Not another "What should I do" thread
10-13-2024, 05:17 PM
#1
New Hire
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2024
Posts: 1
Not another "What should I do" thread
Greetings all. I hope you're well and thanks in advance for your time and response.
I'm at a point in life where I'm planning next steps with my family and don't have anyone in my circle who I can bounce things off of, so alas, I turn to the internet.
I have career goals and family goals and I'm not sure how compatible they are with eachother.
Background: I'm 37 years old, I have a stay-at-home wife and three young children. No debt other than a mortgage. Currently a corproate safety manager/trainer in the railroad industry and make 105k a year. No strings attached; can live anywhere in the US. I'm an active CFI-I approaching 1,500 hours (I know this doesn't mean what it used to), busting my tail on evenings and weekends teaching. No failed check-rides and I'm a volunteer Safety Officer for the military flight club that I teach at. I don't consider myself a career changer since I've always wanted to be an airline pilot since I can remember, but life has had its ups and downs along the way (the loss of both parents, getting married, raising children, etc.) But we are nearly at 1,500 hours...finally, for what thats worth. I also have a letter of recommendation from a senior pilot at Republic, which I am grateful for. Thats about it...
Career goals: Major NB CA, WB FO, NB CA, LLC CA or FO or Regional CA, in that order. Would love to fly for Delta, United or American. I'd really like to work at the school house or be a check airman should the opportunity present itself. I really enjoy teaching, coahing and mentoring, be it as a CFI or in the corporate safety world.
Family goals: My wife is from the Czech Republic. Shes from a very close family and all of them are alive and well, living the good life in rural Czechia. Fortunately they've all adopted me as their own son and are great people. More so, my kids ages 6, 4 and 1 adore their grandparents and cousins. In the US, all my close relatives are deceased and when I travel often for work, my wife is home by herself with no support and our kids are missing out on the most memorable formative times of their childhood.
I'd love to live part-time or more in the Czech Republic ($100,000 in that country is like executive pay in the US), or at least be able to provide my family with travel benefits that permit them to come and go with minimal cost.
Questions:
1. Should I try and make myself competetive for an East Coast regional so that I can move to an East Coast base to prevent the family from having to cross the entire United States to get the Europe? SkyWest looks like one of the only games in town at the moment but they are largely West Coast oriented. Endeavour was on my radar a few months ago but I know those of the street opportunities are gone for the time being.
2. Typically what are the vacation benefits packages like at the regionals? I haven't been able to find much information regarding this. Is two weeks pretty typical like it is in the corporate world for your first five years of employment? I'd imagine you probably bid for vacation based on seniority?
3. I know mainline folks can stack up quite a few days off in a row without using vacation, if they bid right. Is there felxibility at the regional level to do the same thing?
4. I'm guessing maybe a more intermediate/long term career goal might be an ACMI where you are home for two weeks in a row after being on the road for 17ish days. This might be the ticket to living part-time in Europe, maybe?
5. Is it realistic to send a family of four to Europe using regional pilot benefits, multiple times a year? I'm aware that you may also purchase tickets at a discount. Anything helps.
At any rate, again, thanks for your time to provide any insite that you can. Fly safe!
I'm at a point in life where I'm planning next steps with my family and don't have anyone in my circle who I can bounce things off of, so alas, I turn to the internet.
I have career goals and family goals and I'm not sure how compatible they are with eachother.
Background: I'm 37 years old, I have a stay-at-home wife and three young children. No debt other than a mortgage. Currently a corproate safety manager/trainer in the railroad industry and make 105k a year. No strings attached; can live anywhere in the US. I'm an active CFI-I approaching 1,500 hours (I know this doesn't mean what it used to), busting my tail on evenings and weekends teaching. No failed check-rides and I'm a volunteer Safety Officer for the military flight club that I teach at. I don't consider myself a career changer since I've always wanted to be an airline pilot since I can remember, but life has had its ups and downs along the way (the loss of both parents, getting married, raising children, etc.) But we are nearly at 1,500 hours...finally, for what thats worth. I also have a letter of recommendation from a senior pilot at Republic, which I am grateful for. Thats about it...
Career goals: Major NB CA, WB FO, NB CA, LLC CA or FO or Regional CA, in that order. Would love to fly for Delta, United or American. I'd really like to work at the school house or be a check airman should the opportunity present itself. I really enjoy teaching, coahing and mentoring, be it as a CFI or in the corporate safety world.
Family goals: My wife is from the Czech Republic. Shes from a very close family and all of them are alive and well, living the good life in rural Czechia. Fortunately they've all adopted me as their own son and are great people. More so, my kids ages 6, 4 and 1 adore their grandparents and cousins. In the US, all my close relatives are deceased and when I travel often for work, my wife is home by herself with no support and our kids are missing out on the most memorable formative times of their childhood.
