Originally Posted by
Av8tor0773
I won't be able to attend training until November (retiring form military) so I know a lot can and will change - but where things are now and some thoughts on then would be great.
about me - I live in Austin, will have to commute unless I can get IAH or DFW. I have 4700 TT with 1300 TPIC (includes instructor time) in ME TurboProp (king air).
What is reserve like - is it long call or ready reserve and what is a conservative guess on how long on reserve. Also, what is flying time like on reserve - i'll likely have to commute, maybe not, but if I do, I don't want to be on reserve somewhere and not flying - I hear this is happening a lot a Envoy.
How is training / QOL?
How long for upgrade? (I have 500 hours in creditable from military toward the 1000 hour requirement)
I'm not really considering WO because flow in 'who knows how long', if ever, seems crazy to base a decision on.
I've been considering (and some of the reasons why):
TSA (BIG bonus 35K after IOE, 15K at yr one; short reserve if any, and reserves are flying, quick upgrade).
XJT (27K bonus upfront, i'm told quick reserve if any)
RAH (all EJET, fly for all 3 mains, pretty reputable and seemingly growing company, IAH an option) - but have no idea about reserve time - QOL seems to be good based on what I read on APC.
Mesa (AA/UAX flying option, DFW and IAH and option)
Thanks in advance!
If you are a military rated pilot with those times you are looking at a relatively quick advancement to a major airline. I wouldn’t even let upgrade time at a regional be a consideration. Every extra MONTH you spend at a regional is going to cost you $20k in lifetime earnings.
So go to a regional that can give you a PROMPT class date, gets you through training expeditiously, and then will fly your butt off. A big signing bonus would be a plus but it pales in comparison to what you will gain or lose if you end up with a prolonged period on reserve.
Get in, get a line, and start cranking out hours. Put apps out to the majors as soon as you have a couple hundred hours of 121 TSIC - or even sooner. The worst move you could make economically is to go to some place you will sit reserve, even if the QOL is great and you’re living in base. Over the next three years there will be a huge increase in hiring. Seniority is everything in this business. Try to be in the vanguard of that surge.