C5Pilot

Exactly, just wish when I flew with a lifer they didn't spend 5 legs justifying why they want to stay, I'm fine with it, less competition. Personally I know a 10 year Capt at SWA who has 18 days off a month making over $200K, personal I like flying international as it is basically no work, as one UAL 74 copilot told me, as second relief all I do is make the bunk. 777 at CAL on reserve may be the best job in the Industry, all long call and my buddy had to fly to Houston three times in 9 months to stay current, he flew exactly one trip in that time. there are jobs out there with a lot more money and time off. But again each his own, glad the lifer's are happy.

Captain Tony

Oh please!

Of course no one grew up saying they wanted to fly an RJ for $90 an hour! Even when I took this job, my plan was to spend a couple of years and move on to mainline.

But then a little thing called 9/11 happened. That was followed by a recession, a couple of wars, the era of airline bankruptcies, another recession, and here we are, 10 years older! Throw a growing family into that mix, and voila, plans change.

Btw, I don't need a part time job. If you can't live comfortably on $85,000 a year, then you need to examine your expenses. Most of the people where I live make $35-$45K and they're perfectly happy.

Captain Tony

This piece of flamebait deserves its own response. I'm sure all the riddle kids hate their $100,000 of debt, but I'm a firm believer that you will work a lot harder in college and actually learn something if it isn't a 5 year all expenses paid vacation provided by your parents. My kids will be earning scholarships and working their way through college.

duvie

Perhaps, but perhaps they'll also have memories of their dad at home as opposed to commuting to reserve for a few years before getting furloughed. I personally plan to make the jump, the majors' lists are gonna be virtually replaced between now and 2030 or so, but I can't blame a guy who realizes what he has, is thankful for it and doesn't let his ego string him along in an attempt to fly a bigger airplane.

Are the regionals a sure bet? Absolutely not, but career choice in this business is all a calculated gamble and the QOL of a senior regional captain is still better than almost any 9 to 5 jobs out there (if you've got the right attitude). There are some guys who vehemently oppose the idea of going to a major without any real facts about it (retirement figures, eventual QOL increases, etc) and also guys who have a total hard-on for the majors and virtually ignore the risks, both mindsets are frustrating to come across, but if somebody is making an informed decision, who are we to judge?

Cycle Pilot

I average about the same amount of time at home as I did at my regional because of the improved reserve work rules (and I commute to reserve from CA to NYC!). I also make more money now (on 3rd year pay) than I ever would have seen at my regional, plus the company is putting 13% into my retirement without me doing a thing. AND I don't have any Accra or Lagos layovers. I'm also not working for a contract carrier. To each their own, but I think it's a much bigger risk staying at a regional right now than moving on to a major.

Anyway... sorry for the thread creep.

DashDriverYV

It's a job guys, some are happy with it, and some are not. If the senior guy is happy where he is, be thankful. His resume looks a lot better than yours, you don't want to compete with him for the job.

As for retirements in the next 18 months, I would predict that little will change from the current amounts. When 65 resumes, we will see the number posted for sure. Who knows what will happen for hiring. The eternal debate of the pilot shortage will only be answered in time.
I would think however that if we see a rebound in the world economy over the next year and the DOW return to the 14's, retirements will see an uptick. Pilots hanging on will have regained some of the wealth they lost in the crash and would be able to walk away with it.

Cycle Pilot

10 year agreements that were signed a couple years ago. Don't kid yourself. There's less security at the regionals... especially now. The industry is changing and the "fee per departure" will be going away along with a buttload of 50 seat RJ's. I wouldn't call that very secure and was one of the reasons I left my 25% seniority at a good regional to move on to Delta. Anything you do in this industry is a risk, but you need to look at all the facts and take calculated risks.

20kDoLlOrPilot

I agree with this...I know I worked my A$$ off while going there. Paying that kind of money motivated me to do well.

johnso29

Eewwww. Accra. Just stay off the WBs.

As for NYC, you'll hold a line in less then 6 months. No Kew Gardens needed. 17-20 days off a month & 70-80 hours of credit. Funny thing is, I've worked way less on reserve at Delta then I did holding a line at ExpressJet.

Captain Tony

Duvie said it all.

"A bird in hand is worth two in bush". There's no justifiable reason for me to walk away from a fine job now in hopes that I could have a better job in a few years (that is if oil doesn't again hit $150 a barrel sparking more furloughs).

However, if these contracts end, mainline forces the retirement of RJs, or there's some other reason I will have to get a new job, thanks to the massive retirements over the next 10 years, I'll have no problem doing so.

I think I'll take my chances right here until then.