Envoy vs. the other regionals
#1
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Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 47
Envoy vs. the other regionals
I know this type of question is often asked and debated - I've read every thread in here and haven't found the answer based on my situation - so, I thought I'd ask and hopefully I'll get some solid advice.
I'm about to start interviewing for the regionals with an available for training date 1 Nov 2020 - so i'm basically 11 months out. I'm retiring from the army after 26 years.
First, what I think I should do - go to a regional with the shortest reserve, the most flying, quickest upgrade, and the best bonus. Here's my reasoning. I have 4700TT, roughly 2500 airplane, and 2200 helo. 1350 PIC/1975 TT in King Air 200. All but 525 of my FW time is military, the 525 is GA time. I have a masters degree and I'm a CFI/CFII/MEI. I would think that getting some 121 time would make me pretty competitive at the majors, but I really don't know.
My buddy tells me, go to Envoy or PSA, they have Flow and great AA travel perks. But, I just can't imagine not getting to a major before I would Flow. I will have to commute regardless of who I go with - I live in Austin and can't relocate right away.
Envoy is only a 2.5 hour drive to training, and I guess it's possible I could get DFW (although, from reading, it doesn't look likely). My other primary considerations are TransStates, ExpressJet, Republic - will consider anyone if it makes sense.
Both TransStates and Expressjet have large bonuses. TS-25K completion of IOE and 15K more at one year anniversary. XJT - 27K completion of IOE.
Republic/ExpressJet possibility of IAH (only 2.5 hour drive).
TS multiple direct flights to DEN, ORD, IAD - likely would get one of them.
TransStates almost no reserve.
One thing I really DON'T want to do is commute to reserve and not fly.
so... I'm hoping to get some legitimate advice. Thanks in advance.
I'm about to start interviewing for the regionals with an available for training date 1 Nov 2020 - so i'm basically 11 months out. I'm retiring from the army after 26 years.
First, what I think I should do - go to a regional with the shortest reserve, the most flying, quickest upgrade, and the best bonus. Here's my reasoning. I have 4700TT, roughly 2500 airplane, and 2200 helo. 1350 PIC/1975 TT in King Air 200. All but 525 of my FW time is military, the 525 is GA time. I have a masters degree and I'm a CFI/CFII/MEI. I would think that getting some 121 time would make me pretty competitive at the majors, but I really don't know.
My buddy tells me, go to Envoy or PSA, they have Flow and great AA travel perks. But, I just can't imagine not getting to a major before I would Flow. I will have to commute regardless of who I go with - I live in Austin and can't relocate right away.
Envoy is only a 2.5 hour drive to training, and I guess it's possible I could get DFW (although, from reading, it doesn't look likely). My other primary considerations are TransStates, ExpressJet, Republic - will consider anyone if it makes sense.
Both TransStates and Expressjet have large bonuses. TS-25K completion of IOE and 15K more at one year anniversary. XJT - 27K completion of IOE.
Republic/ExpressJet possibility of IAH (only 2.5 hour drive).
TS multiple direct flights to DEN, ORD, IAD - likely would get one of them.
TransStates almost no reserve.
One thing I really DON'T want to do is commute to reserve and not fly.
so... I'm hoping to get some legitimate advice. Thanks in advance.
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,656
I know this type of question is often asked and debated - I've read every thread in here and haven't found the answer based on my situation - so, I thought I'd ask and hopefully I'll get some solid advice.
I'm about to start interviewing for the regionals with an available for training date 1 Nov 2020 - so i'm basically 11 months out. I'm retiring from the army after 26 years.
First, what I think I should do - go to a regional with the shortest reserve, the most flying, quickest upgrade, and the best bonus. Here's my reasoning. I have 4700TT, roughly 2500 airplane, and 2200 helo. 1350 PIC/1975 TT in King Air 200. All but 525 of my FW time is military, the 525 is GA time. I have a masters degree and I'm a CFI/CFII/MEI. I would think that getting some 121 time would make me pretty competitive at the majors, but I really don't know.
My buddy tells me, go to Envoy or PSA, they have Flow and great AA travel perks. But, I just can't imagine not getting to a major before I would Flow. I will have to commute regardless of who I go with - I live in Austin and can't relocate right away.
Envoy is only a 2.5 hour drive to training, and I guess it's possible I could get DFW (although, from reading, it doesn't look likely). My other primary considerations are TransStates, ExpressJet, Republic - will consider anyone if it makes sense.
Both TransStates and Expressjet have large bonuses. TS-25K completion of IOE and 15K more at one year anniversary. XJT - 27K completion of IOE.
Republic/ExpressJet possibility of IAH (only 2.5 hour drive).
TS multiple direct flights to DEN, ORD, IAD - likely would get one of them.
TransStates almost no reserve.
One thing I really DON'T want to do is commute to reserve and not fly.
so... I'm hoping to get some legitimate advice. Thanks in advance.
I'm about to start interviewing for the regionals with an available for training date 1 Nov 2020 - so i'm basically 11 months out. I'm retiring from the army after 26 years.
