When will regionals hire again?
10-17-2024, 03:57 AM
#12
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I'm not plugged into the sitch at every regional but I know PSA and Piedmont are hiring for exactly the reason you said. They finally have enough captains so airplanes that have been parked are coming back online.
The crappy ACMIs are probably still hiring so there will be a little movement as regional pilots get tired of waiting for flows and seek variety.
The Big 3 all claim hiring at least 1,000 each next year so that will help a bit but you are correct, military, Spirit, Frontier, ACMI and flows will be more than enough to fill those slots.
TPIC, degrees, check airman experience, sim instructor, chief pilot are all factors again. Some highly qualified regional pilots will still get hired outside of flow arrangements. We're also nowhere near the 'lost decade' level of stagnation.
The crappy ACMIs are probably still hiring so there will be a little movement as regional pilots get tired of waiting for flows and seek variety.
The Big 3 all claim hiring at least 1,000 each next year so that will help a bit but you are correct, military, Spirit, Frontier, ACMI and flows will be more than enough to fill those slots.
TPIC, degrees, check airman experience, sim instructor, chief pilot are all factors again. Some highly qualified regional pilots will still get hired outside of flow arrangements. We're also nowhere near the 'lost decade' level of stagnation.
10-18-2024, 05:40 AM
#14
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they are hiring slowly but now they want experienced applicants outside of the cadets ect. turbine, Cargo, PIC, Multi, all of the above instead of a 1500 cfi who flew patterns around 1 airport teaching someone that knew even less.
10-19-2024, 08:20 PM
#15
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10-20-2024, 05:00 AM
#16
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Given that, the five year contract seems less risky to me.
10-20-2024, 05:08 AM
#17
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the only thing I'd add is that "regionals" in most cases have become acceptable careers themselves. The compensation and contracts read more like an ULCC or LCC did just a few years ago. Many would choose living 20 minutes from base at a regional over a career of commuting. Are there outliers like CommutAir that still rely on pilots not being willing to sign a training contract, yep. But the better regionals are actually nothing like they were in the 2000's or 20 teens.
Fee For departure (FFD). They all rely on mostly short term contracts with various legacies for their existence. Look back to 2020 and see what happens when regionals lose their contracts, or what happens if the owner just decides he's done with the company.
Also the current relatively high pay can and likely will be knocked back over time, simply by shuffling flying around some to put regional unions on the back foot, and letting inflation take it's toll.
I'm still sticking with the pearl of wisdon acquired by many over the years: It's probably going to be a better career if the logo on your plane matches the logo on your paycheck.
Most of these better regionals aren't even regional anymore. They operate coast to coast, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico and even South America. Many are more of a national or even technically, an ACMI with long term CPA's......which is probably most accurate. We just separate the ACMI from "regionals" by the plane size and type of flying.
There are many 737/767/777 operators that fly passenger sub service for other airlines, just usually short term contracts.... but it's the same general idea.
There are many 737/767/777 operators that fly passenger sub service for other airlines, just usually short term contracts.... but it's the same general idea.
With contracts, some manager way up the chain at another company can just cut you loose with 30 days notice (often in late Dec). They will then go home, knock back some $400 scotch and sleep like a baby.
For a manager at a major to do that, they have to put their own job on the line in BK court. So basically they're largely stuck with you. For a routine downturn, you don't even take a paycut if you're even a little bit senior. If you do get furloughed, you know you'll be back soon enough.
10-20-2024, 05:21 AM
#18
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Joined APC: Sep 2017
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Posts: 293
You are new to jets no degree and 1500 hours and get a Regional job.
Get hired. Spend 4-6 months in training before logging your first hour. Fly 60 hours of block per month as an FO average. 17 months on the line to get upgrade. 4 months in upgrade training. Now fly 65 hours per months as a CA. 16 months to get first 1000 TPIC. Now you are on the radar for a legacy but not fully competitive yet. Apply, finish degree, hit shows, get interview, wait for class date.
5 years could also be not too long...But predicting airline hiring that far out is a Fool's game.
Yes, everyone will nitpick this timeline. This is what time accumulation at Piedmont is like if you don't trade all your days off for work away.
Good luck.
10-20-2024, 05:48 AM
#19
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10-20-2024, 09:24 AM
#20
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