Originally Posted by
VA Pilot
On PDT...
Any announcement yet on where the 145s will be based? I have heard PDT/AA are battling back and forth... AA wants ORD and PDT wants DCA and/or DCA/PHL? Any updates?
Also, I have been told by several PDT pilots and a few recruiters (taken with lots of grains of salt) that the 145s will go anywhere from mid-level to super-junior when the start coming online. Isn't there a pay raise with a switch from the Dash to the 145? I can't imagine anyone not taking the extra pay to move to the jet.
The first guy at PDT to tell me otherwise about moving to the 145 did so last week (another recruiter).... He said "if you get on with PDT before December, you'll get to move to the 145 eventually... maybe a year or two." I don't mind flying the Dash for a while, but I would prefer to move to the 145 on the advice of the legacy CA's I have spoken to. What's the consensus here? How long would it take for a guy getting online late this summer/early fall to get in the 145?
Thanks guys!
We were told in a town hall meeting recently that the jets would be east coast based. They (SVP of Regional Carriers) specifically stated it would NOT be ORD, DFW, or the Midwest. If you get on with PDT now, you could easily get the 145 within a year or so. I really think 2 years would be extreme. 20 aircraft will require about 90-100 FOs to staff. We have 180 FOs on the list I just checked. Some will remain on the Dash or flow and at least 40-60 will upgrade in that time due to the flow and growth. You would be in an excellent position to not only bid that equipment, but upgrade in 2-3 years time or less. PM me if you want any more info.