what to do...

[BE20 Driver]

I am currently flying a 704 machine as a captain. The company I work for is pretty good. Can't complain much about the pay or treatment at all. A regional outfit called the other day for an interview. I should be thrilled but I'm supposed to be taking an airplane overseas for a few months in another week or so. The timing isn't great and may preclude me from jumping through all their hoops before I leave.

I'm making about twice what the regional outfit pays. If I do some more of this overseas work for my company, I'll probably be close to 3 times the starting pay.

Right now if you ask me what my goal is, I would probably say to fly for AC (likely wouldn't turn down WJ, Transat, Canjet, ...) So I'm trying to figure out what to do in the meantime - the regional outfit is a good place to work. Doesn't pay well at first but good union and benefits. The other option I see is to do a year or so at a company like Voyageur and make $100k+ and have some money to live on while I take a huge chunk out of my mortgage. After a year or so, make the jump, fully ready to AC and their wonderful pay scale.

Before anyone jumps all over me, I will definitely follow through with the regional guy and see how far I get.

Anyone have any constructive advice on how to play this out?

FYI...3500TT, 1500 PIC, 1000 MPIC over 12500

[fish4life]

I would say if your happy and seem to be treated well where you are I would probably stay since you don't plan on making a career out of the regional airline flying anyway. You seem to have the type of experience AC is hiring guys with so why not try and wait for the call for a bit from them.

[KAG]

BE20, man does that sound like me about 6 years ago. I was flying for Borek, just finished an over seas contract, Jazz called and I knew I had to take it for my career, but I really didn't want to. I did and don't regret it as things worked out much better then I thought they would- I'm typing this beside my wife (Jazz FA) and 3'month old daughter. I now work for WJ, and things are pretty sweet.

That said I was glad to have done some fun contracts up north and abroad. Although I didn't rocket to the airlines like I planned I ended up taking the scenic route and I now enjoy my job (I think) that much more.

You want AC, you can get there from a 704 machine. Everyone talks about how much they would jump at an overseas contract,'but few do. I cherish my time abroad even though it didn't do much for my resume.

I guess it boils down to where you are in your life, what is more important to you and if you have family obligations.

Good luck. Either way really it's win win.

[mbav8r]

BE20, you should consider the fact that not all applicants make it to AC. Myself, I would base my decision on where would I like to be if AC doesn't call or I don't make it through. There is potential at AC right now for the hiring machine to break down while over 60 pilots are accomodated. You may be happy where you are for another year, but what if it's years?

[KAG]

BE20, something else to consider, if you work overseas and are employeed by a Canadian company, you get overseas tax credit - up to 80% of your taxes back, just don't fly here in Canada for at least 6 months.

MB has a good point. AC may never call, or they stop hiring for a few years. Where do YOU want to be bidding your time.

[BE20 Driver]

I agree with all of the opinions above.

I know I am not guaranteed anything at AC (or that I'll even make it through the Jazz process). I plan to go ahead with the hiring process and see where it gets me.

I see my career like climbing a mountain. All the paths will get you to the top. Some faster than others, some easier than others. Jazz is definitely a good place to park myself if none of the bigger operators come calling.

I started the Jazz application when I was making less money than Jazz pays and being treated like crap. I've made it though the worst part of anyone's aviation career and am just starting to earn a good living and am being treated well. Part of me says I should enjoy life a little before going back to watching every penny for a few years. I do have young kids and it's nice to be able to do put them into sports or clubs without worrying about whether we have enough money for it this month. Also working overseas for even a year will let me pay down all of my other debt thus making the transition to the lower salary much easier.

With the time that I have, I'm not surprised that AC hasn't called yet. That said, another year or so of steady hiring and regular flying on my part, I should be in the ball park of what they are looking for. Hiring could stop tomorrow - or the LCC could become a go and there could be 450 new hires next month. Who knows.

[BE20 Driver]

Their sim dates are not very convenient so it may come down to not being in the country when they're doing evals.

[loopa]

Lifestyle, Lifestyle, Lifestyle, repeat that an infinite amount of times again. Chase the lifestyle, not the type of flying. Overseas flying may be great, but regional flying may suit what you want more. Overseas pay could be great while regional pay could suck for a few years.

Weed out the pro's and con's and see which one gives you the better lifestyle. Stick to that one - especially since you're no longer in it to chase the big iron.

Best of luck!

[BE20 Driver]

That's the thing. I'm coming up with a draw.

I can probably handle a 2/2 rotation for another year or two tops. The lifestyle at the company I currently work for is not bad at all. Management is good to me.

The way I see it, everything comes down to half the pay, slightly better lifestyle vs 2-3 times the pay and keep doing rotations. Jazz benefits would be nice but at my current company I can afford vacations and toys, RRSP's, RESP's (not to mention brand name kraft dinner)

[KAG]

Short term pain long term gain. Your going to have to take the cut at some point, or get used to a lifestyle And price yourself out of the market.

[loopa]

I agree with KAG, though, it might be easier when you have a dependant free life? When kids move on and etc?

[flyinhigh]

be200.

I am at Jazz, just coming up to my 5 year anny. Coming here was also for me a huge decision, now the best decision I've made. I love it here. The pay as well with our Contract last year is actually not that bad now. A 5 year FO pay is just shy 60K plus about 10K in perdiems.(yes I know this is not salary, but I sure don't eat 10K in food on the road a year).

For where I am at in life its great, I have a 2 year old, wife is pregnent with our 2nd. My lifestyle is everything. I work 13 days on ave a month and bid ywg layovers to be home with my family, go camping hunting fishing whatever. The thing is, if I feel like going over seas, I book a travel pass and go. Thats the beauty, Jazz is not everyones career company but we have amazing benefits that makes it a place to call home for a career.

Whatever decision you make, enjoy it and dont look back saying I should have done this or that.

Merry Christmas

[KAG]

Congrats on #2!!!

[BTyyj]

Something to consider is that you'll have to change your username

[BE20 Driver]

I have not been flying a king air for some time now. I don't feel the need to change handles every time I change planes though.

Unfortunately, I think this is now out of my control. We are expecting a baby and if I went there now, I would not have the requisite seven months in. I would not be able to take any parental leave. I guess it will mean putting off the move and maybe hoping to get on with Westjet express when they start up.

[KAG]

Hey Congrats on the little one!!!
It's a life changing experience, one for the better. We have a 5 month old and it's awesome. I'll admit I miss sleep though
Enjoy every minute of this and when your ready then go get the job.

Good luck, have fun

[BE20 Driver]

Thanks. This ain't my first rodeothough. Third actually. No sleep is considered normal in my household. Likely will be the way of life for another few years.
Unfortunately the timing of this changes my plans. My current employer will give me a few months off at full pay and if I go to Jazz, I am not elegible for any time off. Maybe I'll hold my breath and hope to get into WJ Regional when I come back from parental leave.