Originally Posted by
tcco94
Hate to ask the question that gets asked every few pages here...been reading for awhile and just seeing what people say. Trying to get out what the recruiters say to what I should expect. Going to class Jan 2 on the CRJ. My CTP is Dec 7. I heard I'll get paid the minimum 65 hours and I'll get that check in my ground school, that's correct right?
I want to take a junior base on the CRJ preferably would like to live in MSP. Are the trips any different or QOL going to be drastically different between that or ORD? Also, I'm a cadet that has access to skywest online. I just can't figure out how to calculate the time on reserve like you guys do? I know how to find the vacancy report and senority list for bases but how do you guys figure out how long it is to hold a line? Also, you're saying the time to hold a line is including ground school, sims, IOE? I preferred trying to get DEN or COS but it seems like it might take a long time to hold those bases on the CRJ especially since they're cutting back flying out of DEN, it's a long shot I assume? Will someone help with this when we get into ground school?
Greatly appreciated!
Junior base is relative as to what you are wanting now. Junior as in a makeup of mostly junior pilots is MSP, ORD, DTW. Junior as in when you can hold a line first is FAT, PSP, and SFO.
This info is from pilots I know in these classes...
ORD and MSP 2/16 classes don't have lines yet. 2/16 classes are just starting to get SFO lines. 5/16 class has lines in FAT and PSP. Any time we say time to hold a line we are talking from day 1 of CRJ class.
Trip wise MSP has the worst trips in my opinion. We have the lowest crediting 4-days (70% of our 4-days pay within an hour of min day). Also the MSP is mostly CRJ-200 trips, and they do not flow anywhere. In comparison, ORD has much more 700 trips, and they send you a little more around the country (IAH, DEN, etc). SFO has much more higher paying 4-days, that flow west->east.
Of couse how good a trip is does not equate to QOL. MSP is very liveable, inexpensive, and quick commutes. Neighborhoods by the airport are actually very nice (something you can't say about most places). Living in base short call reserve means you're really just getting paid to sit around. ORD gets you that big city vibe and is still relatively inexpensive. Neighborhoods around the airport are generally not the nicest (Cumberland, etc). Or you can live in downtown Chicago, about an hour by CTA and really enjoy yourself. Both MSP and ORD are liveable on min guarantee and you not working a minute (no per diem) if you budget correctly.
CRJ side has been in a tailslide ever since the beginning of the summer as flying goes down, and ERJ expands. Previous information about minimal reserves, junior bases, and probably what the recruiters experienced is probably invalid currently. Hopefully that helps.