Janvi,
Thanks for the blue skies and tailwinds; however, I’m late to seeing this, I had a 100-knot headwind westbound at 36,000’ this morning. 
Brady
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omgg that’s strong headwind! hope you get nice tailwind on your next flight. 
Janvi,
First I would consider airlines with bases in the Bay Area. Then if you get a base like SFO, consider driving first. Jumpseating and non-rev agreements also go based off seniority. So being a junior regional airline pilot, if there are available seats you’ll most definitely be on the bottom of the list.
For example, you have a noon report time. You could either make the 2 hour drive, leaving home at say 9:30am getting there about 11:30am all in your control. Or you could try flying… quick flight right? Well at a minimum you need 2 flights, a primary and a backup. The first flight is at 7:30am and the second is at 9:15am. The third flight is 10:45 and get you in later than report time so you go with the earlier two options. Now you’re leaving your house at 6am to make a 7:30 flight instead of staying in your living room until 9:30am and driving. Plus this example doesn’t take in to account weather or mechanic delays or even seat availability and where you are on the list…See the point we’re making here?
Hannah
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Sam,
You can expect to be on reserve as a new hire. How long you stay on reserve depends movement. Are new hires coming in after you? If so, you can expect to serve a few weeks or months until you’re seniority number can hold a line while the new hires going in behind you fill the reserve slots. Now if there isn’t any hiring then there isn’t any movement so you stay on reserve until more movement happens. For some, that has been years! It really just depends on your timing and the hiring climate at the time.
As for pay, regional airline pay is the best it’s ever been! You’ll be making $90/hr right out of the gate with yearly raises.
Hannah
Hi hannah, Thank you for your message! I understand that living at base definitely seems more convenient than commuting, especially when considering Bay Area traffic. On top of that, The idea of dealing with unpredictable flight schedules and relying on standby seats as a junior pilot adds extra stress too.
As Hannah mentioned, how long you stay on reserve depends heavily on how quickly your base grows. It is also affected by how “desirable” reserve is based on the specific airline contract. When I joined my airline, I was told it would take about 2-4 months to hold my desired base, and then another 2-4 months to hold a line. I was able to hold my base one month after I finished my Initial Operating Experience training, and could hold a line two months after that because our base was growing so fast. The reason I said “could” is because I intentionally bid reserve for the next 4-5 months and was getting the reserve lines I wanted. I live 45-60 minutes door to jetbridge away from my airport, which gave me plenty of time to get ready and make it to work on time if I was called in. Bidding reserve, I was able to have stable Mon-Thur AM reserve periods for the entire month, having all my weekends off. Then our new contract rules kicked in that made reserve more desirable and it went senior, and I could no longer hold weekday AM, so I started bidding regular lines.
So, you see, how fast you can hold a line varies from airline to airline and from base to base. And even then it depends on factors like time of the year.
Can I interrupt you to ask an off-topic question? I know that pilots can only work 100 hours per month. That’s about 2 weeks per month. The question is: does the pilot choose the days he will work or only when you are senior? Like, can the pilot choose to work two weeks at once and take two weeks off if he wants?
Thank you.
Anderson,
You’re correct that pilots can only fly 100hrs per month but there are many more rules that govern when and how much a pilot can fly. These are listed in FAR (Federal Aviation Regulations) Part 117. It’s not as if you can fly 100hrs straight and then be done. There are daily and weekly limits as well.
That said it is possible to manipulate your schedule to have half the month off but as with everything at the airlines, you need the seniority to do it.
Adam
Anderson,
Here is the exact regulation you’re looking for in regard to how many hours a pilot may flight day, week, month, year, etc.:
While it is possible to move your schedule around, you will still have regulations that are behind the scenes that limit the possibilities. Almost every airline in the US has contractual agreements that you have a minimum of 12 days off a month.
Brady
Anderson,
I try to stack my trips up so that I only have to make the three hour drive into work as few times as possible per month. That being said, the most we can really work in a row is six days. Sometimes we can stretch it to more days, but that is tough to do and requires a certain combination of overnight lengths.
Chris
Just wanted you all to know that I had my discovery flight today and loved every second of it.
Best,
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Sam,
That is great! So what is next for you?
Chris
Sam,
Love hearing this! Like Chris, what’s the next step for you? Are you sold on the idea of becoming a pilot, do you want to do a few more flights?
Brady
Next step is to get the medical exam done. I’ll try to get that scheduled this week.
My instructor also provided me with links to material that I can study prior to starting the program.
I’m committed but might potentially take another discovery flight just to get more experience.
Sam,
I think there is nothing at all wrong with another discovery flight, just to help solidify your thoughts on making this leap. Just remember that even though it is your second flight, it is only your second flight and you likely will not fly any better or worse than you did the first flight. Just enjoy it and do not put too much pressure on yourself.
Chris
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Sam,
I’m with Chris here, it never hurts to get back in and do a few more… in fact, I recommend it. The flight time is loggable, and counts towards the 1,500 hour. Be sure to have an instructor signing off the lessons for you.
Brady
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Sam,
I flew 17 hours before completing deciding to quit my job and commit to this new path to becoming an airline pilot. Take the time you need and pursue the clarity you need.
Hannah
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Nice. When are you planning to start?
Sam,
Nice picture! I hope the next one we get is a solo picture. 
Brady