Wisdom of a lateral career move

Hiboglossi

Hiboglossi

The Most Depressing Person
I currently work at a regional that is most likely a sinking ship. I'm considering an offer for a direct-entry captain position at one of the AA wholly owned regionals.

Both my current employer and the one I have an offer from have all EMB-145 fleets, which worries me since the writing on the wall suggests most 50-seat jets will be retired soon. I think my employer will most likely be Comaired within the next few years. I could see that being the case with the regional I have an offer from as well, but of course it's harder to gauge since I don't work there. The flow to AA is a major reason I am interested, especially since I have an accident and multiple training failures on my record, so I probably don't have much chance of ever escaping the regionals outside of a flow- especially since I did get a call from a ULCC a few months ago, and from an ACMI carrier several years ago but couldn't get past the phone interview either time, so I seem to interview very poorly.

I am very senior at my current employer, but I'm not sure how much that seniority is really worth. We are a very small airline, and the fate of TSA and Compass makes me suspect it's unlikely that there will be furloughs here and the company will survive- I think it's far likelier we'll simply be Comaired next downturn or potentially even sooner.

The AA wholly-owned does pay better as well, and I'd probably be based closer to home. I'm trying to decide if it would be wise to make this lateral move- I'm hesitant to do it, since I would be giving up seniority and above all it would be easier not too. Plus life on permanent reserve as a DEC sounds miserable. But then it might be worth a few years or a decade of misery to hopefully make it to mainline, and I'm "only" in my early 30s so I theoretically would still have time for a decent career there. And I'd hate to forgo a move that would be good for my long-term career prospects just because I got too comfortable at a sinking-ship regional.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
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Yakob said:
I currently work at a regional that is most likely a sinking ship. I'm considering an offer for a direct-entry captain position at one of the AA wholly owned regionals.

Both my current employer and the one I have an offer from have all EMB-145 fleets, which worries me since the writing one the wall suggests most 50-seat jets will be retired soon. I think my employer will most likely be Comaired within the next few years. I could see that being the case with the regional I have an offer from as well, but of course it's harder to gauge since I don't work there. The flow to AA is a major reason I am interested, especially since I have an accident and multiple training failures on my record, so I probably don't have much chance of ever escaping the regionals outside of a flow- especially since I did get a call from a ULCC a few months ago, and from an ACMI carrier several years ago but couldn't get past the phone interview either time, so I seem to interview very poorly.

I am very senior at my current employer, but I'm not sure how much that seniority is really worth. We are a very small airline, and the fate of TSA and Compass makes me suspect it's unlikely that there will be furloughs here and the company will survive- I think it's far likelier we'll simply be Comaired next downturn or potentially even sooner.

The AA wholly-owned does pay better as well, and I'd probably be based closer to home. I'm trying to decide if it would be wise to make this lateral move- I'm hesitant to do it, since I would be giving up seniority and above all it would be easier not too. Plus life on permanent reserve as a DEC sounds miserable. But then it might be worth a few years or a decade of misery to hopefully make it to mainline, and I'm "only" in my early 30s so I theoretically would still have time for a decent career there. And I'd hate to forgo a move that would be good for my long-term career prospects just because I got too comfortable at a sinking-ship regional.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
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I've never flown for the airlines so my opinion doesn't hold too much weight. I hear a lot of pros and not many cons. Sounds like seniority the only thing you are giving up. You get better pay, flow, and a shorter commute eventually. My vote is to go for it.
 
Don't sell yourself short, as this hiring environment is wild. The stories are endless of people getting hired today whereas that same person would have been disqualified just a few years ago because of times or undesirable items in their records.

If you think the lateral move with long term benefits is good, go for it. As Michael Scott says - "You miss every shot you don't take."
 
Yakob said:
I currently work at a regional that is most likely a sinking ship. I'm considering an offer for a direct-entry captain position at one of the AA wholly owned regionals.

