Commuting from SMF, where to work???
 

Hi guys... Looking for advise....

Recently, I got turned down by SKW, so now it is guaranteed that I will have to commute, at least to Midwest or even farther...

I do have a confirmed job offer from GoJet and interviews lined up from PSA, Air Whisky & C5

I don't want to go to any turbo-prop operators, I basically want a 121, Jet, glass, more than 30 ton, preferably a United Express carrier.

Based on what i have read over the last few years, I have tried to make a snapshot of the industry and tried to narrow my options but the more I look at it, I don't see many options..

SKW: Refused me..
Compass: wants 121 time...
Air Whisky: Good company, but 50 seaters have an uncertain future plus CR200 is less than 30 ton.
XJT: Good company but Not profitable, could be sold, they also have a lot of 50 seaters, therefore has uncertain future...
American Eagle: Losing airplanes, uncertain future...
Republic...????
Mesa: horrible working conditions, sub par pay...
PSA: I don't know much about the company except that they took some pay cuts that didn't need to...

Did I miss any one???

So, what do you guys think, What company / base combination would work best from SMF ?

Thanks in advance...

Most importantly, do you want the engines under the wings or on the tail?

Is it possible to get 2 under the wing on each side....;)

J/k....

Honestly, I really don't care, as long as it is a jet, glass, >30 tons....

That too, I am looking to get qualified for the next gig...

Some place that I can manage to & from with least amount of pain, some place I can survive reserve & live with the people.

What are you deadset on emirates?

Yes Emirates is one of the options..

The objective is to get out of the regional rat race ASAP. It all depends how the next 3-5 yrs shape out the industry..

If the hiring scenario at the majors looks conducive or If I can get into JetBlue or Virgin in the next 3-4 yrs great. If nothing is happening & Emirates or QR or EY call, then I wouldn't hesitate.

So, back to my original question, do you have any experience / suggestions on the commute from SMF...

SMF is the capital of CA, so there is a lot of business and government travel. SWA goes through there a lot so it should be a reasonable commute to anywhere.

Go online and start looking up flights...see who has direct flights to the domiciles of the airlines you're looking at.

Mesa has bases in the west, and SKW would most probably hire you after six months there.

Check out passrider.com- it's a handy reference for figuring out who flies where.

Yeah, join the AF and you can even get 4 under EACH wing. :D

GF

Come on maaaan, if SKW passed on him you think he'll do better with the AF selection board?

Depends. The AF will hire pilots with almost no flight time and not even a PPL. SKW may have passed on him if he was low on quality time (ie no CFI and 1500 hours of day VFR traffic watch).