I assume this being a helicopter pilot site that the people here are established as helicopter pilots and contemplating a career change. Currently airplanes afford better prospects for a young person, or someone changing careers from sometching non aviatiin related. But if you are an established mid career helicopter pilot with a GOM or HEMS job, as I assume many of the people here are, it's going to be a pretty big sacrifice in regards to quality of life for a long time to go FO at a regional. Part 135 flying is going to likely come with a pretty hefty pay cut. Corporate helicopter flying, overseas contract, and probably much of the utility sector, you probably won't see that kind of money until you make Captain at a major airline. Don't know why people what to crucify someone for telling them the truth about what sacrifices they may have to make and some of the expenses they may not have considered. I for example at the time thought employee parking at the airport meant airline employees could park there. I found out you can't get a badge unless you are specifically domiciled at that base, even if your airline has a domicile there, if you aren't assigned there, can't park in the employee lot. If I didnt want to pay for the long term lot, I had to get my wife to drive me three hours round trip if available. I wound up paying for parking monthly at a private lot near the airport where I could take public transportation the rest of the way. No one tells you this stuff. Nothing is different now. You will commute sooner or later and commuting incurs expenses. I didn't fly for American Eagle back then but they most often gave new hires LaGuardia or Puerto Rico. The most difficult bases for commuting to the guys that could least afford it.
S-76 and AW-139 jobs are no longer just for high timers. One company in the GOM was sending pilots for upgrade after only a few months in a 407. May not stay that way, but that is what is going on now.
Discussing the realities of a job is not being negative. To make big money in airplanes means you have to be away from home, a lot. Quality of life can't help but suffer. That has always been the case with airline pilots, no sense in anyone denying it. There aren't many one day out and back trips in a 777 or a Gulfstream. A lot of helicopter jobs have a person home every day such as HEMS or Corporate, or for extended periods, such as 7 days, 14 Days such as the GOM, or 6 weeks for jobs in Africa and the Middle East. Utility is a different story but those guys typically get more money for being away extended periods.
Did you go fixed wing? Any surprises along the way?
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