Originally Posted by
gbntpilot
Thanks for the insight. You are correct. I'm a CFI/CFII/AGI/IGI with a CL-65 type, and have been instructing in a CRJ type rating program for almost a year (~600 hrs of instruction given in CRJ-200). I know with a few other airlines I've researched, the aircraft you start on is what you're required to keep for a certain amount of time. Maybe that was just for different type, like an AE ERJ FO wanting to get on a AE CRJ. (?) I wasn't aware that I could bid for a different aircraft so soon.
I have no problem admitting I'm a complete newbie to this stuff, so I may be way off base with this. I still have a lot to learn. But, my reasoning for wanting the 700 was the slightly higher pay, and IMHO, a better future for the 70 seaters versus 50 in the long run. From what I've been seeing, it seems like more regionals that operate CRJs are wanting to get more 700s and 900s, as opposed to the 200s. Another factor for me would be destinations. I'm assuming that most of the international routes that ASA flys that require extended overwater are 700 routes. If that is the case, I'd like the international experience.
Like said before, it all depends on the companys needs. Eventually the regionals will phase out 200's as they are no longer in production and other parts of the world are starting to have a need for them ex: china, india, etc. When you do get an aircraft assigned to you, you are usually seat locked for about a year after ur checkride.....however the company can change that pretty much whenever they want.
Also like said before, everyone goes through 200 training (unless ur atr) and then if and when u do get to the 700 part...its only a few classes and like 4 sims anyways....so its really not that big of a deal. 200 reserve is at about a month and the 700 a few more than that. But with the day to day changes of asa these days (people leaving etc) anything could happen.
Your experience will help you no matter what. The pay is the same the first year so if i were you i wouldnt worry about it.....theres nothing u can really do right now except just get in and get started. After a year you could probably bid any plane u want anyways. Dont worry bout it