First thing you need to understand is 11 days off is the minimum. So it's possible to have more days off than 11. Most of the hard lines do. Also, if you live in base and are on reserve, a lot of days and nights you are 'working', you're simply at home with your phone on. So when someone says they spend quite a bit of time at home, that's probably what they mean and as a commuter, I envy that.

Having said that, I was in your shoes up through last year. Maxed out on pay with basically regional captain pay. I came here knowing full well I'd be spending more time away from home than me or my family was accustomed too but given the fast movement in the industry, it would not only be worth it, given I have more than 20 years of flying still in front of me, I had to do it. The difference in potential income over my career is insane.

Being home only 11 days a month is a worst case scenario and you wouldn't be in that position forever. You'll move up the list, get off RSV and get more and more time off. And even when on RSV, while you're only off 11 days a month, there will be days you don't get used at all (can be rare depending on your base/equipment), or get called for just a quick day trip or 2 day, where you can go home after. Obviously being a commuter throws a huge kink into getting more time off. As a local line holder though, I'm only gone a max of 3 nights a week. Not horrible. And looking longterm to moving on to AA, the vast majority of trips that line holders do there are 3 day trips. Gone 2 nights a week isn't bad at all. But bottom line, there's no way around it. You will be gone in this career. You will miss important things at home that are out of your control. And I'm getting the vibe that its probably not going to be something you're willing to sacrifice your family for. Family is the most important thing in the world so there most definitely isn't anything wrong with that.

I would be a commuter and IAH doest have anything good right now. I hate even asking this but would MESA be better being in base vs commuting to DFW? I well aware of MESA so I don't need to be educated about them. I'm only thinking in term of commute vs not. I don't need their health insurance and 10k or so difference in pay doesn't make or break me since my better half has a good job. I feel all regional pilots should be paid more and giving in to MESA goes against all I stand for. If I do indeed take the leap I would like to be compensated fairly but I also don't mind a small cut if my home life would be better living in base.

No. There are only a couple of airlines that I would say aren't worth working for even if it means living in base. Mesa is one of them.

Disregard what Envoy pilots do and care for your peeps. Worry about the pilot stuff later after you've done your birthright duty.

So for the first 4-6 months you will be gone 10-11 days a month. It sucks. No bones about it. After that once you get some seniority you can get 14-16 days off per month. Day one you wake up and may be able to spend some time with the family and then you may get the evening on the last day. (Best case scenario).

How long does it normally take to hear back from the recruiter after completing the app?

Telling statement about the reputation of this site. Users that insult and use name calling should not be tolerated....but it continues.

It took one week, almost to the hour, from publishing the addendum to receiving an invite email. This was a few weeks ago.

I heard back the day after submitting my app.

This is technically untrue, the minimum is 8. I've been under 11 quite a few times due to JMs.

Yeah, you're right. I was referring to schedules though. I've been picking up OT on days off so I've been working less than 11 as well.

Feel sorry for you Ordinary...I'm new at just 8 months of flying the 175 as an FO but I've never had 8 days off. More typical is 13-14. 11 during reserve and that lasted 7 weeks. May be different now and I'm not familiar with other aircraft or bases.

ORD is in the guy's name. Since you're a 175 driver, you aren't exactly privy to what goes on in Chicago. You have it good, and others, not so much. I'll leave it at that.

I have had bad months, but so has anyone who has been here for years. I was on reserve for over 3 years when I upgraded but there were a bunch who did more than 5 years before me. Don't feel sorry for me or anyone, just keep perspective, and enjoy it when things are going well, because it likely won't always be the case.

It varies. Recruitment is swamped right now between normal apps, cadet apps, recent increase in current/former 121 apps, etc. It's a good problem to have.

It's always a good idea to follow up the application with a call or email. Adds a personal touch, allows you to get some questions answered, and will likely get your app pulled up quicker. Squeaky wheel gets the grease!

While I'll agree that Ordinary is a grumpy ol' codger, you have no effing clue dude. You lucked out and got in at a good spot at a good time. I'll leave it at that. You have no idea what other guys are dealing with in other statuses. You new dudes have no idea how good you have it.

Just a question for those that have a better idea about how things work in the 121 world (I am quite ignorant!), when the MIA base opens up (or any new base I suppose) is it possible that new hire classes will only be offered that? Anyone have a guess on the chance a new hire will be able to get LGA if they happen to be starting in October?

I know all of these things are highly subject to change but I'm just trying to get a rough idea of the way things might end up going.

Thanks!

So the way it works is crew planning tries to figure out where we are going to need pilots three months from now. That's a safe timeline from start of Indoc to finishing IOE. That being said just because we need people in Miami or DFW doesn't necessarily mean it will be offered to new hires.

The best way to determine your odds of getting a base is look at the historical base offerings since September of 2016. That's when hiring has picked up to its current pace following the roll out of bonuses.

