Lear55driver

I'm currently flying 135 as a Lear F.O. and have enough time to start looking elsewhere to get a better quality of life. Just looking for opinions on the 4 different regionals I listed in the title. Hit me with the good, the bad and the ugly to help me make a decision on where to send my resume. I already know their minimums/payscale. I've pretty much narrowed it down to these four, but need a little more help deciding. Upgrade times? Junior bases? Company reputation? Quality of life?... things like that. I plan on being at the regionals for at least 5 years, so I don't just want to jump on one just because their hiring or they lowered there mins? Thanks for the help.


A very confused F.O.

jack

I can tell you that ASA with all its problems and possible sell off is continuing to grow. I just saw a bid and the most junior captain was in the mid 1200's out of 1700 total. We keep hiring, keep getting new airplanes, and are going to have a healthy number of retirements coming up.

Vader

I don't know if this means anything, but I was reading Express Jet's Annual report in their "Investor relations" section and I've noticed very positive company outlooks but all projections were based and depended on Continental Airlines.

Lear55driver

jack

i'm assuming that you are flying for them now since you said "we". which one is the junior base - ATL or SLC? and how long have you been with them? i'm serioulsy considering sending the app. in soon. thanks again for your help.

PILOTGUY

Just a rumor, but since ASA has been bought, word is spreading on a 3to1 merger.

Mach82

For PilotGuy or anyone else. What exactly do you mean by a 3 to 1 merger?

PILOTGUY

The 3-1 merger may not happen that way. Just a rumor. What it means is that the top three pilots at skywest would be put on the new senority list, then the top asa pilot, then three more skywest, then another asa, and so on. If true, the asa pilots are going to get hosed. I hope that it does not go that way. It will be interesting with a non-union airline buying a union-airline.

TheProfessionalPilot

Any word on where you could POTENTIALLY be sent and possibly where you would most LIKELY be sent after finishing the 60-90 day training with ExpressJet? I realize they have 3 bases... I am just wondering if anyone knows where they are sent out after training and if commuting is an option after the reserves are over. Any info on quality of life, etc on this particular airline is greatly appreciated!
Best Regards,
Jason Leonard

cfi76

Hey,

About Express, right now seems that newhires tend to go to Newark which is where I'm based, though that's by choice. I think some go to Cleveland as well but Newark is the most junior base. It also seems that getting to Houston doesn't take all that long, if you want Houston you'd probably only have to hang out in Newark for a few months at most, but that's just how it seems to me now, I guess it could change. When I was hired, which was slightly over a year ago, people waited about two months and then they were over to Houston. The company is fun to fly for, the Captains I've flown with have all been great, fun people. I guess like with all things could be better, could definitely be worse. If you have any questions feel free.

TheProfessionalPilot

Thanks for your help CFI. Do you know anyone that commutes during their reserve period? I live in the PBI/FLL and willing to be (MCO) based. I REALLY want to get on w/ chautauqua because they have two bases right next door to me (FLL/MCO). But if things are roses at Express Jet (EJ?) then I will most likely bite the bullet and pay my dues away from home. The problem is this: Like most are aware, being a single man is pratically the only way to survive the first year.... I am engaged and plan on getting married Feb 1st.... any and all input on whether to get married first, then try to get on w/ chaut or express jet, or should I get on w/ one of them first then try to get married? I have a feeling getting married after getting a job w/ one of them would nearly be impossible.

Any input on Chautauqua? I am very close to starting a program w/ RAA that will supposedly let me "skip" the 23 minimum age rule (I'm 20). I want to hear the good/bad/ugly about Chautauqua, the fair word on them. I have heard nothing but good things about Express Jet. So how about Chautauqua?

What does anyone think of RAA (Regional Airline Academy)? Any word on how legit RAA is as far as their claims that I will be able to bypass the 23 year age limit?

Thanks again everybody,
Jason Leonard