With 4 flights a day to ORD between UA and AA and flights to DFW to get to and from training I don't think it would be awful. Getting LGA to start would be horrible but temporary. The only thing you have to worry about is getting runway limited on both the 200's and 145's and the other jumpseat problems that come with CG and MLW sometimes. The 700 doesn't have those issues besides keeping it off the grass from time to time in COU.

 

What’s the horrors starting at LGA as reserve or line?

 

Two leg commutes is the horror. May not be as stressful with positive space for 3 months after IOE, but still hell on the job for a two leg commute.

Is LGA do-able from COU? Yes. Is it advisable, especially after 3 months positive space runs out and dealing with current Envoy Rsv rules? You won’t understand until you deal with it. You can always put in a base transfer request to ORD or DFW on the E145.

From what I see on the CRJ RSV list you may not get to fly much being on bottom of the RSV list. It’s currently loaded. Your chances of getting the COU overnights on Rsv or as a line holder on a dying fleet gauntlet will be slim to none, and it will not make a difference in your QOL being on the CRJ.

Take the 145 or 175 would be my recommendation. You will get to fly and build some experience/ SIC time needed for upgrade.

 

You will not get to fly on the 145. 175 is really the only hope a decent QOL and getting hours first year unless you stay in NY or go to Miami which are comparatively jr bases on the FO side. If you wanna make the heroes journey LGA-ORD-DFW expect to spend many months on reserve.

 

Depending on where you are a two leg commute to LGA for a line COULD be "better" than a one leg commute to reserve. It's not a guarantee but it's definitely something to look at.

Let's define "better" - more time at home and more flight time. Getting to work will be easier because you are a D2T. However getting home will be fairly difficult.

I'm just passing along information my FOs have told me. I don't commute.

 

Just drive to STL or MCI if you need to get to LGA. What are those like 2 hour drives? Way better than a 2 leg commute.

 

I was 2 leg commuting to LGA. Very stressful. It’s difficult with all the deadheads between ORD and LGA. Along with all the AA pilots that come at the last second and take the jumpseat. Sometimes I’d even 3 leg commute it just to get there a few times even with the A12s. And it’s not like I was coming from some tiny airport to get to work either. The A12s do not give you a confirmed seat all the time. Most of the time you’re just put you as a revenue standby. The lowest priority of too. So there would be times I wouldn’t get on with an A12. I’ve even had a confirmed seat taken from me due to so many deadheads and passengers. I’d say in LGA you’ll be on reserve at least 5 to 6 months. Hard to predict the future. Just going off my recent experience.

 

Good point with the D2T and Rsv QOL vs “Better” QOL as a Line Holder (for Flight time to upgrade, known trip schedules, better options to plan life & family time around, ability to trip trade, P2P trade, more OT options, more Per Diem/overnights, less expenses on crash pads, also paid block guarantee if Flight CX or a reassignment whichever is greater).

Toss up for a NH what is offered day 1 & where he/she ends up.

Here at Envoy your QOL is not at all dependent on your seniority, overall what you will fly & where you will be based. The “gotcha-gotcha-wink-wink” is they will walk into day 1 indoc not knowing where they stand until they show up for class to await their fate and QOL for the next 1+yr.

No wonder DEC’s eligible pilots are going elsewhere vs coming here. With so many good options in the industry offering “better” now, I doubt we could hire 30+ per class (60+ per month) again if we tried under current offerings.

 

Speaking of going elsewhere....

You guys hear yet how ExpressJet lost 75+ CA’s to Kalita in *3 or 4 days*. Impressive. “Better” options for DECs. Another example of knowing or having a sure thing before indoc vs an unknown base and unknown-equipment until day 1 indoc here.

Envoy should be more transparent to NHs/DECs so they know where they will fall IMHO. These are issues I’ve heard and why people come here complaining and sounding like ungrateful irresponsible millennials that did not do their research on APC.

This place is not half terrible,yet still it has so much potential to be better. I came in at the right time, with the right equipment/base for better QOL than many others.

For those who will say shut up, they had it worse. My response will be: Shouldn’t you try to make this place better for the next guy after you? Or would you rather get yours and pull the ladder up because it’s a “regional” and every NH must get screwed and pay their dues to the company like you did?

 

Yeah the espressjet DEC pool has come to an end (mostly) for Envoy given the Kalitta preferential hiring for that group of pilots.