Airline Guys Question

Ok, so you playing chess or checkers?
Because the only thing you can bank on month after month bank is what's in your CBA, a bonus is at the whim of "the management".
 
Ok, so you playing chess or checkers?
Because the only thing you can bank on month after month bank is what's in your CBA, a bonus is at the whim of "the management".

I can also quit, if they decide to stop paying me. I don't see your point here.
 
Not that any of this matters - we all know James won't ever stoop to flying 121. :p

Neither will I, but it is more about age, quality of life and comfort level now.

When I went sniffing into the regional world years ago the FO salary was a significant pay cut for me that I was not willing to take.

I also started flying for a living in my late 30s, and that had a lot to do with my decisions. The airline world has changed a lot since then and if I was in my mid 20s now I would probably not hesitate to jump in the pool.
 
I can also quit, if they decide to stop paying me. I don't see your point here.

Guess if you're a nomad living in a RV that's cool, just sucks to bother showing up for a job with that much of a lack of stability.
 
Guess if you're a nomad living in a RV that's cool, just sucks to bother showing up for a job with that much of a lack of stability.
Lack of stability? Explain further. Regionals are not exactly in the position right now to offload their workforce. The job is as stable as it’s been in years.

Not sure why you have such an axe to grind with this topic. Most 121’s have upped their game offering 50k-60k first year FO salary. Who cares whether or not half of it comes from retention bonuses. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t care where my salary comes from, as long as I get what’s been accrued and earned legally by me.

Cousin flies for Trans States. Her 1st FO year salary was enough to make a decent living off of. Far better than her 1st year FO pay at Comair. Shows that the industry is (dare I say) improved.
 
Lack of stability? Explain further. Regionals are not exactly in the position right now to offload their workforce. The job is as stable as it’s been in years.

Not sure why you have such an axe to grind with this topic. Most 121’s have upped their game offering 50k-60k first year FO salary. Who cares whether or not half of it comes from retention bonuses. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t care where my salary comes from, as long as I get what’s been accrued and earned legally by me.

Cousin flies for Trans States. Her 1st FO year salary was enough to make a decent living off of. Far better than her 1st year FO pay at Comair. Shows that the industry is (dare I say) improved.

Don't mix salary with salary plus bonus which can be removed

And I for sure have a axe to grind, for better or worse the airlines to set the pace somewhat for other aspects of aviation pay wise, and cheap whore pilots are why it's hard for us to have nice things lol


If stability is what you want, aviation is not for you. Look at the GE guys.

How so?

Plenty of places to fly where you got a good chance of having your job for as long as you want it.
 
Neither will I, but it is more about age, quality of life and comfort level now.

Yeah, everyone's circumstances are different. Lots of ways to skin the cat - airlines are just one of them.
 
Working the French fry machine at McDonalds paid more than Comair FOs.
Yeah it was pathetic. Fortunately for her, the airline bought her out when they seized operations. CFI’d for awhile and now rejoined the game a couple of years back. Happier now, from what I hear.

As for James, I’m not going to beat a dead horse. More can be said, but I’ll leave it at that.
 
Hey I worked Mickie Dees French fry pit, and at the regionals. I'll take the regionals and flying any day.
 
Last edited:
I can see why a lot of people are hesistant making the move to 121. Less than 10 years ago, a lot of it was awful. I was lucky enough to get in at a really good time. Pay is good, I’ll be a captain at 24 years old, a guaranteed interview at a legacy, 15-20 days off a month (although that will change in a few months once I upgrade). In a little over a year and half at my airline, I really have nothing to complain about. I wouldn’t trade it for any other job.
 
I can see why a lot of people are hesistant making the move to 121. Less than 10 years ago, a lot of it was awful. I was lucky enough to get in at a really good time. Pay is good, I’ll be a captain at 24 years old, a guaranteed interview at a legacy, 15-20 days off a month (although that will change in a few months once I upgrade). In a little over a year and half at my airline, I really have nothing to complain about. I wouldn’t trade it for any other job.
Do you flow up to mainline or do you have to interview?
 
This! If it was CRj200 (50 seats) operating on one pack (a/c) will not cool the cabin, plus no flow. The CRJ 700 & 900 vastly improved and can cool better if one pack deferred. Mainline jets should be similar.
Yes you are correct and if it's the right pack out on a 200 it will be hot as "well" you know since the left pack air goes 75 per cent to the cockpit to cool the tubes and only 25 per cent goes to the paying passengers. In that case while you toasting rest assured the pilots are keeping their cool. :)
 
Do you flow up to mainline or do you have to interview?
No flow. Delta will never do one. We get a guaranteed interview after 2 years as captain as long as we meet all of Delta’s minimum hiring requirements.
 
The only regionals I’m aware of at this point in time that are no interview and a true flow is the American wholly owned carriers (PSA, Envoy, Piedmont)no interview required your number comes up in seniority order, if AA is hiring, off you go.
 
I missed out on the only one to ever exist for delta. My buddy is a captain there now. Hindsight is 20/20
For sure! Who would have thought in 2017 Delta would have one of the quickest upgrades in the industry.
 
For sure! Who would have thought in 2017 Delta would have one of the quickest upgrades in the industry.
He’s been at delta for five years now. Yeah. It was a huge mistake not going to compass when I had the chance. I could be making twice what I make now. I like my current job. The flying is in many ways more rewarding but for twice the cash and better retirement benefits I could make that airline deal work. Probably missed my only chance at a seat with a major. I could go to a WO American regional. even if everything worked out I would be moved up to mainline around 45 giving me twenty years at American after 6-7 years of purgatory. Not sure it’s worth the gamble.
 
@Tarheelpilot the hiring hasn't really begun at the majors, it's just starting. Go regional for a year or two, get picked up. American has the most retirements projected in the next 10 years from what I read.
 
He’s been at delta for five years now. Yeah. It was a huge mistake not going to compass when I had the chance. I could be making twice what I make now. I like my current job. The flying is in many ways more rewarding but for twice the cash and better retirement benefits I could make that airline deal work. Probably missed my only chance at a seat with a major. I could go to a WO American regional. even if everything worked out I would be moved up to mainline around 45 giving me twenty years at American after 6-7 years of purgatory. Not sure it’s worth the gamble.
Yea you never know. I bet some of the Mesaba guys who decided to stay put instead of going to NWA are kicking themselves now. But like you said, hindsight 20/20. AA is retiring a rediculous amount starting in a few years. Even if you get there by 45, I’d imagine you’d retire at a pretty good seniority.
 
@Tarheelpilot the hiring hasn't really begun at the majors, it's just starting. Go regional for a year or two, get picked up. American has the most retirements projected in the next 10 years from what I read.
Sounds nice but I’m not the most competitive street hire for a major. No degree, not prior military and almost a decade of work flying way outside the parameters of 121. Not sure how likely it is I’d be hired. Would most likely end up camped out waiting for flow.
 
Back
Top