Avoiding the Regionals...

[mhcasey]

I keep hearing people in other threads making statements along the lines of "just stay away from the regionals."

How does one go about doing that? I want to fly for the airlines eventually, so how else can I build up the necessary time? Fly commercial? Is part time commercial possible? I guess I just always thought the way things worked was roughly 1) get certifications and ratings 2) build random time while instructing 3) get on with a regional 4) get on with an airline (with some overlap in the first few steps perhaps). Are the regionals really dead end jobs today?

Your thoughts?

P.S. - I wasn't sure if this fit into "Changing Careers," but figured it would get more attention here anyways. Feel free to move it if that would be a better place.

[Doug Taylor]

An active thread

[skyhawk39]

You've got the order right...

If you want to fly at a Part 121 airline (Major) one day you are going to need Turbine PIC time, and there are few ways to get that unless you have a rich uncle or something.

1. Fly Part 135 freight for a place that has turboprops/jets, that you may get upgraded to one day.

2. Fly for the 121 regionals....there are some bad, there are some less bad, there are some that aren't bad....either way you are going to have to deal with some crap. Know that going in, get your time and get out when/if you can.

3. Join the military if you can qualify for a pilot slot and have the desire to serve your country. You accept the kings schilling and do work for the republic for 10-13 years minimum.

[Doug Taylor]

Aroo?!

[blee256]

Originally Posted by CaptainChris87

I dont care what they say if Go Jet hires me soemday ill fly for them they have beautiful planes and are expanding. if I dont get hired while CFIng for awhile rejection after rejction or whatever Gulfstream is an OPTION for me. I say do whatever it is you feel is necessary for you. and listen to these people to some extent.

We used to be friends chris. You can go ahead and take me off your buddy list now. haha

[bike21]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Aroo?!

[CaptainChris87]

lol :P but yeah not everyone I was referring more to the banned, late, former Falcon Captain and his other ultra liberal supporters.

[CaptainChris87]

and honestly I still dont have a clear picture of Go jets, why are they scabs I mean Mesa and NWA have bad managment and low pay as well, Gulfstream exists, and why whats up with Go jets?

[Doug Taylor]

But theres people, some of the same ones, here who say stupid *profanity* on here who add to your already confused state, then you somewhat agree with some of them and their comments but then some *profanity* flames you on these boards.

Then this:

lol :P but yeah not everyone I was referring more to the banned, late, former Falcon Captain and his other ultra liberal supporters.

I'm a little lost.

[Stone Cold]

I think he's drunk, or worse...because none of that made sense.

[Chris_Ford]

I'm going to go from Gulfstream right to GoJets. Then, hopefully, I can get a job replacing striking DAL pilots. Then at least I don't have to worry about anyone talking to me while I'm trying to take a nap in cruise.


since inevitably some moron will jump on me for that.

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by mhcasey

I keep hearing people in other threads making statements along the lines of "just stay away from the regionals."

How does one go about doing that? I want to fly for the airlines eventually, so how else can I build up the necessary time? Fly commercial? Is part time commercial possible? I guess I just always thought the way things worked was roughly 1) get certifications and ratings 2) build random time while instructing 3) get on with a regional 4) get on with an airline (with some overlap in the first few steps perhaps). Are the regionals really dead end jobs today?

Your thoughts?

P.S. - I wasn't sure if this fit into "Changing Careers," but figured it would get more attention here anyways. Feel free to move it if that would be a better place.

But to answer your question, I'd look at "Perspectives: Don Eikenberry" on the main site. Perhaps talk to EatSleepFly. Browse the "Freight Dogs" forum.

Not that I'm avoiding answering your question, it's just that I'd be regurgitating pre-existing information and probably do a bad job at it.

I did the regional route "Perspectives: Doug Taylor" on the main page, but things are quite a bit different now in the profession. It used to be a stepping stone to he majors, but it's becoming the final stop in the career progression for many. Which is good and/or bad depending on your angle.

[Doug Taylor]

Originally Posted by Chris_Ford

since inevitably some moron will jump on me for that.

Ahh, a little sexual tension between you and Merideth Viera on "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" and now we're all morons. It's like THAT now, eh Ford?

