American Eagle or ExpressJet
 

I've interviewed with both and have been offered position with both. Just trying to get some pilots views on the company, preferably those who actually fly for the airlines (not well I heard stories). I currently live in Dallas and will have to commute initially no matter which airline I go to. I enjoy living in Dallas and will continue to live there as my fiance has a steady job.

If I go to eagle I will make approximately $4k during training and could take the $5k sign on bonus (with 2 year commitment). I would probably be stationed in JFK on the ERJ. Eventally I would be able to return to DFW

If I go to ExpressJet I will make approximately $1.5k during training, no sign on bonus and will be stationed initially in Dulles or Kansas City on the ERJ. The closest i could get to returning to Dallas is Houston (still need a crash pad as it is a 3.5 hour drive)

I would like comments and criticism on both jobs. I understand there are a lot of factors and am not asking for you guys to make up my mind, all I need is input. Please and Thanks in advance, Austin

Acso,
I am facing a similar dilema. However, I have not yet interviewed with Eagle, that is next week. I have already been hired by PSA so that is a sure thing right now. When did you interview with Eagle? If you can PM, would you mind shooting me some info on the interview? I would really appreciate it! I wish I had more for your decision!

Dallas as of now is the most senior base - BUT generally people are getting what they want when a vacancy/displacement bid comes around. I know one of the most junior people who was displaced got reawarded his base choice. With the movement at Eagle you probably would get DFW pretty quickly ASSUMING the movement continues.

With that in mind, I have friends who I was in new hire training August 2011 and they are still about midway on the reserve list. However, you can NOT beat living in base - reserve becomes tolerable and even preferable. I live in base (ORD) and bid reserve when I can get one of the last few hard lines.

XJT people have been getting IAH out of training. During training on the legacy XJT side your paid per diem only during training. No training contract so you could bail when you wanted to. My experience has been positive, very nice people to work with and decent training program.

You got be on the CRJ side too, ATL DtW, IAD and DFW. You could have a possibility of getting DFW on the crj side as they do AA flying. Obviously aircraft is not really guaranteed as it wasn't for me (wanted crj).

I did the eagle interview, they seem a little shaky right now in the Industry I'm a but weary of bonuses and uncertain futures with eagle. All regionals have their issues I guess.

In the end it's about QOL, I think DFW at AE is prolly a bit out of reach for the long term unless and eagle pilot can chime in on that. XJT has had a bit more movement on the erj side. Hiring about 30 per class 2 classes a month.

Not out of reach at all. Maybe not right out of training, but if VAC bids come out as much as they have...a couple months or so. That is, if you're not on the CRJ. Then it's NY.

Good luck!

American Eagle or ExpressJet
 

I fly the crj forXJT and have to say I really enjoy it here. Of course it's not perfect, but everyone is professional and respectful. Overall pretty good morale here. With that said, being able to live at base would probably trump anything. The pay is about the same (pitiful) so i wouldn't focus too much on that

I'm in a very similar situation but between Eagle and Republic. I have offers from both with possible class dates mid October with both. I'm just so unsure about Eagle's future in the industry and the QOL at Republic.

Eagle isn't going anywhere boys and girls.

Great inputs all...did not even know this thread began, so kudos to asco and thanks.

I'm also in a similar situation: interviews set with AE, ExpressJet and GoJet within the next 10 days. However, Mesa made an offer with a pretty quick start date, so I'm trying to weigh the variables as well. We live close enough to PHX, which is why I was leaning in that direction, but I'm told it goes way senior. We also have a home N of IAH, which makes the ExpressJet option much more palatable. Given the above, I'm not sure which way to lean...better company? Not sure there is one! They all seem to have a good bunch of folks, and they're all hiring. It's also a perfect place to learn the industry while the Majors figure out how many they really need.

Given the above, anyone have any real horror stories along the lines of the original post? I'm still thinking Mesa and/or ExpressJet would be my top 2 unless I hear something otherwise. Thanks/best of luck to you all.

In your case, take the Mesa until you get the offer from Xjet. If they offer and you wanna live in IAH, I'd that. For a regional, if you can live in base, it makes it that much easier.

Nothing like getting your overnight canxed and you go to the house to come back out the next day. Or have a loooong 4 day and when you get done, you don't have to fly another leg home.