I'm not reluctant or unwilling to get a degree, it just comes down to being able to pay for it.

Also skywest seems inticeing for there stability as a company seeing as I will probably be at a regional for longer than most do to having to get a degree.

One question though. Let's say I pick skywest and got Idk let's say SFO base? I can easily commute there from San Diego but how does that work if I'm on reserve? Would I have to find a way to stay up there for that time? Like a crashpad or something?

 

Based on what I am reading don't delay that education part.
Regarding being on RSV, here is how it goes--If you are on RSV you will be given a monthly schedule with X number of days of RSV. You are expected to be available on the days you are on RSV and for the time period that you are assigned RSV. If you have a 2 hr call up, you need to be able to report to duty no later than 2 hrs if required. If you are assigned a trip then you fly the trip and when you are done with the trip, scheduling will either put you back on RSV, give you another trip or release you if it's your last day on RSV. How you manage RSV living is entirely up to you. Some guys get hotels, some crashpads and I knew I guy who lived in an RV in the employee parking lot during his RSV stint. Just make sure you are available when called. Some airlines offer hotels for a number of days for commuters. I mentioned earlier that each airline has a different commuter policy and so it would be best to explore that as well.

 

Another thing to think about that so few do, especially when they are young and "bulletproof", is the inability to get a medical. All of us are just one medical exam away from flying a desk. I know people who cannot obtain a 1st class, and therefore will never be a CA. I know people who lose their medical totally, and can never fly again. And THAT is why the degree is so important. Sure, it helps with the airline career, but what will you do after you fall off a ladder while painting your mom's house, or that shell casing ejects improperly and burns your eyeball, or you slip and fall getting in the shower, and your arm is damaged beyond fly able repair?

So many people are caught up in that trap that need not be, if only they had prepared better. You CAN afford a degree; just do it one or two classes as a time, start yesterday, and work on it until you get it done. It may seem today as if it does not matter, but trust us when we tell you that it can matter a whole heap-ton more than you think.

 

APC can be a pain sometimes, but listen to all these guys.

DO YOUR DEGREEEEEEEEEE!!! Flying is important, but a degree is more important. If you want to fly a US Carrier that do long hauls you will need a degree. Unless you want to fly for Atlas, Kalitta, Skylease, etc. you won't need one, but their QOL is a little bit different than flying passengers.

 

Never delay an opportunity to get an education. That's the ticket for plan B. Without it life can be much harder although not impossible.


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Once you're in the airline system (CASS), you are allowed to get a seat, including the cockpit jumpseat, on virtually any American based airline as long as there is a seat available after all paying customers and sometimes after employees of that airline. So for reserve with a 2 hour call out you will need to commute to your base and hang out in case you get called. You'll need to do it for every day you are in reserve even if you never get called. This is why crash pads were invented.


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http://www.passrider.com/reservations/advanced-search/

This will give you an idea of the flights to and from where you will need to fly. You will typically get priority on your own company metal; lower priority on other airlines (OAL). For example, if you fly for a Delta Connection carrier, all DAL pilots have priority over you when non-revving, but you will most likely have priority over them when flying in the jump seat.

As stated, if you are on 2-Hr call reserve, you have to be at the airport within 2 hours. So unless you live in base, you'll need a hotel room or crash pad to base from. 12-Hr call out means you could be at home and commute in when called, provided you live somewhere that serves your domicile airport.

 

Get your degree.

 

I would recommend CPZ, or SKYW (not sure how jr LAX, SEA, & PDX are there, maybe an SKYW emp can chime in) if you want to stay on the west coast but as been stated get your degree. It is definitely possible to get on at a major without a degree but you are seriously hurting your own chances.

If you dont intend on getting the degree and like Philly, i would recommend looking into PDT. 15k bonus puts our pay close plus or minus a few other regionals starting pay and you would upgrade once you get 1k SIC/2500 TT. Company says you'll flow in 3-5 years but 6-7 is more realistic for a new hire. Regardless, for your situation 27-28 and at a legacy would be unbelievable.

 

Your top pick should definitely be Gojet! Gojet is the home of the best of the best, the brightest pilots in the industry, the shining star on the hill!

Of course I am kidding. If you meet a Gojet pilot treat him with respect because he is putting up with a lot. Don't criticize him for going there because if he knew what it would be like he never would have gone. Gojet is currently bribing their pilots to get guys to go there (like many) but don't believe anything that you are told that is good about the airline, except the following. The planes are fairly new and the flight attendants, although mostly below average in looks, are very nice. Unfortunately, they don't fix the planes and there is usually a long list of deferrals. One July I flew 19 days and on 8 of the days I had no APU, hot and miserable. They use checkrides to discipline or get rid of people. They are very liberal in flunking, not just the guys they don't like but also the guys they like. That makes it harder for guys to leave to go to a major. On your last trip don't be surprised to find that they have already taken you out of CASS and you have to buy a ticket home. I ended up taking a train for $27 but it was a 5 hour ride. They also cut off my medical coverage 15 days before I actually left. They can be just as bad to most of their check airman as they are to the line guys.

Compass has the same owner so if it is not as bad as Gojet it may be heading that way.

Skywest treats their people well and is highly respected in the industry for their training standards. When a Skywest guy gets an interview at a major he is usually hired. On the other hand they don't let people through training who don't meet their standards. But for those who don't make it they will get a quick call from Mesa.

Since you will be an FO for 3 years or so you should go with Skywest and you can stay in San Diego. Get your degree from a reputable university like San Diego State. You might be able to save by taking community college courses and transferring some credits over.