Originally Posted by
737_Operator
Hi everyone, just after some career advice from a mix of people with different experience as I don't know many ex or current long haul people. I know people will tell me it all depends what I want out of life and a career but at this stage I'm not sure exactly what at I want and I want to think closely about the options I am considering.
I am a current 737 FO with about 1200hrs on type, flying for J2 at a regional base. I feel well treated by the company and the lifestyle is working for me as a 20 something year old with no children yet. I will soon have the opportunity to leave if I want to, or I could stay and in 4-6 years time be looking at a command here. If I did that I'd like to look into training and various other roles in the future to keep the job interesting although I know that will add lifestyle complications too.
If I leave, the only realistic options in the UK are BA or VA. I wouldn't move to another SH operator as I'd rather stay where I am. Moving to either LH operator would probably mean living closer to Heathrow as I currently enjoy a 15 minute commute into work and a long commute could be a lifestyle issue, although I'm keen to hear the thoughts of those who work out of LHR. Another option is the ME but on the whole it seems that is not a long term career option for most. I do like the idea of seeing the world and flying the big machines but I wonder what living out a suitcase would actually be like in the long run, and how it would affect family life.
For me this boils down to, would I be missing out if I don't try to make a LH move? If so, I understand the earlier I move the better it will be eventually. Or is it a case of the grass is not always greener and a SH career, getting an early command and doing different roles after that also a good career option? I'd be grateful for views from people with either SH or LH experience and what they have gotten out of their careers.
Hi there,
You are young hence invest in your future. Move to a legacy like BA and climb the ladder, time is on on your side. Before you know it you’ll be on the a senior FO and hopefully one day a senior Capt. with all that follows. Sure it might take longer to get a LHS there than many LCC (honestly I don’t know how it works at BA tbh so I could be wrong on this) but in the long run you’ll have much more stability and diversity of operation than flying up and down Europe 5 days in a row.
My 2c.