Jland0413

Ok current airline pilots. I need help with regionals. I've chosen ExpressJet or Envoy.

ExpressJet.
Pros:
E135/E145.
IAH base (I live at LCH so Houston is perfect for me)
$37 starting pay.
$1.50 Per Diem.
100% Cancellation and Deadhead pay.
Great Health Insurance and 401K.
United CPP.
Access to many major carriers...not limited to one.
AP3 Program.
EFBs.
Aerosim Flight Academy accepts AP3.
United Airlines high pay and desirable.
Cons:
I hear bad stuff about ExpressJet about it failing and negative pilots. (Opinions)
DFW contract lost.
Negative results on the United CPP.
No sign on bonus.
I really want ExpressJet. Somebody tell me (preferably an ExpressJet pilot) the honest truth about ExpressJet.

Envoy Air.
Pros:
E140/E145.
iPads...maybe?
Guaranteed flow.
Sign on bonus.
ATP Flight Academy.
Pipeline Instructor Program.
Easy interview.
Cons:
E175 (I hear large RJs aren't good for upgrades)
My only option is AA. What if something happens to AA while I'm at Envoy?
DFW or ORD. Id take DFW but that's far.
Starting pay $26.00.
Low starting pay (compared to United) at AA.
Envoy sounds nice with the guarenteed flow...but what if?
Envoy pilots please help me out here.

ExpressJet leaves many doors open and I hear it's a good place to stay if all else fails.
I'm new to all this so please educate me and help me out. Thank you Envoy and ExpressJet pilots for the help.
I appreciate all the help I can get.

JohnnyDingus

Just get hired at a major. Why go to a regional?


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AdiosMikeFox

Talked to an Expressjet FO the other day, we compared notes. Expressjet is a good place to work, like ENY pre-bankruptcy minus the flow. Very slow upgrade, but a decent atmosphere.

Envoy has issues. Tensions are high. But it has the flow, and somehow they are still managing to move people out despite the tight staffing here. They sent 13 this month and word on the street is they're sending 25-30 next month.

Jland0413

Haha I wish I could go direct

New Guy 007

NO,NO,NO!!!, what ever you decide, stay as far away from ExpressJet as you can, go to some place better like Great Lakes!!!

NotMrNiceGuy

I’ve been at ExpressJet (L-ASA) a little over 9 and a half years. The last two I’ve spent as a Captain in DFW. My experience has been nothing to complain about. My ultimate goal has always been to get on with the top 6 (UPS, FDX, DAL, UAL, SWA, AAL). XJT has offered many opportunities to improve myself as a pilot and I am thankful for that. There are also a wealth of opportunities to serve inside of the company that will give you a fuller picture of the industry. The work group has been fantastic and I can’t say enough good things about the people we hire. The training is among the best (if not the best) in the industry. My home is in ATL, so that has been ideal for me. The contract offers a QOL that did not exist at the other regionals while I was a First Officer. I can’t speak to that now, since I’m not up to snuff on what the other guys are offering. But for regional life, it’s worked fine for me.

As far as the future doom and gloom goes, I personally don’t buy it. SKYW keeps their cards close to the vest, and I definitely don’t have someone on the inside to let me know of their plans. However, they’ve been nothing but cunning when operating the business side of things. Through the tumultuous economic times, their companies have been lean and profitable. Did they out kick their coverage when the purchased L-XJT? Absolutely. But for the first time since the acquisition, all three airlines are profitable. That being said, there is still a long way to go. The combined pilot groups of ASA and XJT has shrunk by almost 25% in the last six years. On the other hand, Skywest Airlines has grown by nearly 50%. It’s difficult not to read into those numbers and think the company does not favor SKW. However, the company has made efforts to position us (XJT) for future flying. They have picked up AAL flying in the last couple years. The ERJ base in DFW always had an air of brevity, but the CRJ base in DFW is likely to remain. XJT has been among the best performers for AAL and the rumblings are that dual-class is a possibility. On the Delta side, we have been requested to move a lot of flying to LGA because we are one of the few carriers with the operational prowess to handle the fluid environment as well as have the pilots to do it. I think the partners respect our capabilities even if we do it at a higher cost. On the UAL side, I understand the contracts are up in 2017. But future contracts usually are not finalized until the end of the previous term. I expect no difference here and there simply is not the man power out there to shift they flying to someone else. In my opinion, the future of XJT is safe. However…

When picking a regional, you are picking the one that is most suitable to your needs. Where do you want to go? Where will you live? What is your financial situation? All of these things are unique to you and I cannot speak to any of them. But from a career progression standpoint, there are a couple of elements that we all understand. At XJT, there just isn’t a ton of movement, and movement is key to advancing your career. In a perfect confluence of events, we could see five year upgrades. But this would involve us picking up some new flying. We are slated to upgrade about 150 pilots in the next 12 months (8 per month plus a backlog of around 50). New flying will increase that and move upgrade to a little over five years. That is very optimistic and you just can’t count on it. That being said, there is an abundance of qualified Captains here that are looking to move on. They will be picked up in the next two to three years which will help with movement. The majority of the top 400 at L-ASA are looking to stay. It’s a good QOL and a good paycheck and a good company. The upgrade is important because it opens door. PIC opens doors. If you have the seniority to get a Line Check position, that opens doors. At a place that gets you PIC after three years, and a Line Check position after 5, you can move on to Atlas and get heavy time and be at FedEx at ten years in the industry. I can’t hold a LCA position because I’m still on reserve. That hurts career progression. You have to decide whether family QOL or career progression are what you are looking for. And that is personal.

I’ve gone way too long. To wrap up and speak to the WO flow… You’re gonna get on with a major. Is AAL where you want to be? Envoy is hard to beat in that case. But there will be such a need by 2025 (or whenever your goal is to be at a Legacy), I don’t think it matters where you go. Think about your goal airline and adjust your decisions off of that. I would also consider SkyWest with their IAH domicile if I were you. Good luck with your decision.

PS - XJT Per Diem is $1.85.

Jland0413

So you recommend ExpressJet?

New Guy 007

NO,NO,NO, please do your homework, stay as far away from ExpressJet as you can!! Everyone out there could do sooo much better then ExpressJet.

Inclined plane

Envoy pilots are not limited to AA only. They can apply anywhere while waiting for their turn with the flow, including interviewing as an off the street hire at AA.


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DL31082

Is that all you can say? How about you answer the Ops question and compare Envoy and ExpressJet. There has already been one person on here telling how it is at ExpressJet. My experience at ExpressJet has been very similar to that persons. I dont buy into the doom and gloom that a lot of people here buy into. There are places that have faster upgrade time, but there isn't many places that can beat our contract. I have had a great time at ExpressJet so far.