Compass...PSA....Mesa...or....stay at Envoy?
04-10-2015, 06:01 PM
#21
Banned
Joined APC: Dec 2009
Posts: 236
Originally Posted by fishforfun
Thanks for the heads up. I am primarily looking at commuting to DFW so I don't want to commute for the wrong one. Mesa was a thought but I haven't heard anything good about the contract. I'm honestly not looking for an upgrade. I have TPIC from the military but want to stay current and get some 121 experience.
I commute, and I can tell you this.. Unless your wife is a very special woman, you should really avoid commuting... It will cause issues. Your QOL will increase 10 fold, and the single biggest stressor about this job will be removed. Really is an entirely different job if you don't commute, but you probably already know that.
I cannot suggest you come to Mesa, simply because I don't know how many more airplanes are coming... Always hear rumors, rumors that another 25 Ejets from United is a slam dunk, just can't announce it until the first batch is complete... If that is the case, come here and get your quick upgrade, otherwise stay at Eagle so you don't have to commute.
04-10-2015, 06:12 PM
#22
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Joined APC: Dec 2007
Position: Window seat
Posts: 5,191
Originally Posted by 3inthegreen
I'll be living in Dallas for at least the next 18 months, the Sea commute is further than Lax, the MSP wouldn't be bad id suppose.
When and where did you go to UPT?
Commuting is a grind. But you said Envoy would allow you to drive to work while your wife is in nursing school in DFW. But DFW isn't a crew base (per APC's airline profile page).
Last edited by Sliceback; 04-10-2015 at 06:19 PM. Reason: Added text
04-10-2015, 07:09 PM
#23
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Joined APC: Aug 2011
Position: Hoping for any position
Posts: 2,504
Originally Posted by Sliceback
When and where did you go to UPT?
Commuting is a grind. But you said Envoy would allow you to drive to work while your wife is in nursing school in DFW. But DFW isn't a crew base (per APC's airline profile page).
Commuting is a grind. But you said Envoy would allow you to drive to work while your wife is in nursing school in DFW. But DFW isn't a crew base (per APC's airline profile page).
04-10-2015, 07:11 PM
#24
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Thread Starter
Joined APC: Dec 2014
Posts: 678
I was Navy,Pensacola. I made it to Intermediate Jet when I dropped from the program due to the loss of my mother. Super grateful for the opportunity I was blessed with. But very excited to get out and have the flexibility I need in my schedule to be around a lot more, go and come as I please, and support loved ones back home.
04-10-2015, 07:34 PM
#25
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Joined APC: Apr 2009
Position: Courtroom
Posts: 177
When picking a regional, picking the one that you can drive to should be the #1.
All regionals suck, none are worth commuting to when one is growing in the base you live.
IMHO
All regionals suck, none are worth commuting to when one is growing in the base you live.
IMHO
04-10-2015, 10:07 PM
#26
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Joined APC: May 2013
Position: Satisfied
Posts: 379
Originally Posted by fishforfun
I'm honestly not looking for an upgrade.
Originally Posted by RB211
If that is the case, come here and get your quick upgrade,
04-10-2015, 10:40 PM
#27
On Reserve
Joined APC: Apr 2014
Posts: 16
Originally Posted by fishforfun
I'm in a very similar situation so I appreciate you asking the question with this detail. One question I have is why not XJT? They have have a DFW base that is supposedly junior to get right out of training. I have been leaning toward XJT because of this and I'm worried about Envoy collapsing completely. Sorry for the potential hijack....
04-11-2015, 05:13 AM
#28
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Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 462
Not trying to hijack, but what is one supposed to do if they do move on to a major gig as far as living in base? I know everyone says commuting is the ultimate sin, so are you supposed to pack up and move every time your regional moves domiciles, or when/if you get a major job just move to the next city?
I know several major guys who have been making the same commute I would for basically their whole careers, and they say it's not that bad if you get the right mindset to start with. Basically realize that not EVERY single time are you gonna make it home or get to commute up the day your trip starts.
I am not in a position to move, and will always have to be a commuter more than likely, but if I choose to go to a certain regional I'm looking at, it'll be a one leg(1hr) flight to base, with 7 flights on company metal a day. The only downside is, I have to drive 1:45-2:00hrs to get to whatever airport I decide to fly out of. Just thinking, if I do that awhile, then get on at a major, I'm gonna be going to a completely different city. So is one suposed to move each time?
I know several major guys who have been making the same commute I would for basically their whole careers, and they say it's not that bad if you get the right mindset to start with. Basically realize that not EVERY single time are you gonna make it home or get to commute up the day your trip starts.
I am not in a position to move, and will always have to be a commuter more than likely, but if I choose to go to a certain regional I'm looking at, it'll be a one leg(1hr) flight to base, with 7 flights on company metal a day. The only downside is, I have to drive 1:45-2:00hrs to get to whatever airport I decide to fly out of. Just thinking, if I do that awhile, then get on at a major, I'm gonna be going to a completely different city. So is one suposed to move each time?
