Regional Airlines in the U.S.

 

Very often in the U.S. and also other parts of the world, your first job as an airline pilot will be with a regional airline.  They provide essential service, especially to er cities. In the U.S, for example, regional airlines provide 49% of the country’s scheduled flights.  Some 500 U.S. cities — 74% of all airline-served airports — offer service only from regional airlines. Without a doubt, regional airlines provide essential air service. And as a new first officer, you will learn much flying for a regional airline.

 

To give you a better idea of the scope of these airlines currently operating, there are 58 regional airlines in the U.S. alone. The total  U.S. passengers enplaned is 161 million people annually. Each year American regional airlines complete nearly 5 million take-offs (and, of course, another 5 million landings!).  The average passenger trip is nearly 500 miles.

 

The president of Empire Airlines, one of the U.S. regional airlines, identified his top challenges for the industry in 2012 in a recent aviation publication: A most important challenge is recruiting and retaining quality employees….that means pilots, as well as mechanics and management. Sean Menke, president and CEO of Pinnacle Airlines also indicated one of the industry challenges is planning for the impact of pilot shortages caused by retirements at the mainline carriers.

 

Dave Busy, president of Cape Air, said in the same article that “attracting talented employees, especially pilots and technicians. 

 

However, let’s get serious. Aviation and becoming an airline pilot might be your dream, but the reality is you need training — and excellent training, if you want that airline job.  Rather than “dream” about it, why not find out if you have what it takes to wear that pilot’s uniform?  See www.pea.com. Contact an admissions officer at Phoenix East Aviation (as easy as filling out an information form) and get the details.