Originally Posted by
QOLfirst
Big Picture: I'm a retiring mil guy who hasn't flown a lot in my last five years of duty, and I intend to fly for a Regional (with the hope of moving to a major in a couple of years).
Fortunately, I have been hired by PSA and Express Jet, and I am trying to determine which is the best option. We will be living within a two-hour drive from PHL (PSA) and EWR (Express Jet). However, the drive to PHL is much easier. On the flip side, I believe I could receive an EWR assignment immediately after finishing training at Express Jet, and I don't think there is a long period of Reserve there.
I am concerned about the small amount of flying available for PSA new hires due to the staffing situation. However, Express Jet pilots are supposedly flying quite a bit.
With your experience and knowledge, do you think one company is preferable over the other given my desire/need to fly and the 2-year goal of the majors? My long-term preference is American (for whatever that is worth given how PSA is wholly owned by AA).
Any inputs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
PHL was supposed to get a ton of growth after we opened it. Not sure where we are with that exactly (been out on MIL leave for a while).
Now this is pure speculation on my part but we are seemingly overstaffed and we were given raises out of the goodness of someone's heart (Union said PAY was not on the discussion table several times). As I said, speculation on my part - though I've done a half decent job of speculating in the past (won't bother to dig up the old posts but I was pretty spot on in a few areas). I think we are on the verge of a big growth spurt to be announced and PHL would be a logical place for it.
So I wouldn't encourage you to make a determination based on my guesses but sometimes talking about stuff seems to bring stuff out of the wood work (we have a Union run website that we chat on). IF we did grow PHL as we were told were going to then you would probably be in a good position if you chose PSA.
End of the day it the regionals... PSA could be out of biz tomorrow (not likely just exaggerating the idea...) for all we know.