>>1349423If your goal is the pax majors, just know it's better to get a job at a 121 LLC like Allegiant, Sun Country, Spirit, Frointer, etc. Why, because if/when the economy tanks, you'll be not stuck at a dead end regional, barring you've been furloughed. If you're a pile of doghsit who can't interview, all those companies have good top end pay scales, where you'll be able to live a good life compared to your peers who can't interview and are still stuck as a regional captain. There's nothing wrong with being at an intermediate airline, and if you're senior enough there you'll be sitting pretty if the economy tanks vs your regional buddies.
If the same applies to you but for cargo instead, I'd recommend swapping from your Atlas or Southern to Kalitta, it's a much better airline with a better contract. You hear about guys leaving Atlas all the time to go to FDX and UPS, yet why are there so many of those guys left at Atlas? It's not as good as you'd be led to believe in this industry, don't hold out of the land of milk and honey, the point is get a livable job you could see staying for life at, and keep other apps open for if and when that time comes.
Also, if/when you hit the regionals, if you get a R-ATP for any reason (under 23, not enough XC, waiver) be sure to upgrade it to a full ATP at your local FSDO whenever your hours/age allow for it. It'll give you much more job mobility if/when you want to apply elsewhere, otherwise your regional won't upgrade your ATP to unrestricted until you upgrade to Captain.
I'm not saying my advice is for everyone, but I'm not happy where I am and I highly encourage people to seek out places to work long term, or even a place to stay for life, instead of sucking it up for years hoping for a call. Don't be like me, and every other scum sucker waiting for a call and trading my life away. If I could leave this industry I would, but like everyone else, I've invested too much and I can't leave. Good luck.
