[av8rwyf]

That is a really tough question. Everyone's experience is different I believe. DH started w/ Piedmont (US Air Express) in '99 and in '03 he started w/ ATA (LCC out of MDW). He got furloughed last year and went back to the old charter company he worked for before he got on w/ Piedmont. Then on 10/06 he started w/ AirTran. So, just b/c you get to the majors doesn't mean that you'll stay there. There can be alot of up and down. 9/11 really threw this industry in a tailspin!

It is all about TIMING and WHO you know in this business. DH got in at a rough time that puts him right on the edge of furloughs. The guys (and gals) coming up after him may have a smoother transition now that the airlines seemed to be rebounding from 9/11.

I dont know if any of this makes sense but the bottom line is that there is no set time frame for making it to the majors. You just have to be persistant, pay your dues, and don't burn ANY bridges!