Both my current employer and the one I have an offer from have all EMB-145 fleets, which worries me since the writing on the wall suggests most 50-seat jets will be retired soon. I think my employer will most likely be Comaired within the next few years. I could see that being the case with the regional I have an offer from as well, but of course it's harder to gauge since I don't work there. The flow to AA is a major reason I am interested, especially since I have an accident and multiple training failures on my record, so I probably don't have much chance of ever escaping the regionals outside of a flow- especially since I did get a call from a ULCC a few months ago, and from an ACMI carrier several years ago but couldn't get past the phone interview either time, so I seem to interview very poorly.

I am very senior at my current employer, but I'm not sure how much that seniority is really worth. We are a very small airline, and the fate of TSA and Compass makes me suspect it's unlikely that there will be furloughs here and the company will survive- I think it's far likelier we'll simply be Comaired next downturn or potentially even sooner.

The AA wholly-owned does pay better as well, and I'd probably be based closer to home. I'm trying to decide if it would be wise to make this lateral move- I'm hesitant to do it, since I would be giving up seniority and above all it would be easier not too. Plus life on permanent reserve as a DEC sounds miserable. But then it might be worth a few years or a decade of misery to hopefully make it to mainline, and I'm "only" in my early 30s so I theoretically would still have time for a decent career there. And I'd hate to forgo a move that would be good for my long-term career prospects just because I got too comfortable at a sinking-ship regional.

Thanks in advance for any advice.
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Reading your post, it makes me think we work for the same place. DM me if you want to talk about that.

If we DO work for the same place - I can see how you'd think we're likely to be Comaired. It's certainly possible, I suppose, given what's happening with Mesa these days. However, you have to remember that these 50 seaters are profitable for the parent company, and they're paid for. We're making them money, and the CEO has flat out said that historical decisions in these matters were flat-out wrong.

So while we might get Comaired, I think there's a longer timeline, and that it might not actually happen.

The ULCCs might be exactly what you need....like the others said, I wouldn't necessarily look at a lateral move as a DEC - the bonus looks good but look carefully at the strings attached to it, and remember how long you'll be at the bottom of the seniority list.

If you've identified the interview process as problematic for you, then maybe invest in some coaching - there are a few places out there and for modest sums, can maybe help you through that hurdle. Blowing things up and going to another regional doesn't make sense if that's the major problem you're up against.

I'll shoot you a PM if you want to talk a little more detail.
 
I am the king of lateral moves. Very little good comes of them. They require far too much exposition at subsequent interviews. Each one sets you further behind in the search for a forever home. So add my vote to those that say, ride it to the grave while simultaneously applying at LCCs and majors. Go to the first one that hires you, and guard that seniority number jealously.
 
I did a lateral move once, it was for a DEC position. FO at Regional A to CA at Regional B (still commuting so that was a wash) the ONLY benefit was the money and collecting TPIC (back when upgrades were 8+ years at some regionals and TPIC + 2 Masters degrees were prerequisite at the majors)

I don't recommend it...everything else suffered marriage, health, QOL and the money wasn't worth it. As a DEC I never saw a line in 12 months was always on short call and barely flew. I agree with the above, rage apply to the ULCC's and LCC's till someone bites.

FWIW, I know plenty that have multiple training failures and a few that have DUI's or aircraft accidents that are now loving life the big 6...hiring environment is a different beast these days.

good luck on the decision and let us know what you choose.
 
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I’d personally make a lateral move that has a direct flow and keep my apps updated everywhere as you work towards that flow. It’s a tough spot to be in but with an accident and multiple failures I think it’s best to be realistic about the most guaranteed way to get what you want eventually. That’s just a tough situation to overcome regardless of how those things transpired.
 
tlove482 said:
I've never flown for the airlines so my opinion doesn't hold too much weight. I hear a lot of pros and not many cons. Sounds like seniority the only thing you are giving up. You get better pay, flow, and a shorter commute eventually. My vote is to go for it.
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I second @tlove482 on this. The only positive you’ve quoted for staying is your seniority. If you truly believe you are going to get “commaired”, then that seniority is on borrowed time anyway.

