Originally Posted by
proskuneho
OK, I know that it will probably be a long time before I can get an airline job so please don't turn this into a bashing session. I currently have 1100 TT w/300 ME (almost all as instructor), and I expect to have about 1400/500 by the end of March. I love the Asheville area of Western North Carolina, and my wife and I would love to live there. Plus, we have family that would rent us an apartment for VERY cheap (and maybe THEN I could afford to go to the regionals.)
SO - whenever the market turns around (and assuming that hiring actually resumes for guys with my entry level experience
), which airline would be good to work for commuting from AVL? Gleaning from the AVL website and airline routemaps, I believe Expressjet, ASA, Chatauqua, Pinnacle, and PSA all have flights to AVL. With these guys, I could bid for a base in EWR, IAH, ATL, CVG, DTW, MSP, or CLT with direct flights from AVL. I know I could work for a different regional, but would it make life easier as a commuter to work for one of the guys that have their own flights to AVL? Who does overnights in AVL?
Thanks in advance for helping.
Proskuneho - with your permission I'd like to rephrase your question.
"
Which regional would make it possible for me to move on to the major/cargo/fractional airline of my choice the fastest which would then allow my wife and I to settle down in Asheville, NC?"
In other words, "
where would I gain the required PIC time the fastest and maybe even be able to become a check airman/ioe/simulator instructor while still there?"
Needless to say, "
Until I reach my final goal, my wife and I will try to live near my domicile to make sure we see each other more than once a month... "
I know this is not what you wanted to hear but do not postpone your progression for the quality of life issues - aim really high right now while you can.
While I am at it - since you like Asheville so much do not forget Pace Airlines based out of Winston-Salem - in the past they hired a few CFIs, I know things are different right now but it's a tiny company where connections mean everything, so start networking right now! I used to fly there and had a blast.
Good luck to you!