Does Flying for Regionals really suck?
11-10-2006, 06:09 AM
#21
The NeverEnding Story
Joined APC: Sep 2005
Posts: 7,618
There are plenty of regional pilots that essentially fly part-time, and make their real money with a side business (real estate, insurance, consulting, financial planning, etc). The key to this would be go somewhere with work rules that allows for easy dropping and/or manipulation of trips. It would also be important to find a company with bases near your home if you cannot or don't want to relocate.
The people I know that have 2 careers have lots of cash but work their asses off, and come to think of it many of them are in their late 20s-early 30s and single.
Your mileage may vary.
The people I know that have 2 careers have lots of cash but work their asses off, and come to think of it many of them are in their late 20s-early 30s and single.
Your mileage may vary.
11-10-2006, 10:01 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2006
Position: rj 700/900
Posts: 506
I would trade you in a second! flying a cirrus with my friends/family vs. a rj on specific headings and alt. with the autopilot on? Look its fun for the first 2 days, then it becomes very monotonous. At the end of the day, no sense of accomplishment/fulfillment. If you put all the time and training that you will have to do to get into an rj, into your business, Ill bet you could buy a nice used citation.
11-11-2006, 05:21 PM
#23
La Familia Delta
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Position: B-717 FO / C-17 AC
Posts: 2,467
there is a lot of good info in this thread... SkyHigh im curious as to why youre such a big participator in these forums if you truly hate the industry? sure your successful and have your own business etc, but if you still spend time on these boards, then something must be missing from your life. I dont mean that in a negative way, but it seems to me that a big part of you wishes you didnt pass this up.
This is an exciting time to go to the regionals. For years management at most companies have been able to rape their pilots but now the tables are turning with the majors hiring and a lot of companies not being able to keep up with attrition. work rules are going to improve, unions will have the upper hand at the table, and youll see a lot of respect come back to this once great profession... a lot of you naysayers wont agree, but im willing to make this interesting with a wager
This is an exciting time to go to the regionals. For years management at most companies have been able to rape their pilots but now the tables are turning with the majors hiring and a lot of companies not being able to keep up with attrition. work rules are going to improve, unions will have the upper hand at the table, and youll see a lot of respect come back to this once great profession... a lot of you naysayers wont agree, but im willing to make this interesting with a wager
11-11-2006, 05:27 PM
#24
Banned
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: A-320
Posts: 6,929
I agree we are all in at a great time. SKYHIGH is bitter because he left the industry and no matter how much money he makes everytime he steps foot on an airlienr he gets sick to hiss stomach becuas ehe gave up, he sold out, why else would he spend so much time posting on an website that is called AIRLINEPILOTCENTRAL. Think about it, he has to live with regret for the rest of his life.
11-11-2006, 06:58 PM
#25
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 40,390
There are plenty of regional pilots that essentially fly part-time, and make their real money with a side business (real estate, insurance, consulting, financial planning, etc). The key to this would be go somewhere with work rules that allows for easy dropping and/or manipulation of trips. It would also be important to find a company with bases near your home if you cannot or don't want to relocate.
The people I know that have 2 careers have lots of cash but work their asses off, and come to think of it many of them are in their late 20s-early 30s and single.
Your mileage may vary.
The people I know that have 2 careers have lots of cash but work their asses off, and come to think of it many of them are in their late 20s-early 30s and single.
Your mileage may vary.
Same reason that pro sports alumni can get high-end financial planning jobs.
11-12-2006, 06:52 AM
#26
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: TRYING TO STAY AWAKE
Posts: 70
Dont do it
I'm tired of looking at the 35yr old FO doing his walk around on the rj with the kool-aid mustache. This is a job for me, and there isn't a second income from my previous job or rich wife. If it is just FUN for you than fly your circus around and file IFR from IAH to LGA. But don't bring the bar down because the money isn't important to you. I don't mean to be spiteful or sound jealous (i am) but stay were you are. I work for Colgan and you will never see those bases for a long time, besides the fact of getting beaten down in either the saab or beech with hardly any work rules. Looking from the outside in seem's all rosey colored and i will admit i think most of us are guilty of the same crime but trust us in saying its not all that.
11-12-2006, 10:07 AM
#27
Line Holder
Thread Starter
Joined APC: Oct 2006
Posts: 59
Thanks everyone for all the great responses. I have been lurking on this site for a long time and I do see that Colgan is a great place to start a career but not stay. I actually have talked to several PDT captains and I think that is the airline I would like to fly for if I do sell my business. I love the Dash 8 which I love flying on as a passenger. However, I heard unless you go to UND/Purdue/Riddle, you need to have 1500TT with 500multi. I have 1000TT and no multi yet. From what I have heard PDT has a better QOL than a place like Colgan. Just my thoughts from what I have heard so far. Thanks again for the great info.
11-12-2006, 10:36 AM
#28
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,242
I'm tired of looking at the 35yr old FO doing his walk around on the rj with the kool-aid mustache. This is a job for me, and there isn't a second income from my previous job or rich wife. If it is just FUN for you than fly your circus around and file IFR from IAH to LGA. But don't bring the bar down because the money isn't important to you. I don't mean to be spiteful or sound jealous (i am) but stay were you are. I work for Colgan and you will never see those bases for a long time, besides the fact of getting beaten down in either the saab or beech with hardly any work rules. Looking from the outside in seem's all rosey colored and i will admit i think most of us are guilty of the same crime but trust us in saying its not all that.
Is that like the rookie cop mustache?
-LAFF
11-12-2006, 10:58 AM
#30
Che Guevara
Joined APC: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,408
Working for others bites on any level. Just keep your business and forget about it. Perhaps in a few years if you can't stop yourself you could get any regional or commuter job that you can. Stick with it for three to six months till you wake up to how awful it really is and then quit. Whatever you do don't throw away a good income for this.
If you have enough money to afford your own plane then you are already far ahead of the game. Why risk what you already have for a life of indentured servitude?
It is all relative. Some broke CFI's will enjoy a one to three year honeymoon once they reach a regional only to realize that they have been duped. My guess is that you wouldn't be happy working 21 days a month and earning 20K. Often airline pilots are in such a deep state of denial that they only look at the very best case situations. The reality is that most are working their tails off for peanuts and are gone most of the time and are dead tired the rest.
On top of all that the flying is about as much fun as watching paint dry. If you don't believe me then try sitting in front of MS flight Simulator for 6 hours strait during a level flight across country. Do that for three days strait then you will begin to get the idea.
SkyHigh
If you have enough money to afford your own plane then you are already far ahead of the game. Why risk what you already have for a life of indentured servitude?
It is all relative. Some broke CFI's will enjoy a one to three year honeymoon once they reach a regional only to realize that they have been duped. My guess is that you wouldn't be happy working 21 days a month and earning 20K. Often airline pilots are in such a deep state of denial that they only look at the very best case situations. The reality is that most are working their tails off for peanuts and are gone most of the time and are dead tired the rest.
On top of all that the flying is about as much fun as watching paint dry. If you don't believe me then try sitting in front of MS flight Simulator for 6 hours strait during a level flight across country. Do that for three days strait then you will begin to get the idea.
SkyHigh
You know I'm starting to believe that SkyHigh is another name for someone on the board who just like to play the Devil's advocate.
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