I also agree you should shotgun every LCC and major. If that goes nowhere, there’s your answer, and you know jumping ship to secure your spot at a legacy is the right move.
 
Why wouldn't you get hired by literally anyone else at this point? As you say you're "very senior," and it seems like noobs gets hired everyday, everywhere.

Throw out apps....and ride your company into the dirt before starting over.
 
Here's my thoughts.


Apply everywhere. If the writing really is on the wall, start the process for the lateral transfer so you can build seniority there. But if a ULCC or anybody else calls, then go there instead.

Lateral moves generally aren't recommended. But sometimes they're a good temporary fix if you need it.
 
I didn’t really read beyond the first few words you posted, but apply to majors (and i guess ULCC). You have to know someone who will write you an internal, if that even matters right now. In 6-9 months, you can look back on this post and say that your question was silly :) Seriously, do it, and may the odds ever be in your favor!
 
I’m not usually one to give much career advice on here, I’ve made my share of what could be considered questionable moves to escape short term pain and find any patch of grass greener than the one I was on. But, I’ll bite on this one.

If your goal is to fly for the majors, apply now. They may call, if they don’t you have your apps in while you still have your job. If the place you’re at goes TU, having apps already in and updating them may be a ticket to one of those places calling you in the event of losing your job. In this environment, I can honestly see multiple majors firing out interview invites to those that are affected by a regional shutting down. Especially if you’re a captain with an app already on file.

In the meantime, just ride that wave. I’m sure the direct CA bonuses and sign on bonuses are calling your name, but take this from someone who has thought short sighted his entire career… Short term pain sometimes is a necessary sacrifice for long term gain. Avoiding short term pain just kicks the can of inevitable questioning of your career decisions down the road, that I can promise you.

Again, my advice is probably worthless as I’m at an ACMI that is sinking as well, but my next move will be somewhere that I feel will be my last interview providing the world doesn’t implode for the next 30 years.

The irony is I’m now trying to get on off the street to a place that I had a number for in a pathway program from the regional I left back in 2019. That number would have already been called… last year.. That is uhhh… humbling and a little embarrassing.
 
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JDean3204 said:
The irony is I’m now trying to get on off the street to a place that I had a number for in a pathway program from the regional I left back in 2019. That number would have already been called… last year.. That is uhhh… humbling and a little embarrassing.
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we do the best we can with the information we have available to us at the time we make the decision.
 
While it may be easier to think the grass will be greener, in my opinion I don’t think that will be the case. Commuting to endless reserve with 11 days off/month is about as bad as it gets, and decent chance you won’t fly as much as you are now. If you really want to stick it out for the flow, go in prepared to be there for at least 10 years (6-7 yr flow + another slow down by then), with bad QOL and few days off.

It could be a good move if you go through training with no issues, as it’ll show you have a recent record of passing. On the other hand you’ll now have to explain why you made a lateral move from regional to regional, which depending on the interviewer is not ideal either.

Personally, I would stick it out and try your best to make your current situation better, whether it be a cpo job, lca, sim instructor, something with ALPA etc. And in the meantime apply to majors, ULCC’s, ACMI, and 121 charter carriers.
 
Honestly, its a crazy time right now. Id 100% advocate for shooting apps out to the Legacies, ULCC and then the laterals.
And if interviews are the problem, id say “coaching” or taking up anyone else here whose offered (add myself to that list, DM anytime).

Part of any good interviewee is NEVER sell yourself short, so don't start by limiting your ambition :)
 
+1 on application and interview prep.

Also just in case you’re not aware how bonuses work at the WO’s… let’s say you get a $100k sign on bonus, but after tax you might only get $75k. Now let’s say after 10 months you get hired by a major and leave, you’ll owe them back the full $100k even though you only ever got $75k to begin with. And as of a few years ago, they do actually come after you for it.

The money they’re offering is great and possibly life changing, but just something to be aware of while you make your decision.
 
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