Originally Posted by
scubadiver
I live within reasonable commuting distance to RDU and CLT. I am close to a domicile for either airline, hence them being my top two choices. I like where I live for the time being but I would also be fine living closer to either city I end up domiciled in.
QOL is important and I would think they would be comparable, as would upgrade time.
I am retired military and a former police officer. I am 100 hours shy of making my minimums. I am married, kids are older, but I am a home body. Sometimes I wonder if 121 operations will be worth the sacrifice of time away from home, I am not hurting for money, but the potential for substantial paychecks after a few years is enticing. I may decide that I dislike the time away and look for a gig that keeps me home more often (corporate or returning to law enforcement).
That being said, I know you can opt out of the bonus with PSA, but I wouldn't because there is just as much chance I would like it and stay. I do like that the bonus with GoJet does not obligate you to a certain amount of time and no need to pay it back if you leave.
I will say I like that PSA is WO but I just don't see me waiting to flow. I feel like I would either try and get hired outside the flow or start putting apps out and interviewing to transition to a major or corporate gig as soon as I can be competitive.
Both offer similar pay with bonuses.
Not really sure about specific QOL details regarding typical schedules, reserve, min days off, etc.
Here is some pros and cons off the top of my head.
PSA pro
- WO, more stable
- Flow as a backup
- has SAP for now, but still takes a while to hold a line where you can use it.
- Travel benefits probably better
PSA con
- Repay bonus (conditions apply) if leaving
- slightly longer commute to domicile (2.25 hours)
GoJet pro
- Bonuses are yours to keep once getting them
- slightly shorter commute (1.5 hours)
- spirit pathway (not legacy but still a major)
- Flies only CRJ7 and CRJ9
GoJet con
- Not WO, future not as certain
- stigma of being less qualified or lower class pilots
Probably many more I am leaving off...
Based on your pros/cons for PSA I think you've got PSA as your best choice. The biggest, and most important, part of choosing an airline for me was finding one that didn't rely on CPA's. As we've seen with Delta/ExpressJet, and American/TSA/ExpressJet, not being at a WO is a riskier career move, often with fewer benefits.
As far as repaying a bonus, you're going to spend 4 months in training. Your comittment letter is for a period spanning 24 months total, so all things considered once you're on the line you're really looking at just over a year and a half. To be fair to the Company, if there's really a doubt you'll leave in that short a perior then you shouldn't take the bonus.
Communiting/Non-reving as a Non-WO is more of a challenge, and the travel benefits at a WO will far exceed those of a partner. As far as Spirit, as mentioned above, it's easier to go from PSA to Spirit than it is to go from Go Jet to American. Hell, here all you have to do is work and wait, no interview needed. As American's attrition rates increase, I think it's safe to say our flow rates will as well. American has to get pilots, they've got a sure-fire pool to pull from with known training records and work histories.
Take the longer commute for now. If I were a gambling man, GoJet, SkyWest, and Republic are all "more flexible" to the mainlines than a committed WO. American's going to have a fleet of 165 CRJ's no matter what contract they cancel. Those planes need qualified pilots.