Quick back story. I'm 37 year old career helicopter guy looking to do the transition. I have a 4 year degree and currently have my PVT and Instrument and just 10 hrs of TAA time away from ASEL commercial. I live in DSM and cannot move so I will have to be commuting. I've searched through these forums gleaming all that I can and here is what I have come up with. I'm hoping you guys can fill in any holes I've left and give me any guidance you think I should hear.

Commuting options.

ORD (1h30m flight) 11 flights, 3 of which are before 7am
DEN (2hr flight) 5 flights, 2 before 8am
MSP (1h30m flight) 5 flights, 2 before 8am
MCI (3h drive)

I think this makes ORD my best commuting option. Although I've also heard it is better to drive if possible.

Airline choices. I'd love to know reserve time for these choices.
I'll put my best guess in here based on what I've read but may confuse some of them. Looking at ORD and possibly MCI based on commuting options my choices seem to be...

Skywest
Pros: ORD should be available out of training
Middle of the road pay and QOL
Fast upgrade times and good flight time
Quick class dates
Stability seems pretty good

Cons: Not commuter friendly
No RTP for civilian helicopter pilots

Trans State
Pros: RTP for civilian helicopter pilots
Fast upgrade and lots of flight time
Quick class dates
ORD should be attainable out of training
2 flight choices commuter policy

Cons: Pay and QOL sound pretty awful
Stability of company

Republic
Pros: Can drive to MCI to avoid airline commuting
Best QOL and good pay
Shiny 175s
Good company stability

Cons:Class dates are a ways off
Slow upgrade times
Long Reserve times
Probably won't get MCI out of training

Envoy
Pros: WO stability
Many of the ORD flights are Envoy

Cons:Longer reserve times
No RTP
Promise of flow seems to keep QOL and pay lower (not as bad as Trans State/Express/GoJet)
Slower upgrade times.


Express Jet/Go Jet Have RTP but everything else sounds pretty bad about them.

My wife has a career, our insurance is through her so medical benefits are a non factor. I'll be taking a huge hit on pay so upgrading and getting pay higher as quickly as possible will be needed. I will need another 170 or so hours of fixed wing time and my MEL/25hrs ME time. I'm in a club and pay $35 an hour plus fuel for a 172.

I would like to get in as soon as possible in order to try and be at 1000 TPIC during the meat of the retirements.

I'll take anything and everything you guys can think of about my situation.

Thank you in advance for taking the time.