I'd love to live part-time or more in the Czech Republic ($100,000 in that country is like executive pay in the US), or at least be able to provide my family with travel benefits that permit them to come and go with minimal cost.
Questions:
1. Should I try and make myself competetive for an East Coast regional so that I can move to an East Coast base to prevent the family from having to cross the entire United States to get the Europe? SkyWest looks like one of the only games in town at the moment but they are largely West Coast oriented. Endeavour was on my radar a few months ago but I know those of the street opportunities are gone for the time being.
2. Typically what are the vacation benefits packages like at the regionals? I haven't been able to find much information regarding this. Is two weeks pretty typical like it is in the corporate world for your first five years of employment? I'd imagine you probably bid for vacation based on seniority?
3. I know mainline folks can stack up quite a few days off in a row without using vacation, if they bid right. Is there felxibility at the regional level to do the same thing?
4. I'm guessing maybe a more intermediate/long term career goal might be an ACMI where you are home for two weeks in a row after being on the road for 17ish days. This might be the ticket to living part-time in Europe, maybe?
5. Is it realistic to send a family of four to Europe using regional pilot benefits, multiple times a year? I'm aware that you may also purchase tickets at a discount. Anything helps.
At any rate, again, thanks for your time to provide any insite that you can. Fly safe!
10-15-2024, 05:08 PM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2022
Posts: 294
If you are serious about flying, your next step is to find a better flying job. I don't think you can afford to be picky in the current hiring environment. Apply to all the regional airlines, and if you are lucky enough to get multiple offers, that's when you make your choice. No point in getting hung up on an employer who never calls you back. Also consider Part 135 jobs.
My regional airline offers a week of vacation after one year, two weeks after 2 years, and 3 weeks after 7 years. We bid for vacation in November for the next year and it's awarded in seniority order. Your results may vary. Finding space available to Europe is easier in the off season when kids are in school, it's very hard in the summer. Expect to get assigned random middle seats at the last minute. This is going to be hard with small children. You can try begging strangers to trade seats. You have to be flexible to non-rev, and that gets harder when your kids start school.
My regional still uses line bidding. I hear that PBS bidding lets you stack trips to have more days off in a row. Your schedules will get much better for what you want when you get to a legacy, ULCC, or ACMI. Some of our flight attendants use PBS scheduling to stack all their trips together at the end of one month and the beginning of the next, giving them large blocks of days off in a row. I can't even trade or drop trips. I don't think you're going to get the lifestyle you want without paying your dues first.
If your family lived in the Czech Republic it would be easier for you to jump seat by yourself since you only need one seat on the plane. But I would wait until you land that dream job and a little bit of seniority.
My regional airline offers a week of vacation after one year, two weeks after 2 years, and 3 weeks after 7 years. We bid for vacation in November for the next year and it's awarded in seniority order. Your results may vary. Finding space available to Europe is easier in the off season when kids are in school, it's very hard in the summer. Expect to get assigned random middle seats at the last minute. This is going to be hard with small children. You can try begging strangers to trade seats. You have to be flexible to non-rev, and that gets harder when your kids start school.
My regional still uses line bidding. I hear that PBS bidding lets you stack trips to have more days off in a row. Your schedules will get much better for what you want when you get to a legacy, ULCC, or ACMI. Some of our flight attendants use PBS scheduling to stack all their trips together at the end of one month and the beginning of the next, giving them large blocks of days off in a row. I can't even trade or drop trips. I don't think you're going to get the lifestyle you want without paying your dues first.
If your family lived in the Czech Republic it would be easier for you to jump seat by yourself since you only need one seat on the plane. But I would wait until you land that dream job and a little bit of seniority.
Yesterday, 01:05 AM
#3
All is fine at .79
Joined APC: Sep 2016
Position: Paahlot
Posts: 4,220
Life is gonna suck until then but you could be living in Europe in 3-4 years. Get hired at a regional, any regional that will take you now. Get to 2500hrs TT and start applying at Atlas. After your probationary year you can move to the Czech Republic.
Expect pay and quality of life to suck until then though.
I hope you have a $40-$50k buffer fund.
Expect pay and quality of life to suck until then though.
I hope you have a $40-$50k buffer fund.
Yesterday, 04:07 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,507
I've flown with people commuting from Europe or S. America. Shoot, my dad did it for 1.5 years. It's not easy when you're junior. Talk about your kids missing out on life... you'll be gone for long stretches if you commute from Europe. My dad would bid the end of one month and the beginning of the next month packed together. Worked out that he'd be gone about 5-6 weeks and home for a month. Think about that, every 2 months you're leaving for 5-6 weeks. Or you can do the multi-commute cycle. Two guys did it twice a month - gone for 7-9 days and then home for about a week. It's a HUGE grind.
