Air Wisconsin or Go Jet
#261
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2019
Posts: 1,130
#263
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2018
Posts: 27
Stay at ZW or leave for Sun Country?
Greetings fellow Wisconsinites and APCers. Back again for another Air Wisconsin versus question and looking to get some more opinions on top of the ones I've already received from other pilots I personally know. Earlier this year, I asked about "Air Wisconsin vs GoJet 2021" and at the time I had a freshly minted R-ATP with an ERJ-145 rating (only 9 hours in type) from XJT and 1000 hours of total flight time. I ultimately went with Air Wisconsin, finished my training in late June without a hiccup, and flew my tail off over the summer. I'm now sitting at just under 1200 hours total time and somehow I've been able to land an interview with Sun Country Airlines. For some, this is a total no-brainer, but the more opinions I get, the more I can make an informed decision on whether to stay here at ZW and upgrade, or move on to a major now while the gettin's good. I've applied to AVIATE and just completed the personality and cognitive assessments the other day but so far that's it. I haven't received an invitation to interview yet from United, so there's really no bridge to burn assuming I went to Sun Country now. Here's my thinking: ZW's future beyond 2023 is uncertain. The United contract is supposed to be up and mainline is already scoped out on 76-seaters from what I gather. The company has added the 700, 900, and 200F to the cert but with no flying secured for any of the types because they were late to the party while other regionals gutted their 200's and added larger, more customer-friendly airframes years ago. So far, I've garnered opinions from a SWA captain, Spirit captain, former classmates from XJT, and of course my captains that I've flown with here at ZW. They've all told me to make the jump. The only folks who told me to stay put were two UAL pilots that gave me a jumpseat ride to work. They argued that it would take much longer to get on with United if I left because I would somehow be "frozen" in the right seat at Sun Country for eight years. Meanwhile, there are regional FO's out there with no TPIC time getting hired at places like Delta (not the norm but it does happen). They also argued that the Amazon contract can be pulled at anytime, which I must admit is true, but so far so good. I agree that upgrading is important and Sun Country's upgrade isn't even that long. From their most recent APC update in November 2020, their most junior captain had about two and a half years on property. On top of that, I have a feeling they're going to grow a lot over the next few years and they're due for a new contract so it's best to get on with them now before it all happens and ride the wave. Also, FWIW, I wouldn't mind moving to MSP in order to avoid commuting. My gut says to make the jump. Am I missing something? What are your thoughts?
#264
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2021
Posts: 376
Greetings fellow Wisconsinites and APCers. Back again for another Air Wisconsin versus question and looking to get some more opinions on top of the ones I've already received from other pilots I personally know. Earlier this year, I asked about "Air Wisconsin vs GoJet 2021" and at the time I had a freshly minted R-ATP with an ERJ-145 rating (only 9 hours in type) from XJT and 1000 hours of total flight time. I ultimately went with Air Wisconsin, finished my training in late June without a hiccup, and flew my tail off over the summer. I'm now sitting at just under 1200 hours total time and somehow I've been able to land an interview with Sun Country Airlines. For some, this is a total no-brainer, but the more opinions I get, the more I can make an informed decision on whether to stay here at ZW and upgrade, or move on to a major now while the gettin's good. I've applied to AVIATE and just completed the personality and cognitive assessments the other day but so far that's it. I haven't received an invitation to interview yet from United, so there's really no bridge to burn assuming I went to Sun Country now. Here's my thinking: ZW's future beyond 2023 is uncertain. The United contract is supposed to be up and mainline is already scoped out on 76-seaters from what I gather. The company has added the 700, 900, and 200F to the cert but with no flying secured for any of the types because they were late to the party while other regionals gutted their 200's and added larger, more customer-friendly airframes years ago. So far, I've garnered opinions from a SWA captain, Spirit captain, former classmates from XJT, and of course my captains that I've flown with here at ZW. They've all told me to make the jump. The only folks who told me to stay put were two UAL pilots that gave me a jumpseat ride to work. They argued that it would take much longer to get on with United if I left because I would somehow be "frozen" in the right seat at Sun Country for eight years. Meanwhile, there are regional FO's out there with no TPIC time getting hired at places like Delta (not the norm but it does happen). They also argued that the Amazon contract can be pulled at anytime, which I must admit is true, but so far so good. I agree that upgrading is important and Sun Country's upgrade isn't even that long. From their most recent APC update in November 2020, their most junior captain had about two and a half years on property. On top of that, I have a feeling they're going to grow a lot over the next few years and they're due for a new contract so it's best to get on with them now before it all happens and ride the wave. Also, FWIW, I wouldn't mind moving to MSP in order to avoid commuting. My gut says to make the jump. Am I missing something? What are your thoughts?
In this market, with you having such little time, SunCountry would likely be your best bet. Get your type rating and start flying a larger airplane. Build time quickly and hope to move to a good airline in the next year or two.
There are literally 5000+ regional pilots with no PIC time, but all in RJ's. You can set yourself apart with 737 time.
SunCountry is a pretty crappy airline, but not sure any of the smaller regionals are any better. Several won't exist by the end of 2022, and the ones that will fall first will be anyones guess. Take the 737 job and run.
