pete2800

Gotcha. In that case, we're in agreement.

OnCenterline

Random thoughts to a few of the recent posts:

Interview prep. I did not get interview prep for 3 interviews. I did, however, study my tail off. I did not get any of the jobs. I did get interview prep for two jobs, and I studied my tail off. I got them both, including with a legacy. Instead of busting John for not prepping, thank him for making you look good.

Paying for hotels in training. It's a tax write-off if nothing else. If you go to Delta (as of today), you are paying for a hotel in training. This isn't limited to the regionals.

QOL. We all define it differently: commuting (or not), pay, schedule, equipment, seat position, etc. To each his own, and to me mine.

Filling classes. The observation about keeping up with attrition is astute. Other points to consider, that most recruiters/HR folks don't share, are: how many are offered jobs vs. actually show up? And can the company not only keep up with attrition, but stay ahead of it?

Chasing upgrades. I tend to agree that chasing an upgrade is pure folly, unless your company is shrinking drastically or closing down. Going smaller is not always better (Trans States, for example, has some lifers). Going to companies with announced deliveries tends to get you there faster. Figure on 10 pilots/plane as the norm (5 each seat).

deltajuliet

I hear this "Don't chase an upgrade" rhetoric a lot, but it seems to come from people hired right before the 2008 recession. When that hit, everybody stagnated, so of course the upgrade didn't work out.

I don't think that's valid now. Sure, there could be an economic downturn due to a dozen different things, and then we're all in the same boat. But until that happens, it's silly to plan your career on the what-ifs. It's smart to plan your career on what's tangibly in front of you. AlaskaBound put it well, 99% of us do seek the most expeditious path to an upgrade in one form or another. And right now, there are several airlines experiencing and forecasting substantial growth. This of course translates to fast upgrades, especially when one considers the hiring spree the majors will embark upon in the next few years.

The simple fact is QOL at any regional is subpar. We're skilled workers, apparently in demand, and none of us feel we should be making under $50,000 a year. But we are, that's just how it is. Unless every pilot at every regional goes on strike in unison, that's not going to change. And that scenario will never happen. So a realist will go where there's perceived flow. They'll get their time and get out.

I'm not here to fix a broken system. There's too much resistance. I'm here to stay the course and get where I want to be. Nobody ever said that would be easy or that life would be fair. The ones who realize that are the ones who will prosper in the long run. Be pragmatic.

AlaskaBound

Well said. A lot of us on here were hired around the 2008, plus or minus a year or so, so we will definitely have a jaded view of upgrades and if we should be chasing it. It didn't work out for us back then so why would it work now? Well, It just might this time. Things are so different than they were just 5-6 years ago. Things are happening ...upgrades, improved QOL, regional captains getting scooped up by the hundreds and soon thousands. There's a ton of movement at a lot of regionals. Now's the time to take advantage of the situation and do what's best for you. If you don't take the risk now then you might miss out and have to sit it out until the next wave. I'm taking this opportunity and running with it. I won't wait another 6 years to move on....especially for an opportunity to move over to the left seat if nothing else.

tunes

how do you write it off?

rickshaw

Most regional bases have a shelf life of a couple years. Good luck trying to nail that one down. Republic, make it 6 mo. Best to assume you'll commute, if you get lucky, catch a break but odds are you'll have to go elsewhere for UPG. Outstation basing is not typically very commuter friendly. Ie 5a show 11pm ends/ day trips.

blaine

We must think differently man. I would never work for a company that made me pay for my own hotel during training and than make me sign a training contract. Trust me, you don't want to be chasing upgrade in the regionals. The industry changes way to fast and often. Good luck!

8ballfreight

Who is canceling the most flights due to "crew"

flynavyj

Things might be very different now, but the "don't chase the upgrade" has been around for years and years.

As someone said, the game changes at the regional level to often, it's unstable and incredibly unstable now that companies are having a hard time filling classes. If you qualify for a direct entry captain at Company B and are still a year + from upgrading at Company A, it might make sense...but all in all, chasing upgrade typically further increases your risk of remaining on year one pay more than upgrading sooner.

OnCenterline

It's a job-related expense required by your employer. Talk to your accountant or follow the prompts in TurboTax.