Originally Posted by
LifeNtheFstLne
Let me start this by saying I have very little interest in getting slammed for asking my questions by people with nearly no airline experience. I'm posting this in the 'Major' forum for that reason. I respect a lot of the caliber of my peers on here, so I'm merely asking for opinions. In no way am I in a position to be critical of any one legacy over another. I would just like some opinions that can be backed up with a few facts to help me sort my thoughts out.
I just got the phone call from CAL to interview anytime in Sept. I had to schedule in Oct. since I'm in YUL doing sims for Compass. (whoops). What do you guys think? Stick it out at CPS and hope to flow to NWA in 30 months or take a job at CAL in Oct. if one is offered to me? Could be a VERY tough call, as I'd be giving up a CA position with great seniority and some needed PIC turbine (I was just shy of 1000). I really don't want to be hopping companies so quickly. Don't slam me for going to CPS, it was a great opportunity but the appeal of NWA is waning as I talk to their current pilots who consistently preach doom and gloom and now that NWA is hiring off the street who cares about a flow through? I have a feeling CAL will be around for a while, but am wary of going somewhere that just had a major hiring boom the last couple years. I have little desire to sit as a RSV F/O forever in EWR. But who does? Anyway, let's hear it! Any info. would be greatly appreciated. I'll start digging in the threads for gouge.
And since it will be asked, my experience is as follows: E-175, G-1159, LR-60 types. 4800TT, 4000Turbine, 900PIC turbine, 121 (ACA RJ F.O.), 135 time, 4-year 'degree' from evil ERAU and I just turned 27.
When I started out in aviation life, I had the similar credentials, except I was younger. "Freight dogs" were just that, FDX was still flying Falcon 50's and the pilots were paying for fuel with their personal credit cards. UPS used a conglomeration of "non-scheds" like Ryan Air to haul their air freight, and their captains work for 40K/year (about 1/3 of pax carrier legacy), with no benefits or retirement. I was very happy to be hired at AAL in 1986 at age 24.
Today, those same "freight dog" captains out earn me by 70K/year and have very bright futures. I can make the same comparison with SWA. I knew guys in 1986 that quit AAL to work for Piedmont (bought by US Air) that are now on furlough and working for the new "Republic" as captains for 60K/year (or less). I've flown with FO's at AAL with 10 years seniority that can't go to FDX or UPS or SWA because they lack PIC.
I guess the moral of the story is: short term career decisions are tough to make. You have to look at the long term, get the PIC, then move on.
Good Luck.