Originally Posted by pitchtrim

I know several from just the past month. Even your basic white guys with nothing special about them, other than they applied.

Originally Posted by Bzzt

I've seen the numbers at AA, the retirements are not "massive" especially not for the next 5 years.

About the 7 year regional pilots, like I've said guys with exceptional qualifications, women, internships, and great recommendations will get people hired well before normal guys.

Originally Posted by 450knotOffice

Well, Bzzt, I'm sorry you're so convinced that most of today's pilots will likely go nowhere in this industry. It's true, things will start somehwhat slowly, but they ARE starting. The pace of hiring will only increase - dramatically - over the years. The factors that caused so many pilots to get stuck at the Regional level for many years (yours truly included) were a recession, then 9/11, then the huge RJ boom, Age 65 (NO forced retirements for five years - ugh), then the housing bubble burst and banking (near) collapse. Personally, I made the best of those years and lived where I wanted to live and enjoyed life to the fullest with my wife and dogs.

Those factors all combined to cause stagnation at the Legacy level for essentially a decade. Yes, this was bad, but I would not call it a permanent situation by any means. Things are turning around and more and more pilots will be hired by the Majors over the years to come, almost certainly at an ever increasing rate.

As has always been said in this industry, the past (heck, the PRESENT) does not reflect the future of this industry. Yes, nothing is certain (is anything ever?), but you may find yourself surprised to be in a position sooner than later to accept a Major Airline pilot position.

Keep your chin up.

Originally Posted by 80ktsClamp

Combine AA, UA, DL, FDX, UPS... even in the next 5 year's it's more movement than we've seen in the last 10 in a very short timespan. DL alone is looking at 600 new bodies in 2014 alone.

But, misery loves company and you're just looking for someone to hang with, right?

I kept a positive attitude, ensured I kept my nose clean, networked well, and spent 3 years at a regional. Not a small number of my peers spent a similar amount of time there as well. Almost half of my newhire class had moved on to the major/legacy level by the 4 year mark. What you put into this career ends up being directly related to what you get out of it.

If you're fine with mediocrity and having a poor attitude, then yes, you are in for a long run at the the lower levels.

Originally Posted by Senior Skipper

Not saying you're bragging, but you're aware that you've been VERY fortunate right? While I'm not discounting the hard work you put in, it seems like you upgraded within 1.5 to 2 years and got out. The majority of the FO's at my company have been here longer than 3 years. Without the PIC time, it is EXTREMELY difficult to move on, despite the best of efforts. If you don't mind, which regional did you work for?

I'll also agree that a positive attitude can make a big difference, but when you're stagnated in the right seat of an RJ, it's difficult to keep smiling.

Originally Posted by Senior Skipper

Got it! 3 years at a regional is ideal IMO.

Originally Posted by Jetdriver7

My close friend spoke with delta in mia at the obapa fair. They wouldn't touch him since no pic time. He was eagle, corporate, currently on a 76 freighter doing long haul and his father is retired delta. Wouldn't touch him with a ten foot pole he said.