Hi,

First, I want to say that the title pretty much sums it up as far as what my question is leading towards. I have four checkride failures (all from my Part 61 flight training), I have worked at two separate Part 135 operators since and have not failed a checkride. I’m also quite young and so I’m still working on my bachelor’s degree online. I ended up interviewing and being offered an FO job with both SkyWest and PSA. I actually really like both companies but I’m having a difficult time picking which one. SkyWest is very stable and I could live in base. I actually liked PSA more than SkyWest and they have the flow but I’d either have to commute or move to one of their bases (I wouldn’t mind moving however there are some personal/family reasons why it might be easier to stay where I’m at). My ultimate question is: Should I go to PSA because of the flow due to my four failures and that potentially being my best shot at a major or should I go to SkyWest where I could be in base?

Thank you in advance for the responses.

 

Living in base is always better. Being junior at PSA means an outstation base for a bit. Once you’re senior enough, their SAP is pretty amazing.

Given your 4 check ride failures, you may have difficulties getting hired at a major, especially until you get your degree. It all depends on how hard the retirement wage hits them and how much they’re willing to relax their hiring standards away from their ideal candidate. You may have a shot with LCCs/ACMIs sooner rather than later. PSA will give you the flow which will be a plus long term.

It boils down to longest term what is better for you and your family, and can you be happy/content retiring from Skywest or another regional if that’s as far as you progress?

 

Under the circumstances, AA flow from PSA would be the safest path to the majors, at least the better ones. That's what I would do for sure.

I'd also finish the degree, and appy off the street to all the big-six while waiting for flow. If you get hired early, great. If not, you flow.