1500 hrs is great. The big question is when can you financially afford to quit your current job and get into a resume improving multi-engine jet job? That's what must guys get to advance to the majors. With the majros reducing hiring lately the resumes required to get hired at the majors, or at the regionals, are probably a lot more competitive. The recent "you've got a pulse? Call me" era has faded.
Can you buy tickets multiple times a year to fly to Europe? Can you do that right now making $105K? What if you took a $50K pay cut? $30K pay cut?
East coast base would be easier. Something within driving distance of EWR/JFK/PHL (the Big 3 primary European departure cities all close). Add in IAD to the SW and there's a 4th option.
1500 hrs is great. The big question is when can you financially afford to quit your current job and get into a resume improving multi-engine jet job? That's what must guys get to advance to the majors. With the majros reducing hiring lately the resumes required to get hired at the majors, or at the regionals, are probably a lot more competitive. The recent "you've got a pulse? Call me" era has faded.
Can you buy tickets multiple times a year to fly to Europe? Can you do that right now making $105K? What if you took a $50K pay cut? $30K pay cut?
East coast base would be easier. Something within driving distance of EWR/JFK/PHL (the Big 3 primary European departure cities all close). Add in IAD to the SW and there's a 4th option.
Yesterday, 06:16 AM
#5
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2021
Position: We Need To Talk About Your Flare
Posts: 627
All solid advice/info above from seasoned individuals. What you want is not impossible, but the "easy" time to do it is gone. Now, it's all about how much you are willing to sacrifice to get there as the path will be winding and long. An east coast base would be ideal for your family to get to/from Europe but at this point, any regional you can get on with will be better than holding out for that. Most regionals seem to be concentrating on cadets versus CFIs that were not involved with any cadet program. Sadly, that's gonna hold you back.
I you cannot seem to get on with any regional, start looking at Part 135 companies to improve the resumé, gain experience and maybe even a type rating. ACMI would be a good way to get what you want but you would have to be okay with the long stretches away from home. The path to get where you want is going to require a pay cut, certainly a decrease in QOL, and the uncertainty of how long that will last. I'm at Republic, and if you can get hired on with that internal rec, you'd at least be back to your pay within 1 year (essentially once you get off reserve and can hold a line).
I you cannot seem to get on with any regional, start looking at Part 135 companies to improve the resumé, gain experience and maybe even a type rating. ACMI would be a good way to get what you want but you would have to be okay with the long stretches away from home. The path to get where you want is going to require a pay cut, certainly a decrease in QOL, and the uncertainty of how long that will last. I'm at Republic, and if you can get hired on with that internal rec, you'd at least be back to your pay within 1 year (essentially once you get off reserve and can hold a line).
Today, 05:49 AM
#6
FO
Joined APC: Apr 2015
Position: B777
Posts: 187
Greetings all. I hope you're well and thanks in advance for your time and response.
I'm at a point in life where I'm planning next steps with my family and don't have anyone in my circle who I can bounce things off of, so alas, I turn to the internet.
I have career goals and family goals and I'm not sure how compatible they are with eachother.
Background: I'm 37 years old, I have a stay-at-home wife and three young children. No debt other than a mortgage. Currently a corproate safety manager/trainer in the railroad industry and make 105k a year. No strings attached; can live anywhere in the US. I'm an active CFI-I approaching 1,500 hours (I know this doesn't mean what it used to), busting my tail on evenings and weekends teaching. No failed check-rides and I'm a volunteer Safety Officer for the military flight club that I teach at. I don't consider myself a career changer since I've always wanted to be an airline pilot since I can remember, but life has had its ups and downs along the way (the loss of both parents, getting married, raising children, etc.) But we are nearly at 1,500 hours...finally, for what thats worth. I also have a letter of recommendation from a senior pilot at Republic, which I am grateful for. Thats about it...
Career goals: Major NB CA, WB FO, NB CA, LLC CA or FO or Regional CA, in that order. Would love to fly for Delta, United or American. I'd really like to work at the school house or be a check airman should the opportunity present itself. I really enjoy teaching, coahing and mentoring, be it as a CFI or in the corporate safety world.
Family goals: My wife is from the Czech Republic. Shes from a very close family and all of them are alive and well, living the good life in rural Czechia. Fortunately they've all adopted me as their own son and are great people. More so, my kids ages 6, 4 and 1 adore their grandparents and cousins. In the US, all my close relatives are deceased and when I travel often for work, my wife is home by herself with no support and our kids are missing out on the most memorable formative times of their childhood.
I'd love to live part-time or more in the Czech Republic ($100,000 in that country is like executive pay in the US), or at least be able to provide my family with travel benefits that permit them to come and go with minimal cost.
