Thinking of applying
 

What's it like? Do you love it. Do you hate it? Is Management visible or invisible?

It’s a regional my man. They all suck. The pay may be getting better, but don’t let it fool you… get in and out. It’s a means to an end. Find one that’s reasonably close, get what time you need, then bounce.


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RJ flying went from 4+ legs/day for crap pay and getting jerked around by crew scheduling to 4+ legs/day for OK pay and getting jerked around by crew scheduling.

Doesn’t matter what shop it is. Its all the same until you leave.

Choose the one that has a base closest to you. Only thing that really matters.

Exactly.


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Does anyone have anything helpful to say?

That is helpful. It’s preparing you for what the regionals are. Reserve is awful. Enjoy sitting at the airport 8 hours a day. Lines are typically 4 + legs with a lot of min crew rest. Scheduling, especially on reserve with mess with you constantly. They’re all the same. Pick one close to home. It’s a step above CFI’ing or flying pipeline. But not much. I guess we could lie and tell you it’s all roses and sunshine. It’s a means to an end.


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If you enjoy flying on someone else’s dime it’s totally acceptable, but it is a means to an end. Regionals are ‘iffy’. They come and go. History is full of once prominent regionals that disappeared. That’s why it’s a means to an end - a means of getting to a major that is too big to fail. And because seniority is everything and we are in the middle of a hiring wave, you want to do that as quickly as possible. So jump in, get max block hours possible, fill up those logbooks and start applying at the majors as soon as you have 500 hours of 121 time in, less if you are a female redhead.

Because once you get senior enough to start being in control of your schedule it’s actually a pretty good life. I have friends that make as much or more than a major airline pilot, but they are chained to their job. Yeah, I may be away from home more than them (although less so with every passing year) but when I’m off I’m really off, not on call, not available for emergencies, but off. And when I’m working? I’ve got a corner office with a clear view on the 3600th hundredth floor.

These are some of the most helpful, realistic comments youll ever see on APC!

Reserve time / Time off
 

I am curious how long would you be on reserve if you stay IAH? Also how are the schedules once you’re a line holder? How many days on average are you off between your trips? Asking with commuting in mind? I really appreciate all the advice everyone has gave on here.

I guess last question are any of the overnights decent or is all little towns like Huntsville Alabama and you’re staying at a Days Inn?

So far you all hate it.
what about Management? Good or bad?
how about training? Good or bad?

A pilot I know very well has recently departed C5 for UA, and he was in the training department there. He spoke very highly of the training department; full of people who really cared about the success of the class and were willing to put in the work if the students were prepared and had a good attitude. Y'know, a lot like being a CFI.

I only have this as second-hand information, though.

They are not AQP yet, but it's supposedly coming. I have no background in this so I can't shed any light for you on it one way or another.

I'm going into this eyes open; the pay raises for all the regionals lately certainly help, but none of us should fool ourselves - the job is designed to be a stepping stone. There are certain lifers at certain carriers and while I'm sure those guys are happy, they also meet a unique set of circumstances that allow for it to be so. They are the outliers, though.

While I'd love to have IAD, I'm going to try and work where there is as much flying as possible. Hopefully that's IAD.

I wasn’t overly impressed with the training. It may be better now, but it was long and pretty chaotic when I went thru. A lot of filler but no real meat. Instructors seemed lost, or at least happy to read right off slides with little real knowledge.

Sims were even worse. They give you lots of sims, but very little real instruction. I had a guy that had never flown this aircraft and never taught new jet students. Hell, I didn’t even know how to adjust the seat, but he just expected us to get in and know everything. I needed crayons. Again this was over a year ago.

As far as flying goes, IAH is the big one. They seem to be consistently above 7000 hours while IAD and DEN are around 1500-2000. DEN should go up a bit this winter… skiing and such. We’ll see.


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Everyone I’ve dealt with in the training department has been excellent and no one there is out to get ya or anything. Very smart group who does everything they can so you can succeed.

If I am unable to start until Jan 1 due to my current position, would you all recommend I go ahead and submit my app now or hold off?

Any current info on C5 training delays? C5 seeming like a better option than YV for me currently due to being able to hold IAH sooner (hearing 11-12 mo. footprint for YV).

I applied in July and was offered an October class date but they were pretty flexible if I needed to move it back. If they want you, they seem to want to work with you. There's no reason NOT to apply, since you can always say no.

Thanks for the help. How long is the CJO good for? When are they working in your ATP-CTP?

No delays here.

