I'm a C-17 guy recently off of Active Duty and just joined a guard unit. I live in Philly and am looking to build time at a regional but don't know which to choose. I've read stuff here in the forums about both Air Wisconsin and Republic which I'm obviously looking at because I'd like to avoid commuting if at all possible. Also I'm not necessarily as interested in time to upgrade because hopefully I will get hired by a major before I would upgrade at a regional.

Taking that into account...

Here's what I've read so far:
AWAC has an apparently amazing contract, good pay, insurance, cancellation pay etc. The future of the company also seems in jeopardy after 2015 which makes it a risky choice if I don't want to have to look for another job in a few months.

For RAH: there seem to be a number of disgruntled RAH pilots on the forums. That said there aren't a whole lot of people anywhere that say really good things about the company except that they fly 170/175s and AWAC flys CRJ-200s.

Things that carry weight in my mind: I'm looking to gain hours as fast as possible and don't fancy the idea of sitting reserve for a long period of time. I also have heard of a $7500 signing bonus at RAH and that they've gotten rid of their training contract.

However I don't want to work for a company that doesn't treat their employees very well (which really seems to be all regionals. So I guess I'm looking for the lesser of evils in that regard).

If anyone has anything to say for a pilot looking to be based in Philly and just wants to gain hours at a regional then any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

one word. Cancellation pay.

 

Another word : rigs. AWAC has it rah doesn't

 

If you don't mind me asking, what are your total times? Seems to me that being a C-17 driver and coming off active you should have enough time to bypass the regionals.

 

Total time is right around 1800 without mil conversion, 700 PIC and around 270 instructor. Magic number to get a call right now as a mil guy seems to be 2500 or so

 

Awac


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I would go with AWAC, because if you get stuck the pay is survivable. Republic will treat you great until you get out of training, and then the beatings will begin. It's not personal with Republic, it's just their business model. They are a very lean company, which is why things get crazy during distruptions.

 

Could not agree more.

 

I had a comfortable living as an fo at awac. You can pick up trips and do just fine.

 

Awac, no question. Contractual language being the biggest, and only real reason.