#265
Greetings fellow Wisconsinites and APCers. Back again for another Air Wisconsin versus question and looking to get some more opinions on top of the ones I've already received from other pilots I personally know. Earlier this year, I asked about "Air Wisconsin vs GoJet 2021" and at the time I had a freshly minted R-ATP with an ERJ-145 rating (only 9 hours in type) from XJT and 1000 hours of total flight time. I ultimately went with Air Wisconsin, finished my training in late June without a hiccup, and flew my tail off over the summer. I'm now sitting at just under 1200 hours total time and somehow I've been able to land an interview with Sun Country Airlines. For some, this is a total no-brainer, but the more opinions I get, the more I can make an informed decision on whether to stay here at ZW and upgrade, or move on to a major now while the gettin's good. I've applied to AVIATE and just completed the personality and cognitive assessments the other day but so far that's it. I haven't received an invitation to interview yet from United, so there's really no bridge to burn assuming I went to Sun Country now. Here's my thinking: ZW's future beyond 2023 is uncertain. The United contract is supposed to be up and mainline is already scoped out on 76-seaters from what I gather. The company has added the 700, 900, and 200F to the cert but with no flying secured for any of the types because they were late to the party while other regionals gutted their 200's and added larger, more customer-friendly airframes years ago. So far, I've garnered opinions from a SWA captain, Spirit captain, former classmates from XJT, and of course my captains that I've flown with here at ZW. They've all told me to make the jump. The only folks who told me to stay put were two UAL pilots that gave me a jumpseat ride to work. They argued that it would take much longer to get on with United if I left because I would somehow be "frozen" in the right seat at Sun Country for eight years. Meanwhile, there are regional FO's out there with no TPIC time getting hired at places like Delta (not the norm but it does happen). They also argued that the Amazon contract can be pulled at anytime, which I must admit is true, but so far so good. I agree that upgrading is important and Sun Country's upgrade isn't even that long. From their most recent APC update in November 2020, their most junior captain had about two and a half years on property. On top of that, I have a feeling they're going to grow a lot over the next few years and they're due for a new contract so it's best to get on with them now before it all happens and ride the wave. Also, FWIW, I wouldn't mind moving to MSP in order to avoid commuting. My gut says to make the jump. Am I missing something? What are your thoughts?
#266
Banned
Joined APC: Jun 2021
Posts: 794
From the outside looking in: my $.02? Stay at Air Whiskey. Your path to PIC turbine is quicker. PIC turbine is PIC turbine. The 737 type rating isn't what it was 20 years ago. If UAL doesn't pick you up...there's always Delta and American. I'm guessing they don't mind poaching from the competition's future Captain pool.
I’m shocked anyone would come over to AW or stick around with better offers in hand.
To the original poster. I know someone personally who is at Sunny, it’s not an 8 year upgrade lol. Recently they’ve have the best on time performance of any Amazon contractor, so they were awarded more flying. The upgrade time going down, but supposedly the reserve CA flying is pretty bad.
Last edited by KirillTheThrill; 10-10-2021 at 01:20 PM.
#267
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 133
Greetings fellow Wisconsinites and APCers. Back again for another Air Wisconsin versus question and looking to get some more opinions on top of the ones I've already received from other pilots I personally know. Earlier this year, I asked about "Air Wisconsin vs GoJet 2021" and at the time I had a freshly minted R-ATP with an ERJ-145 rating (only 9 hours in type) from XJT and 1000 hours of total flight time. I ultimately went with Air Wisconsin, finished my training in late June without a hiccup, and flew my tail off over the summer. I'm now sitting at just under 1200 hours total time and somehow I've been able to land an interview with Sun Country Airlines. For some, this is a total no-brainer, but the more opinions I get, the more I can make an informed decision on whether to stay here at ZW and upgrade, or move on to a major now while the gettin's good. I've applied to AVIATE and just completed the personality and cognitive assessments the other day but so far that's it. I haven't received an invitation to interview yet from United, so there's really no bridge to burn assuming I went to Sun Country now. Here's my thinking: ZW's future beyond 2023 is uncertain. The United contract is supposed to be up and mainline is already scoped out on 76-seaters from what I gather. The company has added the 700, 900, and 200F to the cert but with no flying secured for any of the types because they were late to the party while other regionals gutted their 200's and added larger, more customer-friendly airframes years ago. So far, I've garnered opinions from a SWA captain, Spirit captain, former classmates from XJT, and of course my captains that I've flown with here at ZW. They've all told me to make the jump. The only folks who told me to stay put were two UAL pilots that gave me a jumpseat ride to work. They argued that it would take much longer to get on with United if I left because I would somehow be "frozen" in the right seat at Sun Country for eight years. Meanwhile, there are regional FO's out there with no TPIC time getting hired at places like Delta (not the norm but it does happen). They also argued that the Amazon contract can be pulled at anytime, which I must admit is true, but so far so good. I agree that upgrading is important and Sun Country's upgrade isn't even that long. From their most recent APC update in November 2020, their most junior captain had about two and a half years on property. On top of that, I have a feeling they're going to grow a lot over the next few years and they're due for a new contract so it's best to get on with them now before it all happens and ride the wave. Also, FWIW, I wouldn't mind moving to MSP in order to avoid commuting. My gut says to make the jump. Am I missing something? What are your thoughts?
Go to Sunny.
#269
Line Holder
Joined APC: Oct 2018
Posts: 27
Stay at ZW or leave for Sun Country?
Thanks for the replies so far! Of course there's no decision to be made unless they offer me the job, but from what I'm gathering so far, the general consensus seems to be to make the jump. It would be difficult to say no to a major airline job on a 737 with just 1200 hours. Sure, I'm pretty low time, but I've successfully completed two airline training programs on two different aircraft, so I'm definitely trainable. Like FlyGuy and Kirill said, it would set me apart from the regional world by not only exposing me to a larger mainline aircraft, but also a flight operation with a more extensive route structure that includes real international flying, not just YYZ and YUL. It also exposes me to the freighter world which I assume would be helpful if I ever wanted to end up at FedEx or UPS. Military and sports charters are another revenue stream that would be new to me. Overall, it offers plenty of variety that you normally don't get at most regionals. And I'm sure whatever contract they come up with on this next negotiation will be a step up from what they already have.
#270
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