drrhythm2

Hey man,

While I understand the motivation behind your idea (and the thought of someone senior to me leaving is appealing) I think looking to jump to another regional right now is foolish. I'm not sure how old you are but I'm in my 30's and if there is one life lesson I learned in my 20's, it's that it's important to reasonably continue down a path you have started, at least long enough to fully understand the ramifications of abandoning it for something that seems just marginally greener. We all want what we want faster, but if the main issue is earning more money, I have another idea for you: start something on the side. Be an entrepreneur. Print little cards calling yourself a "consultant" and figure out something to consult on . Try to write a book. I dunno. Just look at how much money people make here selling flight bags or the guy who twists $0.50 strips of metal into those chart holders and sells them for $15 each. I'm not saying it's easy but instead of taking such a crazy gamble put that energy into a side project. Sell on ebay. Read some books on business ideas. Brainstorm with the wife. Make it a goal to find a way to make and extra $250 next month. Then work upward from there. You might surprise yourself.

My buddy just got a car dealer's license and is buying cars at auctions and selling them online and locally. Turned out to be a lot more work than he first thought but he's making great money doing it.

Just an idea. But you might stumble onto something that could not only bring in extra money in the long run, but give you some protection from relying entirely on this rocky industry.

Floridaflipper

Dude, I'm not sure what you are talking about, but you are way overstating things. I am a 13 year XJT CA. I can get HALF a month off every 3 months, the more senior might be able to stretch that to 3/4 the month off, but even more will end up with only about 2 weeks off for each week of vacation. I don't pick-up trips, commute, and have made low to mid-eightys for the last 3 years.

If you want to make six-figures, you have to give up some days off - period. Living in base is huge as well, but as a commuter, I will stick with a 20 hour commutable 4 day vs pick up that 26 hour 4 day with a 0630 show and 2200 finish.

Bottom line, 4 months with vacation and min guarantee will kill your year end earnings, but the QOL is nice.

Bad-Andy

3 Stripes --

You keep saying that you're looking for long-term stability, and which company offers more long term career prospects. The answer is ... neither of them. While you'll probably fine at either place (since most people want to eventually move on), the reality is any regional is a crap-shoot. Contracts come and go. Bases open and close. Ten years ago XJet looked like it was the "safest" long-term regional. Today, R-Jet looks good. But, that can change in a heartbeat. The regional landscape WILL change again with the next round of consolidation at the majors. It has to. It will be like a game of musical chairs, and someone will get stuck with no seat. I would rather be part way up a seniority list that is growing than at the bottom of a stagnant one.

One other thing that no one has mentioned is that with the AA bankruptcy and potential merger with US Airways, the Republic growth could come to a screaming halt. One thing AA is ready to fight for is scope, and we at US Airways will not give another single airframe. If it becomes more economical for us to operate 190s and drop 175s, the boys in PHX will do it in a heart beat.

Also, the management at Skywest/ASA/XJet may seem bad, but they aren't nearly in the same "dirtball" category as Bedford and the R-Jet team. I can't think of anything good to say about "the Reverend." They are some of the shortest, short-term thinkers in the business. He's all about sucking what money he can get out of the operation, then mark my words, he'll jump ship. There are NO long-term prospects where ever that man is...

Something welse to consider. If you flew for the "equivalent of a major" in the UK, you should be more than qualified to apply at Spirit, Allegiant, VA, or the likes. Any of those would be great careers, all with a heck of a lot more long-term career prospects than R-Jet. Or, if your wife can handle 2 week seperations, look at some of the non-scheds (Atlas, Southern, Connie K, etc). That can be a rough life, but it is a heck of a lot better than any regional (I know having done both). If none of those are what you want, your best bet is to stay put, enjoy the rapid seniority gain (while it lasts), and wait for a major. As EVERY other poster on here said, a lateral move is never good in a seniority based industry. Just my two centavos....

TillerEnvy

I love all the XJT folks on here bragging about how much they are making...I guess that's great if you like the lifer status and love the idea of flying a 145 for the rest of your career.

On that note, stay put. You'll get to continue to fly with the most gifted 145 drivers in the world while we figure out our own contract mess.

Bolo

All of you at XJT please listen to the "King" Tiller Envy lecturing you all. He is jealous that you actually have a decent contract. He is wanting to hold out to get on an Airbus at Frontier, which by the way is not going to happen! I also like how he mocks XJT pilots by saying "most gifted 145 drivers in the world." Pretty arrogant Tiller Envy!

SlowATRDriver

And you are not a lifer? I am sure you like being maxed out at the 4th year pay for the next decade!

Now, if you have class date scheduled with a major, then I take back what I said. Until then, you are a lifer.

JetBlast77

To some people their lives outside of flying are far more important than the aircraft they fly "for the rest of their career". But hey, if being around your family one or two days a week is worth flying that widebody, then knock yourself out.

Nevets

I'd fly a Cessna 150 as a lifer if I was paid the right amount.

xjtguy

I'd fly a freaking kite if it paid enough and I had JS privileges.

MoarAlpha

Who was bragging? The was just saying how much he made. It seemed like a reasonable number considering his senority.