Originally Posted by
deltajuliet
Travel benefits would probably be comparable, except at Envoy/PSA/Piedmont (all owned by American Airlines) because American will be the only airline you can non-rev (non revenue travel; fly for free) on. But you can always jumpseat on any airline.
Republic just got a big pay increase for FO's, but staffing remains a problem and some think the airline will need to declare bankruptcy because it can't afford the new pilot contract longterm.
Endeavor has a solid $20,000 bonus every year you're there for the next few years, but upgrade is still slow and that bonus might go away around 2017-2018.
There's the industry in a nutshell.
I definitely agree on living near base. We made the move to our base a few years back and it's paid dividends.
As far as Endeavor, I've got a good buddy on their recruitment team. He's told me the retention pay is good through end of 2018, but likely extending through end of contract (end of 2019). Also, the 20K payment puts Endeavor at least a couple grand, if not several grand, above the next closest regional for yearly salary (not hourly rates which are higher at a lot of places).
As far as travel perks, they offer what seems like pretty darn good benefits. Same priority as Delta on 9E metal; highest priority of all Delta Connection carriers, but below active and retired Delta employees. No cap on international travel, just pay taxes. Parents, spouse/domestic partner/kids, fly free. No buddy passes, but those are essentially meaningless anyway.
And from what I've read, upgrade time is moving up. They've got a lot of 7-8 year FOs who got stuck when the company stopped hiring, but there's been a lot of movement recently. Projecting 300+ upgrades in 2016...and with the SSP/DGI movement to Delta, you can expect upgrades in 30 months or less.
Depending on where you live, I'd say give my boy a call. He'd be happy to chat you up. DM me if you need his contact info.
Good luck!