When on reserve at my first airline, Crew Tracking would call the senior crew member on the list and ask if he wanted to fly. That continued until someone accepted or the junior guy was forced to take the shift. I don't know if that was company policy but that's the way it worked.

I don't have SJS...I flew the BE1900 heavy at the world's worst regional airline. Anything is a shiny jet compared to that. Honestly, though, it was some of the funnest flying I've ever done...no autopilot!

I just want a good quality of life and the company, base and aircraft that will give that to me.

If the ATR will be off property in two years then those pilots will be put in a displacement bid, right? They can bump junior pilots in other equipment at any base. Please be gentle, it's been a few years since I had to know how this worked.

As far as the supposed 700 pilots hired in 2012, who knows what will happen, but it sounds good. I could always go to GoJet and upgrade next Thursday. But, I do know that getting "stuck" at a regional like AE is better than 90% of the other operators. Timing is everything in the airline biz. If movement stops at Eagle then I've screwed the pooch and given up a solid career with awesome retirement to sit as a Regional FO till I'm a grandpa!

OK...here's a stupid FNG question. What is the ATP Regional Jet Training program? I read on line that it gets you some kind of RJ experience that AE wants. Is this program worth the investment before an interview for a guy who's been out 10 years?