Questions:
1. Should I try and make myself competetive for an East Coast regional so that I can move to an East Coast base to prevent the family from having to cross the entire United States to get the Europe? SkyWest looks like one of the only games in town at the moment but they are largely West Coast oriented. Endeavour was on my radar a few months ago but I know those of the street opportunities are gone for the time being.
2. Typically what are the vacation benefits packages like at the regionals? I haven't been able to find much information regarding this. Is two weeks pretty typical like it is in the corporate world for your first five years of employment? I'd imagine you probably bid for vacation based on seniority?
3. I know mainline folks can stack up quite a few days off in a row without using vacation, if they bid right. Is there felxibility at the regional level to do the same thing?
4. I'm guessing maybe a more intermediate/long term career goal might be an ACMI where you are home for two weeks in a row after being on the road for 17ish days. This might be the ticket to living part-time in Europe, maybe?
5. Is it realistic to send a family of four to Europe using regional pilot benefits, multiple times a year? I'm aware that you may also purchase tickets at a discount. Anything helps.
At any rate, again, thanks for your time to provide any insite that you can. Fly safe!
I'm at a point in life where I'm planning next steps with my family and don't have anyone in my circle who I can bounce things off of, so alas, I turn to the internet.
I have career goals and family goals and I'm not sure how compatible they are with eachother.
Background: I'm 37 years old, I have a stay-at-home wife and three young children. No debt other than a mortgage. Currently a corproate safety manager/trainer in the railroad industry and make 105k a year. No strings attached; can live anywhere in the US. I'm an active CFI-I approaching 1,500 hours (I know this doesn't mean what it used to), busting my tail on evenings and weekends teaching. No failed check-rides and I'm a volunteer Safety Officer for the military flight club that I teach at. I don't consider myself a career changer since I've always wanted to be an airline pilot since I can remember, but life has had its ups and downs along the way (the loss of both parents, getting married, raising children, etc.) But we are nearly at 1,500 hours...finally, for what thats worth. I also have a letter of recommendation from a senior pilot at Republic, which I am grateful for. Thats about it...
Career goals: Major NB CA, WB FO, NB CA, LLC CA or FO or Regional CA, in that order. Would love to fly for Delta, United or American. I'd really like to work at the school house or be a check airman should the opportunity present itself. I really enjoy teaching, coahing and mentoring, be it as a CFI or in the corporate safety world.
Family goals: My wife is from the Czech Republic. Shes from a very close family and all of them are alive and well, living the good life in rural Czechia. Fortunately they've all adopted me as their own son and are great people. More so, my kids ages 6, 4 and 1 adore their grandparents and cousins. In the US, all my close relatives are deceased and when I travel often for work, my wife is home by herself with no support and our kids are missing out on the most memorable formative times of their childhood.
I'd love to live part-time or more in the Czech Republic ($100,000 in that country is like executive pay in the US), or at least be able to provide my family with travel benefits that permit them to come and go with minimal cost.
Questions:
1. Should I try and make myself competetive for an East Coast regional so that I can move to an East Coast base to prevent the family from having to cross the entire United States to get the Europe? SkyWest looks like one of the only games in town at the moment but they are largely West Coast oriented. Endeavour was on my radar a few months ago but I know those of the street opportunities are gone for the time being.
2. Typically what are the vacation benefits packages like at the regionals? I haven't been able to find much information regarding this. Is two weeks pretty typical like it is in the corporate world for your first five years of employment? I'd imagine you probably bid for vacation based on seniority?
3. I know mainline folks can stack up quite a few days off in a row without using vacation, if they bid right. Is there felxibility at the regional level to do the same thing?
4. I'm guessing maybe a more intermediate/long term career goal might be an ACMI where you are home for two weeks in a row after being on the road for 17ish days. This might be the ticket to living part-time in Europe, maybe?
5. Is it realistic to send a family of four to Europe using regional pilot benefits, multiple times a year? I'm aware that you may also purchase tickets at a discount. Anything helps.
At any rate, again, thanks for your time to provide any insite that you can. Fly safe!
HD
Today, 10:34 AM
#7
Disinterested Third Party
Joined APC: Jun 2012
Posts: 6,291
Separation from family is a far shorter distance than it used to be, given face-time, video conferencing, texing, and cell phones.
Aviation-induced divorce syndrome is a lie, usually told by those who can't take responsibility for their own failed marriages. Don't make aviation the scapegoat. Hundreds of thousands of pilots make it work, and every marriage takes work.
Aviation-induced divorce syndrome is a lie, usually told by those who can't take responsibility for their own failed marriages. Don't make aviation the scapegoat. Hundreds of thousands of pilots make it work, and every marriage takes work.
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