What is the Life of a Regional Airline Pilot Like?

[TurbineDreamer]

Greetings

Keen to hear about different people's experiences as a regional airline pilot. Do you find it enjoyable, satisfying, financially sufficient to live off and raise a family? Do you find it a job that you would be happy to stay in for the rest of your career?
All information greatly appreciated.

cheers

[Big Kev]

Looks like all the regional pilots are too busy to respond to this one.....kinda says something doesn't it!!

:-)

[Grog Frog]

1) Yes

2) Yes

3) No way

4) Subect to 3) and working partner, Yes

[Hiram K Hackenbacker]

up & down like all aviation jobs :rolleyes:

[John Citizen]

I believe in general working for a Regional is much better than a GA charter job but not as good as a major airline.

There are several factors to consider :
- which airline
- based where
- aircaft you fly
- routes you fly / variety
- amount of overnights
- pay / allowances
- management / the boss / chief pilot
- pilots you fly with / people you work with
- size of company / future opportunities
etc

I myself am a lot happier working for a Regional Airline compared to GA charter.

[Karmakoma]

Rates way way above charter, again very dependent on the company re: equipment, culture, routes, pilot:flying hours ratio.
:)
The pay level is my only downside, I live the lifestyle of a long haul capt. with the paycheck of a regional F/O.:ok:
The rest is awesome go for it!

[tinpis]

:p The pay level is my only downside, I live the lifestyle of a long haul capt.


discuss "lifestyle"


:}

[Hydrolix]

Tinpis, I agree on discussing lifestyle.
Karmakoma, does this mean you fly overseas on 4 or 5 long hauls per month, you know a 14 hour sector to North America, one and a half days off there in a 5 star hotel and then a 15 hour return leg followed by 5 days off at your home port. This is generally the "lifestyle" of a long haul pilot, doesn't sound like a regional airline to me.:\

[Karmakoma]

I live the lifestyle of "a long haul capt" re: the amount of money I spend on having fun on my days off which does not equal my F/O salary:* But I think you two could have actually worked that out all on your own
To be even more blantantly obvious the pay sux! I believe the pay of a long haul captain does not suck as much. :ok: