Fetzervalve

Plenty of regionals hiring that will give you more options. These days it is easier to find regionals with better equipment, decent pay and domiciles near your preferred location.

Super27

Absolutely true. But it comes down to a lifestyle choice. I don't care how good the pay is at a regional - it's still a regional. You will still be working crap schedules, flying to a lot of crap places, staying in crap hotels, eating crap food in airports, carrying around a feed bag because you can only afford one crappy airport meal per day and the motels you stay in won't have restaurants anyway, and basically being the bottom of the food chain when it comes to the overall operation at any airport.

I'm in no way denying the opportunities that regionals offer for many pilots. But comparing a regional to EAS isn't comparing apples to apples. I generally work no more than 2-3 legs per day. I get to fly to some decent places, and occasionally get lucky enough to spend several days there. While the regional crew is still standing in the rain waiting on the LaQuinta van, I'm already enjoying the free open bar at the Embassy Suites that I drove to in my company-paid rental car. I'm also never reaching for my own money to pay for a meal, nor do I have to worry about packing a feed bag and trying to snag a room with a microwave at the hotel. EAS is far from perfect, but this side of the industry offers far more lifestyle perks than the regionals ever will.

mojo6911

Also, their entire fractional fleet consists of single pilot aircraft.

Crap schedules? 12/3 is good? Every regional in the country offers a better schedule. Crap food? Per diem at most regionals is on par with $15/meal at EAS. Crap hotels? Pretty much the same. I've stayed at various levels of hotels and motels throughout the country. Embassy Suites is pretty much the same as most La Quintas countrywide. Open bar? I would guess that most regional pilots can afford a sixer at the 7-11 for $7.

There was a time where I would have killed for an FO slot at EAS. I got shot down in 2013, and honestly, I am glad I did. I've made way more money and logged way more valuable time since I got the denial letter.

FlyingPirate

I think it is unfair to everyone reading this thread to listen to someone talk about a company that said individual has not even been employed at. Most of your points are valid but those who actually know what EAS is about should be the only individuals offering up their experiences.

rant over.

Kritchlow

Just out of curiosity, seeing as though you started the comparison, have you worked at the regionals?

FlyingPirate

I don't think I started the comparison but yes I did spend 3 years at a regional and I carried a large cooler filled with food every single trip. The good thing was that I lost 40 pounds doing it.

Since you asked for a comparison:

I wasn't defending either path. Pretty much any entry level pilot job sucks. There really isn't a "best" path to you ultimate career position. Some people made up their minds a long time ago that they would never work for a regional and that's ok. Others have long had a dream to fly for an airline and typically the regionals are the place to go. If i was starting all over again in this job market I would go to a regional. Upgrade times are looking better than ever at the regionals and compared to EAS, you will have almost 2x as much time off. At a regional you can be in control of your schedule by swapping trips or days, droppping trips or days, or picking up trips if you are looking for more money or flight time. Plus you will always be guaranteed 10-13 days off a month and a regional with the ability to manipulate the schedule for more. EAS can only guarantee 6 days off in a month; and on those 6 days you'll probably be asked to fly for bonus. I was fortunate enough to enjoy the flight benefits too and on several occasions i could work my schedule to get 2-3 weeks off in a row without using a single vacation day. At EAS you have absolutely no control over your schedule. You willbe put on a 12-3 without the ability to move your hard days around and if you need just 1 day off for sonething like a birthday you will be using a vacation day to guarantee it off.

For me QOL is more important when I am at home than it is while on the road. With that said; EAS has the best pilot group around which truly does make being on the road for extended periods a lot more bearable, I couldn't say the same about the regionals. Also, I don't do as many 4am wake ups at EAS as I did at the regionals.

USMCFLYR

Well this just went over the seawall!

Super27

I guess what I was referring to was the schedule when you're actually out on a trip. Regional airlines design pairings to keep you flying as much as possible. 4-6 legs and long duty days are the rule, not the exception.

Your math is off. At the regionals you're going to average between $28-35 per day in per diem. Since you won't have a car you're also going to have to spend that money on airport and hotel food (i.e. expensive). We get $60 per day at EAS (15 B/15 L/30 D). I can easily drive to the Outback Steakhouse and have a decent dinner, all on the company dime.

Dude, there is no comparison. I've done both, and there is NO comparison on hotels. At EAS I routinely stay at full service Marriotts and Hiltons - something I never did at a regional. I've also stayed in full size suites on the Vegas strip and full service Hilton beach resorts. Yeah we end up in a Holiday Inn every once in awhile, but that is definitely the exception.


OK, here's the point to this rant...EAS is NOT a perfect place to work. Anybody who has flown with me or gone out for a beer with me knows I have very strong opinions on certain things that need to be improved. But making inaccurate comparisons to the regionals isn't helping the discussion, or helping other guys who are considering where they want to go. Quality of life should NEVER be the reason to go to a regional airline.

mavsfflife

Definitely has its pro's and con's, but even the worst schedule at a regional will yield you 5 on 3 off. After a few months on reserve it turns into 4 on 3 off. While your driving to the hotel in your company paid rental car with 9 days left on your rotation the regional guy will be sitting at home going into days off.

Airline people get per diem, yes they don't have a company credit card and will not eat as good since they can pocket the per diem instead but you do get close to $45 a day in tax free money for food.

I'll agree with you life on the road with EAS isn't bad, but it depends on what you'd rather have....a good life on the road on a 12/3 or 10/5 rotation or doing a max of 4 days on then being home for at least 3 days. I'll take the airline schedule and my time at home over life on the road any day.

Super27

Very well said, and this is exactly what it comes down to. Personally, I don't have a family or any major attachments at home, and don't mind being away, but enjoy having some creature comforts while I'm on the road. I know a lot of guys are in different situations, and they want/need a less demanding schedule with more down time.