04-11-2015, 05:38 AM
#29
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Joined APC: Feb 2015
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by 3inthegreen
Hey guys, I am asking for some help. Just looking for some fresh perspective and some outside opinions from people working at Compass, PSA and Mesa. I am not trying to start a war, I am not trolling, and I am certainly not making this decision based on some forum. I am just truthfully looking for some positive feedback. I was hired by American Eagle in 2011, picked up just under 500 hours part 121 before going on Military leave in 2012. My active duty time is ending next week and I need to quickly decide where to go from here. I have interviewed and received class dates for Compass, PSA, and Mesa all for the end of April. I left Envoy in good standing so I do have the option of going back to them as well. I have read through all 4 contracts, have read through the forums, now I just want to hear other pilot's thoughts on what you would do? When I get out of the military my wife and I are moving to Dallas as she was just accepted to nursing school. That being said, here are the pros and cons I have come up with.
Envoy Pro's.......Starting out with 4 year pay, a little seniority, driving to work, flow to AA (5-7 years is what I estimate), awesome travel benefits with AA
Envoy Con's.......Shrinking airline, net loss of 57 aircraft in the next 18 months, down to 2 bases, would still be on RSV as 5 year employee, upgrade time is probably 6+ years away, currently would be in the 89% of seniority list, still a chance they end up getting shut down, closing the door to Delta or United as I realistically won't get any amount of PIC time before the next decade.
Compass Pro's...... Growth-19 more E175's, no 50 seaters, Low upgrade times, (I figure 2 years for someone being hired today with 500 hours 121??), PBS, highest first year hourly pay, small pilot group, non wholly owned, keeps my options open to all 3 legacy carriers.
Compass Con's......Commuting to LAX, crappy travel benefits, contract is up for negotiations in 5 years, statistically I'm already on the backside of the hiring wave, owned by Trans States Holdings, hiring seems to be slowing (now paying for hotels, only going to be 5 in my class if I take it)
PSA Pro's.......Most Growth--76 More Aircraft, Lowest Upgrade time (I figure 18 months for someone being hired today with 500 hours 121??), SAP, longest contract-2023, great travel benefits AA, holding strong at 60-70 new hires a month.
PSA Con's.......Commuting to CLT or TYS, 35 50 seat A/C that will eventually be parked, closing the door on myself to AA, (No flow and can't apply off the street while at PSA), working for AAG management that destroyed Envoy (They certainly could do what they did to Envoy to PSA or PDT).
Mesa Pro's.......Driving to work, Growth (7 ejets, 7 CRJ900), not wholly owned so can survive by picking up new contracts should they loose old ones (unlike envoy), EFB, low upgrade time (I figure 2 to 3 years for someone with 500 hours 121), management that is scrappy and outside the box thinkers, keeping the door open to all 3 legacy carriers.
Mesa Con's........Worst travel benefits, lowest pay, weakest contract, roughest history (furloughed half the airline in 08), I am way behind the hiring wave for Mesa, lots of no shows for classes.
Let me know what I am missing. Thanks!!
Envoy Pro's.......Starting out with 4 year pay, a little seniority, driving to work, flow to AA (5-7 years is what I estimate), awesome travel benefits with AA
Envoy Con's.......Shrinking airline, net loss of 57 aircraft in the next 18 months, down to 2 bases, would still be on RSV as 5 year employee, upgrade time is probably 6+ years away, currently would be in the 89% of seniority list, still a chance they end up getting shut down, closing the door to Delta or United as I realistically won't get any amount of PIC time before the next decade.
Compass Pro's...... Growth-19 more E175's, no 50 seaters, Low upgrade times, (I figure 2 years for someone being hired today with 500 hours 121??), PBS, highest first year hourly pay, small pilot group, non wholly owned, keeps my options open to all 3 legacy carriers.
Compass Con's......Commuting to LAX, crappy travel benefits, contract is up for negotiations in 5 years, statistically I'm already on the backside of the hiring wave, owned by Trans States Holdings, hiring seems to be slowing (now paying for hotels, only going to be 5 in my class if I take it)
PSA Pro's.......Most Growth--76 More Aircraft, Lowest Upgrade time (I figure 18 months for someone being hired today with 500 hours 121??), SAP, longest contract-2023, great travel benefits AA, holding strong at 60-70 new hires a month.
PSA Con's.......Commuting to CLT or TYS, 35 50 seat A/C that will eventually be parked, closing the door on myself to AA, (No flow and can't apply off the street while at PSA), working for AAG management that destroyed Envoy (They certainly could do what they did to Envoy to PSA or PDT).
Mesa Pro's.......Driving to work, Growth (7 ejets, 7 CRJ900), not wholly owned so can survive by picking up new contracts should they loose old ones (unlike envoy), EFB, low upgrade time (I figure 2 to 3 years for someone with 500 hours 121), management that is scrappy and outside the box thinkers, keeping the door open to all 3 legacy carriers.
Mesa Con's........Worst travel benefits, lowest pay, weakest contract, roughest history (furloughed half the airline in 08), I am way behind the hiring wave for Mesa, lots of no shows for classes.
Let me know what I am missing. Thanks!!
04-11-2015, 05:45 AM
#30
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jul 2008
Position: Left
Posts: 1,809
I only read the first post.
Did you fly in the military? If so I wouldn't worry about the upgrade. Staying at Eagle with year 4 pay and a good schedule while driving to base would trump everything else.
Did you fly in the military? If so I wouldn't worry about the upgrade. Staying at Eagle with year 4 pay and a good schedule while driving to base would trump everything else.
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