Originally Posted by
Nigel
For Republic, I guess I'm concerned with how much bad stuff I hear about them. Although they are getting 30 odd Q400's what are my chances of being based in DEN which is really their only out west option? Or how long would I have to commute until I could transfer there? Planning on growing or shrinking the DEN base?
Generally, Republic is an east company. Under our current CBA, you are stuck on your type and certificate (e.g. Republic/Chautauqua/Shuttle) until upgrade. If you got hired into the Q400 program soon, life will be very good. You will have a line quickly if you get hired in the front end of the program startup. Even if you don't get DEN initially, it will likely be possible to base trade out to Q400 DEN from MCI or PIT.
If you get hired into Republic 170/190 program, you have a chance at being junior reserve b-i-t-c-h in DEN, but will likely be stuck in a base east of the Mississippi river. Remember.... you will be stuck as a Republic 170/190 FO until upgrade. We could open a Shuttle America E170 base in LAX and you would not be able to bid it without upgrading. While upgrade times are starting to fall, the most junior CA on any type, across all certificates is 5.5 years.
The Republic DEN 190 base is being rapidly downsized. There is a HIGH likelihood that by this time next year, everyone will be displaced somewhere else. You could theoretically make it to DEN on the 190 to be displaced to the Chautaqua E145, with no chance to change back to the 170/190 at either shuttle or republic without being senior enough to upgrade.
In other words, get in now, but only if you're going to the Q400, as you will have good prospects at a line and being based in DEN. Any other position in the company is not worth taking unless you are okay with commuting a LOOONG way.