First, what I think I should do - go to a regional with the shortest reserve, the most flying, quickest upgrade, and the best bonus. Here's my reasoning. I have 4700TT, roughly 2500 airplane, and 2200 helo. 1350 PIC/1975 TT in King Air 200. All but 525 of my FW time is military, the 525 is GA time. I have a masters degree and I'm a CFI/CFII/MEI. I would think that getting some 121 time would make me pretty competitive at the majors, but I really don't know.
My buddy tells me, go to Envoy or PSA, they have Flow and great AA travel perks. But, I just can't imagine not getting to a major before I would Flow. I will have to commute regardless of who I go with - I live in Austin and can't relocate right away.
Envoy is only a 2.5 hour drive to training, and I guess it's possible I could get DFW (although, from reading, it doesn't look likely). My other primary considerations are TransStates, ExpressJet, Republic - will consider anyone if it makes sense.
Both TransStates and Expressjet have large bonuses. TS-25K completion of IOE and 15K more at one year anniversary. XJT - 27K completion of IOE.
Republic/ExpressJet possibility of IAH (only 2.5 hour drive).
TS multiple direct flights to DEN, ORD, IAD - likely would get one of them.
TransStates almost no reserve.
One thing I really DON'T want to do is commute to reserve and not fly.
so... I'm hoping to get some legitimate advice. Thanks in advance.
Envoy has a wide spectrum of time building their first year and a lot depends on base, aircraft, luck and time of year. Some people barely scratch out 200 hours while others manage nearly 500. Your mileage may vary.
I dont know for sure how majors look at turboprop time vs jet time, especially given yours is all military. Hopefully someone can hop on here that knows that aspect of it and help you out. Best of luck.
#3
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Dec 2012
Posts: 290
I think your start date is too far into the future for any advice you receive here to be meaningful. The industry is dynamic, especially at the regional level, and what is true today in terms of how long you’ll sit reserve, how much you’ll fly, how long it will take you to upgrade, etc, will most likely not be true one year from now. If I were you, I’d spend this year watching the industry, try to note what the trends are, who’s growing, who’s shrinking, etc, and in 9 months or so you can start applying to your regionals of choice. Good luck!
#4
I’ve got some perspective with both companies (Envoy and XJT) from looking through a prior military lenses. Both are Mil friendly, Envoy is more appreciative of Mil.
Honestly, it’s a wash between the two, and not a bad fit for your situation. XJT has great training and movement is starting to pick up over there. Envoy has a ton of Army folks, so that is a support system that could be considered beneficial. RTP guys seem to do fine here. The movement at envoy is good too. I don’t see TS as stable enough to commute that far.
XJT offers a shot at an early UAL interview, Envoy offers the insurance plan of the flow. I feel either place would be great while you build 121 for OTS legacy interviews. Envoy will get you the 121 PIC faster which could be important to supplement the king air time. Both offer some bonus money. Both require considerable contract improvements.
I can’t speak much on republic, depends how likely you can get the iah base, if there is one.
Overall I think XJT is better QOL still over Envoy.
Good luck and enjoy the transition!
Honestly, it’s a wash between the two, and not a bad fit for your situation. XJT has great training and movement is starting to pick up over there. Envoy has a ton of Army folks, so that is a support system that could be considered beneficial. RTP guys seem to do fine here. The movement at envoy is good too. I don’t see TS as stable enough to commute that far.
XJT offers a shot at an early UAL interview, Envoy offers the insurance plan of the flow. I feel either place would be great while you build 121 for OTS legacy interviews. Envoy will get you the 121 PIC faster which could be important to supplement the king air time. Both offer some bonus money. Both require considerable contract improvements.
I can’t speak much on republic, depends how likely you can get the iah base, if there is one.
Overall I think XJT is better QOL still over Envoy.
Good luck and enjoy the transition!
#6
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Joined APC: Jun 2019
Posts: 47
I do intend to apply to the majors/LCCs but I’m not sure how they look at my time. Some people tell me I’ll likely get a call from a major, others say I need the jet time. Also, I don’t have my ATP yet. I do have the written done, and will probably get the practical knocked out on my own. If it seems like the regionals are needed, then I want to make sure I approach that with the right goal in mind.
#7
I think your start date is too far into the future for any advice you receive here to be meaningful. The industry is dynamic, especially at the regional level, and what is true today in terms of how long you’ll sit reserve, how much you’ll fly, how long it will take you to upgrade, etc, will most likely not be true one year from now. If I were you, I’d spend this year watching the industry, try to note what the trends are, who’s growing, who’s shrinking, etc, and in 9 months or so you can start applying to your regionals of choice. Good luck!
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jan 2018
Posts: 174
I do intend to apply to the majors/LCCs but I’m not sure how they look at my time. Some people tell me I’ll likely get a call from a major, others say I need the jet time. Also, I don’t have my ATP yet. I do have the written done, and will probably get the practical knocked out on my own. If it seems like the regionals are needed, then I want to make sure I approach that with the right goal in mind.
Id ask around in those forums of what the odds are and how competitive your times are since you have the hours and military training. American tries to take as many military guys as they can get.
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