Originally Posted by N927EV View Post
I've been at Eagle for over 2 years now and thinking about applying given all the negative news here...Few questions though; what are the chances of IAH out of training? Or are they strictly hiring into the EMB at the moment? How do you pick bases in class? DOB? Do they cover your uniform expenses, or are you expected to pay half? Last but not least, I've heard that United was purposely not hiring some ExpressJet pilots because they didn't want to drain their own feed. Do you guys ever worry about your chances of getting hired at Delta or United will be inhibited because of this?
Originally Posted by
wrxpilot
Sorry to hear you're in that position, no doubt that's very frustrating and disappointing to even have to consider a lateral move.
As you know, it's always hard to guess when one might get into a base. What I can tell you is that the plug in IAH was hired last July (2012). It is overall a pretty junior base, and from what I understand has some pretty nice trips. Once things start moving (and all indications are that they soon will), I would assume you would get IAH pretty quick.
The only new hire classes so far have been for the Brasilia, so keep that in mind. We do have some CRJ classes going on right now, but they are filled with Brasilia transitions. Hopefully some new hires start getting into the CRJ soon too. Good luck sir!
I also believe that once we get a few months into hiring that we will go back to hiring directly into the CRJ, but since we haven't run classes in about six months, there are a large number of EMB pilots now eligible for transition. The upcoming classes for the 175 will also change things. However, pay is the same first year regardless of equipment, so unless you really can't see yourself commuting to the west coast, you only lose out on seniority by waiting if the lateral move is really what you want. It is a tough decision to make, especially if you already have a few years in at another airline. I don't think there's any truth to the idea that United and Delta wouldn't hire from their own express carriers... Why would they limit their potential pool like that, and in any case, would they rather cancel one of eight flights between COS & DEN for lack of pilots or cancel a transcon? I think we're in for a lot of changes in the next few years, good and bad. I'm hoping for more good, but SkyWest has been a good place to be while I'm waiting, even when things in this industry have been pretty rotten.
Also, to answer your other questions, you bid for bases in class, mostly dependent upon current openings, but again there is movement with ongoing transition classes so you won't be stuck in the most junior place for long if you don't want to be. It is usually unheard of for SLC or PDX to be awarded to newhires, but it does happen from time to time, and right now there is only 1 person with a transfer request in for PDX. SkyWest provides basic uniform pieces, including a few shirts, pants, epaulettes and tie and belt, nametag and wings. You must purchase your own jacket (either blazer or leather) and if you want to wear the hat that's on your own dime, too. After you've been here a year your uniform purchase allotment kicks in ($75 in January and July). If you're on the EMB, you are also provided your personal set of Jepp Charts. No airside Jepp service for our sisters and brothers on the Bro yet :-( Hope this helps!