You’ll probably be 3.5-4 months indoc to finishing in the schoolhouse. They overtrained LCAs so you go straight into IOE that usually takes 1-2 weeks max. I had a great experience in ground school and they understand the typical fo is a cfi so if you apply yourself and study with people it isnt bad at all.

Lots of flying in Houston, and reserve is only a few months. Majority of trips are 4 day, then 3 day, then 2 day, with day trips being the smallest amount. It changes a fair amount tho season to season.

Back when I was applying (right before corona) the industry standard seemed to be 6 months. After that, you don't burn a bridge, but are expected to re-apply.

What’s the chance of getting DEN as base out of training, please? And how long the reserve gonna take over there?

I just got off 6 months of reserve in DEN


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Denver’s and Dulles flying is super low. Approx 2000 hours as compared to Houston’s 7000+. Denver supposedly will increase this fall… but apparently always drops in the spring. I don’t know. As a reservist that was ‘promised’ no reserve… 6 months hurt. Put me way behind my Houston brethren. I shoulda just switched to Houston.


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DEN is not looking good. The past several vacancy postings have had 0 DEN slots.

Yeah. I’m always very concerned they’re gonna close it down. Now that’s just me talking… but I’ve had an uneasy feeling for quite awhile now. And I’m not usually one to feel squeamish.


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C5 has been slowly taking over OO routes in DEN the last few months, DEN ops seem to be expanding?

How many 145's are they up to, and are they planning to continue to grow that fleet?

I don’t know about that. We’re lost routes like Helena and Flagstaff. I’ve seen zero new additions for the last 6 months. Not one. We lost 300 hours once again for September. We’ll see about October.


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It’s great here. No training delays and making as much per year as other regionals. Can’t beat it. Definitely a regional, but better than the alternatives from what I know. Everyone is great, and there’s even still a lot in store for the future of the conmpany

Mexico Flying
 

Does C5 actually fly to Mexico? During the interview I was thinking the recruiter said they did.

How commutable are the schedules? How many days off between shifts?

It does actually seem like a solid regional. I am suppose to start in November and pretty excited.

Between shifts?? 😂😂😂🙄
This isn’t Walmart or an Amazon warehouse! 😂

I didn’t exactly word that well Lol. How many off days in a row are you given between your 3 to 4 day trips. Thanks for your arrogant reply. I actually Opened that door didn’t I Lol.

Ok rook, normal average trips at any regional and most Lcc’s and majors is 3-4 days in length ON AVERAGE, followed by 3-4 days off ON AVERAGE. Off days will be at least your contractual monthly minimum, 12–14days ON AVERAGE.reserve vs line holder being the difference.Anything above that is a bonus.

Awesome, don’t sound too shabby. Right now I am flying a 1900 in Alaska and flying 100 to 130 hours a month loading/ unloading and fueling. I am so ready for the 121 world Lol.

Sincerely I appreciate the information. I didn’t know what to expect.

Yeah , I would hurry up and get away from that . It made me tired just reading it . Get on with any regional and you can kiss the loading/ unloading, fueling goodbye.

I am a rookie at 1400 hours now. So a month away from finally hitting 1500. The 135 world in Alaska will teach you a lot but it’s labor intensive Lol. I am ready for the good life. I got an offer from Commutair and Skywest. The pay at Commutair is sounding much better. Seems to be a really good opportunity. I like the idea of a class of 12 instead of 80 also.

Thanks for taking the time to share information. Any idea if Commutair is flying into Mexico?

I have a little more that 1500 and have finished my ATP. I want to apply on airline apps, how long is the wait to hear back? Mexico flying does sound great.

I heard back in like 3 weeks. The Interview was a few weeks later. It’s fairly quick but I do recommend applying now. They are very welcoming. My Interviewed for Flight Attendant and it took her a month to hear back but same experience as me. It was very down to earth and welcoming.

Commutair has not been flying to Mexico for the past 3 months. United chose to put the Mesa E175s for now. But it come and goes. C5 was flying to Tampico, Aguascallientes and Puebla only. Not so interesting.

Can anyone confirm / deny the bonus structure? Is it 25,000 for FO pro rated in each check? What are the pay back terms on it?

When does it start?

I asked the recruiter this same question earlier this week. If I am understanding a FO will get 20,000 sign on bonus after 60 days of employment with a 12 month commitment.
If the employee chooses to take the retention bonus you would be $5000 the first year which yes is paid monthly. Then year two you would get $25000 paid over a monthly time. Once you make captain it goes to $50000 bonus that they pay spread over the 12 months. The retention bonus is a 4 year commitment but if you medical out, age out, or go to United airlines the 4 years is voided. The sign on bonus is lump sum and only 12 month commitment.