deadstick35

I agree. People need to get over the "1000TPIC-up-and-out" mentality. Be ready to stay at the regional for at least 3, and probably 5 years (maybe longer). I'm sure some of the 10+ yr regional CA's never planned on staying. You just never know what tomorrow will bring.

FLYLOW22

GLA opted for other options on the 1900... Tailets, winglets and stabilons.

What does the job pay these days?

Spoilers

People need to realize that every regional airline sucks, and that we need to start getting used to making a career at the regionals. With more CRJ900, E175s coming on line, there won't be any major airline jobs left to go to. Great Lakes is the only true commuter airline left, but upgrades will start slowing over there as well, because none of their CAs will be able to move on to anywhere else.

1900luxuryliner

totally agree with above

I'm not specifically responding to anyone in this thread with the following, just ranting. If the "1000 PIC-up-and-out" mentality is no longer valid, it's a direct result of not only capacity cuts, but also because of route subcontracting to larger RJs. When I started at Lakes, the "1000 PIC-up-and-out" mentality was completely valid, and was working for almost all of our captains. That is why I came to Lakes. I find it funny how some large RJ drivers are so quick to knock someone for going to Lakes, yet not taking any personal responsibility for the whole reason why that person will be forced to go to Lakes to begin with. Then, they go on to say that anyone who is paid less than them is bringing down the industry, even if the aircraft has 60 less seats than the aircraft they are flying; totally oblivious, or totally ignoring the fact that they are operating as the lowest paid major (quasi regional) airline pilot in the industry. There is room for improvement at Lakes, I know. We are more unified than ever, and in the process of changing unions. We're in the process of getting Big Sky's former union in place, and are well on the way to making things better.

ImEbee

Thanks once again for contributing absolutely nothing to a thread. I think I'll start "Why Eagle Is The Greatest" or "Why I fly RJ's but Don't Apply to Previous Statements" and give you something productive to talk about.

This is a very important point right now. We are currently in the process of dropping the Teamsters in favor of UTU (United Transportation Union) who was Big Sky's former representation. With the help and active participation of the UTU and a newly organized pilot group we plan to make signifigant improvements to our current contract that eliminates the loopholes and vagaries that have plagued previous contracts. But once again this will be dependant on the pilot group and especially newhires who want to and are willing to put in the effort to effect these changes.

ImEbee

Looks like you type faster than me Lux

Mason32

Oh, the old "I don't make a difference, I'm only one person defense."

Trying to make newer people like you realize that they shouldn't accept the job for what they offer at regional airlines.

I've seen the pay cut, and cut, and cut over the years to the point that I have no idea how anybody in their right mind would want to go into the right seat for 24k a year to start.... when the long term income is now down to under 150k... and you won't get that until your last 10 years. The days of doing a few years at a regional and going to a major are all but gone, yet the regionals still thrive on newer folks protituting themselves based upon the false hope...

does that answer your question?

SkyStormer6

Yeah you answered my question all right. Your solution is that I don't take any job at any regional because of the pay. If I do I'm making things worse for everyone. So basically my options under your theory are to get my CFI and instruct till I can go to a major or something? Or just quit being a pilot all together I guess. I guess you never had a job with less than stellar pay and work rules and went from student to awesome job.

Purpleanga

It's not only one guy trying to go to Lakes which is probably the only "regional" left. He's not the problem. Not as long as you have 10/20000 hour pilots applying at places like GJ/Lynx/Lakes/Compass. Pilots will fly for anything, this generation and the previous one as well and management has been capitalizing on that for a long time now. The way I look at it we're doing nothing more than outsourcing our own future jobs. Half of UA flying for example is UAX. The past generatoin just never had to deal with what we're dealing with. You'd spend a couple of miserable years but at least you knew that a major job was waiting.

FL450

Not to intervene in your convo with Mason

I don't think that Mason is trying to deter you from going to the regionals at all, I'm sure that at one point he flew for some regional. I think his point it that substandard wages are unacceptable and that the only was this is going to change is if the new commers take a stance. Accept the job but request better pay or no deal... things like that are what mason is trying to say. Honestly if you look at GLA pay rates for first and second year, unless you have a better half who makes very good money and is willing to sacrafice for two years its almost impossible to live off those wages. Granted I have nothing against GLA I think they serve the niche for which they set out for, however I don't agree with all their practices. In terms of instructing, I (my 2 cents) believe every one needs to instruct at somepoint. This is not a right of passage thing, its an eye opening experience that teaches you a lot about yourself and also what is in store for the future. Now I will say, not EVERYBODY is meant to be an instructor! If instructing is not trully in your heart then do yourself, student, and loan agencies a favor and don't get a CFI. I honestly miss instructing somedays because its fun, rewarding and you learn a lot but it has also enabled me to progress to the point I'm at right now flying 135(no I'm not a FLX or Amerijet or any other freight company you can think of pilot).

I don't blame you for wanting to go to great lakes and advance your career, and to answer your question, yes some people I know and many others know went from college grad to United first officers. Those days are gone for now, who knows what will happen in the future but thats besides the point. In the end its your choice your career yada yada... what I will say though is think carefully about your decision instead of jumping in blind. The Choices you make today will affect you for many years tomorrow.


Good Luck


FL450

disclaimer: for the grammer nazi's I don't have time to spell check I'm done with college!