Hotspot

Just curious on what you guys prefer as far as these two Airlines go. Once I reach my minimums I'll have to make a choice for my first Regional and I'm leaning more toward Envoy at the moment but it seems like every Regional out there has extremely mixed reviews including Envoy. Going to a school that has a partnership with Envoy but is it worth signing an agreement with them before I graduate? Or should I hold out for a different Regional? Like everyone I want to upgrade quick and get to the majors and I know there's no way to predict the fastest way to do that but I want to at least enjoy my time as a first officer with my first Regional. My dream is Southwest and I know they don't have any flow programs from any regionals as far as I know. So would signing up with Envoy and then once i get the required experience to apply for Southwest shoot for them and if I don't make it I could still flow to American. Just want to get some input from anyone who's had experience with these two regionals.

billyho

Pick the one then that has the fastest upgrade time and then also pick the one that allows for the easiest commute to and from where you want to live.

GodIsGood

I would pick the one that will give you the best quality of life. One where you could live in base. Pick the regional where you wouldn't mind being stuck. There is no guarantee that you will get those highly competitive interviews at the majors.
The flow and upgrade time are similar at PDT and Envoy.

BRubble

I've looked into both and I'm leaning toward Piedmont. I have a buddy who just started there and he said the experience has been great so far. Upgrade time is the fasted and the flow is about to increase, too. Also, new hires are going into the jet now, so that probably seals the deal for me.

Wink

Flow maybe, upgrade time certainly not. I believe Envoy is upgrading 4/11 hires and we are awarding Captain positions to guys in training.

MKUltra

Honestly, by the time you finish school, the market will be much different and the wholly owns will look much much different a year from now. I wouldn't sign any agreement in this job market unless you need the money.

Envoy could end up being the lowest paid airline, or magpies may be hiring directly from college as they did in yesteryear.

Pedro4President

It's hard to argue against this. If you are on the fence the don't commit and see what it looks like later on down the road.

If you choose Envoy let's looks at what you pass up if you wait.

1. You start accruing vacation time. (Value if worked 30-40 hrs depending on if it's critical coverage.)
2. Health benefits.
3. Travel benefits.
4. 401k contributions at (3.5% of base pay starts one year from date of hire while you are in the pipeline)

These aren't by any means game changing items but if you live in DFW/ORD/NY and are going to choose Envoy then do the program.

Also, make sure the tuition assistance is a guarantee value of 15k. Don't want to leave money on the table.

HVYMETALDRVR

Look at both QOL (commuting, base, schedule, etc.) and upgrade time. They are the two most important IMO. Pay isn't great at any regional but you want to enjoy the ride with a decent schedule, get the loans paid down, and also to get TPIC to be more competitive. Don't get too wound up about the flow. Even if a Legacy doesn't call there are plenty of good corporate and contracting gigs that will scoop you up with a lot of TPIC. You could also go to China, to an ACMI, or wherever. FedEx and UPS pretty much all but require 1000 jet TPIC to even be competitive so the quicker you get there the better. If you spent 4-7 years sitting right seat waiting for a flow to restart at the bottom of the list, your missing out IMO. There is more to the industry.

Totally my opinion though. My goal is the quickest route to making enough money to be retired on the beach or boat, drinking beer collecting a check every month from my real estate business. I still want to fly of course, but I'd rather be flying float plane for fun in SE Asia or the Caribbean before my kids are grown, than to stand-ups in JFK or DTW struggling to pay off the mortgage and the boat, or even worse, alimony. Your mileage and life goals are probably different though, good luck in your decision.

billyho

You wanna make God Laugh? Tell him your plan.

DilsonWic

Only you can make this decision. Now watch the thread completely derail by a bunch of guys with measuring tapes, big trucks, and those balls dangling from the hitch.

Both places have their pros and cons. It all comes down to commute. Go to the place with the closest base.