Palomarracer

Well after weeks reading 100s of pages on this forum and now being more confused than ever I finally decided to make my first post, so go easy on me lol.

Here's what I need help with, the horrible question...which regional should I go to? Here's the info everonyes gonna ask me anways;

- 21 years old, living in San Diego, CA
- no degree, 1250TT, C206 Mapping Pilot, CFI
- Single and no kids....ever.
- I wish to stay in SD living at home to save money and would ideally like an LAX base or somwhere easy to commute to.
- Currently I like Compass, Skywest, Gojet, and Republic

Questions:
- I understand comuting from SD should be pretty simple but don't know how that works exactly
- How does commuting work while on reserve (2 hour callout)
- Any other options you guys thing are better
- Should I move somewhere else? I like Philly...
- And lastly what your opinions are lol, I could defintly use some advice and help on this.

Thanks for the help, I'm sure everyone's tired of these same questions but like I said weeks of reading and I'm still confused.

CaptYoda

1. Your best option is not to commute if you can help it. It will improve your quality of life. If you like Philly, I think several options are available. Look at pilot domicles posted on APC profiles and threads. Living at home will save a lot of expenses but unless your airline has an SD base, you have to consider commuting.
2. If you do commute, you are responsible to make yourself available at your base or origin of flight at sign in. You get there either by driving, flying on your own airline or else requesting the jumpseat on another airline.
3. The 2 hr call up is just that. When you get a call and answer, they have to give you a minimum of 2 hrs to get to the airport. Sometimes you get lucky and the flight scheduled is more than 2hrs away. So while on Reserve you need to be 2 hrs away. If you have a stretch of RSV days and commute you generally will be in base during that time unless you can drive it in 2 hrs. Also, different regionals have different commuter policies which you would need to explore.
4. What are your long term goals? Are you planning on ever getting a degree? Major airlines usually reguire a 4 year degree. However, if you go to a "direct flow" airline without an interview (Envoy, Piedmont, PSA) you might be able to bypass the college requirement. Considering your low time, a 6 year flow should not be an issue.
5. As far as I know none of the airlines you mentioned offer a direct flow.
6. The market is pretty good right now and at your age even if you make a choice and regret it, you can very easily swich to another airline without much issue since you have your age on your side. Just make sure you make it through training. It will be a big change and jump from your current position.
7. Good luck!

Palomarracer

Thank you so much for your reply, I don't want to get a degree but am not oposed to it in order to get where I want. Eventually I'd like to do long haul flights (LAX to China) Type stuff but have no problem going to something like jetBlue, Frotnier etc...

The main reason I didn't consider airlines like PSA, Peidmont, and Envoy is the fact that id have to move somewhere to take the job and there extremely low pay makes that very difficult. I also travel all over at my current job and can only see myself living in LAX,SEA,PDX, or PHL.

But I suppose I might have to move regardless of where I go which makes me want to take the highest paying job with a prefred base (republic at PHL) but I mean they just declared bankruptcy sooo??? I don't know lol. Is that a bad move?

How relasitic is it to get any of those bases out of training?

And so what hapoens? I finish training, they give me a base, then I pack up, move out there, and cross my fingers? Lol

Also say I stay in SD, go to training, and get phl base? I'm kinda screwed and would have to move either way, guess I should just plan on having to move. Plus I'd never make a 2 hour callout from SD to LAX its about a 2 hour drive without traffic and common when's the last time LA didn't have traffic haha

CaptYoda

I would not worry about the prospect of long haul flights at the moment. Based on your current experience as far as airlines go, regionals are your best and probably your only bet.Why not apply to the regionals that you have an interest in and then decide once you get offer(s). Talk to the recuriters about domicles as the awards change from month to month. For example some domicles may go junior/senior for a variety of reasons. Generally domicles are awarded before training is complete and you should know early on. The awards are sometimes based on age, SSN etc and are diffferent for each airline. If it is age based you will probably be the juniormost in your class and will get the last pick. But bid what you want and not what you think you might get. You have no idea of the motivation for someone else to bid something. Sometimes even the junior guy gets his/her pick. Once you get the award you can decide whether you want to move to base, commute or quit. I think right now Endeavor and Republic pay the best and the AA regionals just added a bonus of $15,000. So you are looking at between 40-50K your first year. For someone with no family, it should be very manageable unless you are carrying a lot of debt.

HighFlight

What Yoda said. And I'll add - Get your degree. You can thank me after.

At the end of the day, how do you set yourself apart from other pilots and monkeys? Step one is to have a degree.

CaptYoda

Yes at 21, you have plenty of time to get that degree, and with no kids, you have no excuse! Lots of courses can be taken on-line and can be transferred to a traditional program if/when needed. As the previous poster said, unless you have a direct flow to a major airline, you have to interview for those long haul jobs you mentioned, and when you interview you have you distinguish yourself in a positive manner. If you don't have a degree and other equally qualified candidates do, guess who gets the job?? Also don't forget community service is an area that is also highly considered by some airlines.

I have two very good friends at AA who do not have college degrees. They got on via the flow agreement but had to spend many many years at Eagle before they came over (between 15-20 years). However, nowadays the flow is advertised as 5-6 years but can change with all the hiring and if growth slows down.

Farmlover

Come to endeavor get paid the most and get your degree on the side as you will have a line within a month with plenty of time off.

Honda400F

Go to Compass. You'll more than likely end up at LAX.

Palomarracer

Once again thanks for the replys, I'll probably end up going to republic, skywest, or compass. Not really to fond of endevors bases, plus for whatever reason I'd rather the the ERJ then the CRJ.

I love the idea of living in Philly but I'm slightly worried about working for republic do to there very recent bankruptcy, anyone want to chime in there lol?

And as far as the degree I figured if have no choice but to get one eventually while I'm sitting left seat at a regional. I still thinks it's possible to get to somewhere like jetBlue, frontier, or spirit without a BA, but like you said im young so why not.

CaptYoda

At 21 I would not be too worried about which regional you pick or which airplane you fly. It seems like you already know where you would like to live. Apply to those airlines. Don't assume that you will get offers from everyone.
I am worried that you seem reluctant to educate yourself further. Airlines come and go, it's the way of the industry. Your education stays with you forever and a well educated,informed and articulate person always does stand out in a crowd. At 21 and 1250 hrs you should be focusing on improving yourself in all areas (flying skills, personal development, education).