Originally Posted by Antoine137

I had someone just PM me with some great questions. I figured I would share my response with others who might find this information helpful. This info is primarily aimed at people who want to be based in DFW. The perspective I present below would be very different for someone looking to be based elsewhere.

I just recently started at Envoy as a FO, but I am happy to give as much info as I can; just know I have very limited experience. For young guys, while your age may seems like a negative for the bidding process, you are at a GREAT age to be able to start at Envoy, and should have a long career at American.

I wanted DFW as my base. It is one of the reasons I chose Envoy. I would have also been happy with ORD, but I did not want LGA. My perspective changed a little after talking with my friend. These are some details:

The first day, they will put the vacancies up on a board. You will choose a base/equipment combo; cannot choose each one independently. These are the possible options:

DFW 145: This is a great option. You will be based in DFW. You will get an extra $5000 sign on bonus. You have the option to change bases if you want. There is a lot of movement from the top, since the base is pretty senior. This means you should move up schedule wise with all the guys who are flowing or upgrading to captain. (Due to all of these, it has been a while since DFW 145 has been offered to new hires. You can see the list of openings from the previous classes just a couple pages back on this thread.) One down side is I have heard reserve is about one year. May not matter much if you are living in base though.

DFW 175: This is a good option. You get to DFW right away. This usually goes to the older guys in class (40+ y.o.). If you can get it, great plane, great base. Your relative seniority on the equipment is dependent on if they exercise the additional 90 options. Right now, because the equipment is new, many of the new guys have it, so there is not a lot of movement from the top. Your schedule will only get better if they continue to bring more 175s onto property. I have heard reserve is relatively short. No extra sign on bonus, but hey, you are in DFW.

LGA 145: At first, I thought this would be my last choice. NYC is expensive. My commute would be a terrible 2 leg. It was hard to see the good. However, I realized a couple of positives. The base is being reopened. Most guys don't want it, so the movement off the top is great. Many new hires will fill in the list below you. Your schedule should improve with each new month. Reserve should be very short as well. I don't know what the commute would look like from DFW. You get the extra $5000 sign on bonus. Also, this equipment will give you the chance to bid back to DFW when a vacancy comes out (if spots available). In the meantime, your schedule should be improving monthly.

ORD 145: This base appears to be shrinking due to all the flying that LGA will get. Your schedule may not be the best with the downsizing. The benefits of this option are an extra $5000 sign on bonus and the opportunity to change bases.

ORD CRJ: Avoid this at all costs. It is a shrinking fleet (and base) and it is possible you will never be off reserve until you are displaced. You won't get to DFW until that happens either since you can't bid other equipment. No one knows the time frame on the transition. (A lot of rumors or speculation, but no official word). You get the extra $5000 at least.

The next vacancy should happen around April 2017, again based on rumors. You could be awarded DFW (if the vacancy has spots for FOs or there are backfills) before training ends. Many of us experienced this on the last vacancy. The transfer may take a couple of months after training though. The sooner your class date, the better your seniority number, and the more likely you could get base transfer once a vacancy comes out with the base you want. You have to be on the 145 to transfer base as a FO though. Otherwise you will be stuck. If the next vacancy doesn't bring you to DFW, you may have to wait another 3 months and see what the next one after that brings as options.

Disclaimer: Things can change rapidly in the regional airline industry. I am not management, and this is all based on observation, and probably some rumors. I make NO guarantees. I cannot make your decisions for you, and a decision you make today could drastically alter your quality of life. I don't want to carry that burden if you are unhappy, so please make the decision that is best for you (and your family). As a reminder, the notes above are to help people who want to be based in DFW only.