effect. the pay would get better as longevity was accrued and when a pilot upgraded to a different aircraft or went from FO to CA. That way, we wouldn't have all these regional carriers. Also when it ssays united or delta on the side, it means its operated by said airlines. When it comes furlough time it may get tricky.


If my logic is wrong then educate me. I love learning and am open to discussion and critiquing.

The reason this doesn't happen is because the system in place is cheaper than what you're recommending.

 

[Fins Up]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

Hi,

I'm still thinking about if I want to make aviation a career.. Has the progression from CFI -> Regionals -> Major come to a halt? And also if you had to take a wild guess, will quality of life continue to deteriorate (pensions cut, regional outsourcing to another regional, doritos for dinner at colgan) or does it have a chance of improving?

Thanks

With everything that has been said here about the job gonig downhill, let me say this:
I've been doing this job for about 4 years, military before that. I guess I missed the "glory days" and maybe that's a good thing. I'm at what I consider a good company (JetBlue). My QOL is pretty good - decent schedules, people, pay. I LOVE this job. If I can't be at home, I can't think of anything else I would rather do. My company is still relatively young - 10 years old now. Maybe the cynicism hasn't set in yet.

It's going to be a tough road to get where you want to be in this industry no matter what path you take. You only go around once. If you really think this is what you want to do, go for it. BUT, I recommend getting a college degree so you have options if aviation doesn't work out for you. Good luck.

 

[Matt13C]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

I dont know where I will end up in this flying game, or if I will even try to make it a career. However, if I ever go fly commercial, I will aspire to fly the plane that keep me away the least amount of time and pays me the most money. If that means flying a C402 or a 787 I dont care, its about QOL. Never justify your pay or time off with "but I get to fly a...so its ok".

 

[ahsmatt7]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

The reason this doesn't happen is because the system in place is cheaper than what you're recommending.

It always is isn't it...:banghead:. When will it become quality over quantity....i reckon it never will.

 

[twotwowoo]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

Also, it's worth keeping in mind that there is more to the aviation industry than the airlines. Freight, 135 charter, agricultural aviation, and flight instructing are just a few career paths that a professional pilot can take. ATC is also a good career option. Broaden your horizons - there are more options than just the regional airlines or a 9 to 5 desk job.

 

[twotwowoo]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

I dont know where I will end up in this flying game, or if I will even try to make it a career. However, if I ever go fly commercial, I will aspire to fly the plane that keep me away the least amount of time and pays me the most money. If that means flying a C402 or a 787 I dont care, its about QOL. Never justify your pay or time off with "but I get to fly a...so its ok".

[devil's advocate]

This may work for you, but not everyone places the same value on high pay and plenty of time off. You'll probably make more and have a more predictable schedule being a cube monkey. However, even with that considered, some people would still rather fly for a living.

[/devils advocate]

 

[Jshutt64]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

It always is isn't it...:banghead:. When will it become quality over quantity....i reckon it never will.

Why pay a mainline captain 150k a year to do the same thing a regional captain will do for 60k?

Yesterday I was checking out the Skywest route map and realized that I could fly from LAX to DFW on a RJ. That's over halfway across the country!

Regional jet? I think not.

 

[twotwowoo]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

Why pay a mainline captain 150k a year to do the same thing a regional captain will do for 60k?

Exactly. This is why we need the return of pre-1978 style airline regulation.

 

[jtrain609]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

Why pay a mainline captain 150k a year to do the same thing a regional captain will do for 60k?

Yesterday I was checking out the Skywest route map and realized that I could fly from LAX to DFW on a RJ. That's over halfway across the country!

Regional jet? I think not.

Is that including a stop in Salt Lake or Denver? If so, that's nothing.

ExpressJet does Houston to Bakersfield, Houston to Toronto and Houston to Grand Rapids.

 

[Jshutt64]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

Is that including a stop in Salt Lake or Denver? If so, that's nothing.

ExpressJet does Houston to Bakersfield, Houston to Toronto and Houston to Grand Rapids.

Naw, it's direct.

It's ironic because if you look at the flight for any given day Skywest will do LAX-DFW direct as United Express, but mainline United connects through DEN to do LAX-DFW.

 

[ahsmatt7]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

Why pay a mainline captain 150k a year to do the same thing a regional captain will do for 60k?

Yesterday I was checking out the Skywest route map and realized that I could fly from LAX to DFW on a RJ. That's over halfway across the country!

Regional jet? I think not.

The only reason a regional capt. will do that it for 60k is because he has no other choice. If we could go directly to a major, the regionals wouldn't exist...plain and simple. No one would apply to the regionals if they could go to a major. Since that is not the case, if one wants to be in the 121 world....you gotta do the same types of flying for less. What I propsed may be expensive, but it would also knock out the notion that regionals are unsafe compared to mainline carriers.....why??? Because there are no more regionals.

 

[meyers9163]

Re: Will the new generation of pilots aspire to captain an E

With everything that has been said here about the job gonig downhill, let me say this:
I've been doing this job for about 4 years, military before that. I guess I missed the "glory days" and maybe that's a good thing. I'm at what I consider a good company (JetBlue). My QOL is pretty good - decent schedules, people, pay. I LOVE this job. If I can't be at home, I can't think of anything else I would rather do. My company is still relatively young - 10 years old now. Maybe the cynicism hasn't set in yet.

It's going to be a tough road to get where you want to be in this industry no matter what path you take. You only go around once. If you really think this is what you want to do, go for it. BUT, I recommend getting a college degree so you have options if aviation doesn't work out for you. Good luck.

Good advice all around....

ps... how was the trip with the Mrs down to Barbados... Hit me up with a pm!!! Hope it went well!