(Seriously, I sensed a little tension between you two)

[CaptainChris87]

I still rememebr when Falcon capt burned me, for agreeing with someone about a certain topic that I was confused about. then others still memebrs on here supported him and did not back me.....

[Chris_Ford]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

Ahh, a little sexual tension between you and Merideth Viera on "Who Wants to Be A Millionaire" and now we're all morons. It's like THAT now, eh Ford?

(Seriously, I sensed a little tension between you two)

Actually it was post-coital tension

[Doug Taylor]

Good memory! I think I gave him his 'walking papers' back in august 2004. I think I'd let that one go!

[Doug Taylor]

Now Mr. Ford, don't get scooped by a lazy gossip columnist!

[BrettInLJ]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

I did the regional route "Perspectives: Doug Taylor" on the main page, but things are quite a bit different now in the profession. It used to be a stepping stone to he majors, but it's becoming the final stop in the career progression for many. Which is good and/or bad depending on your angle.

Of course it could be a stepping stone to something else (corporate, NetJets, etc) besides the majors, provided you could upgrade and get some PIC turbine or turbojet sometime within decade.

[Doug Taylor]

I meant it in terms of the sheer numbers of guys at the regionals, the 'step UP' jobs are becoming more competitive and more scarce.

Once upon a time, you'd work at a regional and within a couple of years you were working at a major with a great degree of certainty. Nowadays, it's different. You might start seeing the firetrucks meet Expressjet 145XR's for a washdown to harken the captain's retirement.

[SFLAX]

Captian Chris, when you say Mesa and NWA have bad pay what information are you going off of? NWA is not even closes to the lowest paid in the industry. Mesa is not underpaid, they have bad work rules. The FO's and Captians make as much or more then all the regionals. They just have to work a little harder to get it. I am sick and tired of hearing we are paid less, we are not, our work rules are just a little more tough then the nail salon queens we have in this industry sometimes. Gojets are not scabs, they are scum.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by SFLAX

Captian Chris, when you say Mesa and NWA have bad pay what information are you going off of? NWA is not even closes to the lowest paid in the industry. Mesa is not underpaid, they have bad work rules. The FO's and Captians make as much or more then all the regionals. They just have to work a little harder to get it. I am sick and tired of hearing we are paid less, we are not, our work rules are just a little more tough then the nail salon queens we have in this industry sometimes. Gojets are not scabs, they are scum.

Woooo hoooo all that and you guys get to fly the 900 for 50 or 70 seat pay. Can't wait till I get my 1000tt so I can sign up!

[MikeD]

Originally Posted by Doug Taylor

You might start seeing the firetrucks meet Expressjet 145XR's for a washdown to harken the captain's retirement.

How about when we see that with a Skyway 1900?

[Tokyo007]

quick question on the gojets part..please no bashing i'm really lost on this one.

I've seen people bash gojets before and I've never seen what the story is with gojets.. can someone clue me on on why they're so bad? what is it? PFT? what makes them scum? I've also heard some mesa pilots talk about.. freedom jet or.. something like that, something happened in the past with that one. Wish there was a "we hate them because XYZ" on a website, that would help get a history of what has happened because I wasn't flying around when it did. (trying to educate myself here)

(i'd like to know because one of our ex-instructors I think got a job there..hate to apply somewhere down the road and be seen as scum)


back on topic, 2 of our instructors also went to ameriflight to build pic turbine once they get upgraded. They're also on the "avoiding the regionals" plan. Not a bad idea...only bad part is single pilot IFR (I think slightly more dangerous). I think it goes down to the question of quality of life and what works for you.

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by Maximillian_Jenius

Woooo hoooo all that and you guys get to fly the 900 for 50 or 70 seat pay. Can't wait till I get my 1000tt so I can sign up!

Read what he said - its not so much the hourly pay that is the big factor, it's the work rules. And he acknowledged they suck, no need to turn this discussion into something it isn't...

The other freight vs. regional thread actually has some really good (imo) info in it.

[Maximillian_Jenius]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Read what he said - its not so much the hourly pay that is the big factor, it's the work rules. And he acknowledged they suck, no need to turn this discussion into something it isn't...

The other freight vs. regional thread actually has some really good (imo) info in it.

I was being my normal sarcastic ass hense the tag!