It's important to point out that Envoy has a permanent seat lock on equipment for FOs unless your base closes then you are able to be displaced to any equipment and base that has room. If you are single and don't mind permanently living out of a suitcase the 145 offers the most flexibility with its 4 current bases and the potential for more coming with our new LOA. Every three months a vacancy bid had been posted allowing pilots that were given LGA on day 1 of Indoc to transfer to DFW. As of late our schedules have been fluctuating a bit as block hours are being shifted around the system with LGA and now miami opening up.

Hopefully this helps. In short I believe every new hire class since January has had LGA spots available. If you are younger then 26 there is a chance you could end up on the CRJ in ORD only.

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Thanks very much, very informative post. I am pretty young (24) and hoping for a NY base, planning to live wherever I am based but my family is all in the northeast. I know it can be hard to guess on stuff like that. Thanks for your insight!

Cheers

Just keep in mind, if you get CRJ, you'll be seat locked into that aircraft until you either upgrade or get displaced, so if you get it, be prepared to be stuck in ORD for a while. CRJs are on their way out, so displacements will be happening eventually, but I'd guess you'll upgrade before that happens. If you want NY, you need to bid the 145, as that's the only type we have there.. If you manage to avoid the CRJ, you'll have no problem getting LGA ERJ. Unfortunately, you are pretty young, so you may not have much of a choice :/

Got it, makes sense. I'm not picky about the type of airplane I end up in as long as it has enough wings, wheels, and engines to move around safely. Where I'm based is more important to me than the equipment type so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Thanks again!

I had to laugh, I'm in my late 30s. I guess that's an "ol' codger" to some people.

Please reread my comment starting at:

"May be different now and I'm not familiar with other aircraft or bases."

Where did I lose you? I used to respect your input and opinion here but seriously disappointed in your statement. Thought you were above this kind of attitude.

How old is too old?
 

I can achieve ATP 1500 at age 50...is that too old to start a 2nd career as an RJ guy and be able to eventually flow thru to AA? Would AA still hire a 55 y/o coming out of Envoy? Worst case, how likely is it to be passed over by AA due to my age and play out the string as an Envoy CA until 65?

On the "Glass Half Full" side...is it good to be an old dude for base/equipment selection?

Lots of guys in late 50s getting hired. Expect 8 years to flow

What the other guy said, plenty of guys in their 50s starting over the last few months and flow is currently around 8 years for a new hire and rising. But if you did wait it out for the flow, AA cannot pass you over for any reason, unless you have open disciplinary action from Envoy.

Think the record for flowthru was a guy who was going to turn 65 before hitting the line at AA....several with less than 1 year left when they flowed.

You want my opinion? Yea it is too old. Yea you will fly a plane I guess sure but your quality of life will be low as a junior pilot. You wanted it so I said it....

I wrote something similar and decided not to post.

The long and short of it is your flow will be at 58ish. Seven years at AA is what you are looking at. But your QOL isn't going to be very good!!

Anyone putting in a decent amount of effort should be able to get hired at AA/UA/DL way before their flow date. That includes the 50+ers

Maybe, maybe not. Still have to have the resume to be considered. Does he have college degree, clean history, etc.

Thanks for the good responses. I will be an empty nester by age 55 so QoL/Family life may not be as big an issue by then. Flying a plane beats sitting in traffic twice a day just to sit in a cubicle doing crap nobody cares about. Plus my QoL meter is calibrated differently after multiple overseas deployments.

I'm a retired USAF Nav with a MS in Aviation Safety from CMSU (UMC now). Getting a check from Uncle Sam each month helps the pay situation tremendously.

I think I can make this work, just needed some honest answers.

Then yes, if you have some hustle in you, and networking skills you'll be a good candidate for a major job in the next upcoming years.

I say go for it. Timing now is as good as it will ever be and it sounds like you have a good background to beat flow. Also, I think if you don't, you'll be kicking yourself 10 years from now. If you do try it and it doesn't work out like you expect, will you also be kicking yourself 10 years from now? I'm betting not, or you wouldn't even be here asking questions.

One thing I will say is, make sure you pick a regional you think will be a decent place to work for the long haul in case something happens to stagnate the industry.

Clean record is a given, but some of the other stuff....doesn't carry the weight it once did, and that will decline even more in the next 5 years. I remember when SWA required a 73 type rating, and Delta required you to be a mother f*cking astronaut.

Hello,
Former Envoy pilot here, can someone PM info on who I can contact to receive my training and flight records from my time there? Thanks.

Random Question
 

Does Envoy ever overnight in Chattanooga? If so, from which bases?

Envoy has, in the past, served CHA from ORD and DFW and done overnights there. We used to stay downtown, but now we're out in the 'burbs. At the moment, Skywest is operating the sole daily flight from ORD, and Envoy is operating 2 daily flights from DFW. I don't have the DFW bid packet in front of me right now, but based on the time flights arrive and depart CHA, I'm almost certain Envoy overnights 2 E-175 crews per night in CHA from DFW right now. This is all subject to change, as equipment and even regional partners are often swapped out on city pairs.