Any trend of where the majority of DECS are coming from?

I can’t Imagine where since all the other places have raises in place, or there are other competitive places to go as a DEC…. Ie LCC, ULCC, Legacy, cargo or just about anywhere, other regionals included. In other words, if qualified as a DEC for envoy, you are also qualified to work at literally most other places in the industry.

There will be a handful that DEC makes sense for base, QOL, just want to eventually work for AA, but progression wise for the rest, I do not understand.

this is not 5 years ago when the TPIC was a hard fast requirement.

 

The most recent class, all DECs ended up in DFW.

 

Pretty sure he wasn't asking where they are going.

 

No idea. Probably around 10 cadets, mostly DECs I believe.

They are filling 2 classes in Nov and 1 in Dec so far. Im headed to training on. In 10 days.

 

Was this an “orientation”, or was this actually indoc and training with bid assignments? Orientation isn’t a good indication of actual numbers in training as it isn’t really constrained. “Training” has always begin on Mondays.

 

It was orientation, get on the payroll day, 3 indoc dates mentioned and assigned out. Always subject to change like everything else in aviation. 15 Cadets and about 65 pilots in the room. The age and experience of the DECs varied quite a bit. I spoke to a few of the cadets. Glad their wait is over. Good for them. The journey begins... It sounds like the company was able to add the Cadets at the last minute.

 

Everyone's circumstances are different. It doesn't make it right or wrong to become a DEC somewhere. While I didn't speak with everyone in the room there were some former ExpressJet guys, some coming out of retirement and some jumping ship from other regionals.

ULCC doesn't work for me. I think it is a great option for others. I am not saying you are judging folk's decisions. It doesn't matter to me.

I have been in the industry long enough to see it change over and over again for better or worse. Kudos to the 1-2 year FO's that can make the jump to a major. This simply did not exist decades ago. Be grateful and humble if "you" end up being one of the few whose career is a straight line upwards.

 

I’d second the last comment, and that everybodys situation is a little bit different. A lot of the guys were in their 50s and even if they went to a major now, they be sitting bottom for the rest of their career and never hold a line as a captain. Now that the pay is good at the regionals it might make more sense for them, especially with the longevity match to go to Envoy. And since the American wholly owns were the first to offer the raises, I think there’s still people that got a CJo from that several months ago. If you’re still in your 30s, then it probably makes sense to get to a legacy, but, I know for myself, I would probably rather be making 150 at Envoy, home-based, then commuting to Newark at United for 250.

 

15 cadets
About 30-40 DEC
The rest HT FOs

Tentative EJR175 only, class dates
11/14
11/28
12/12….respectively referred to listing above

 

Real estate is location, location, location. This business is timing, timing, timing. You can decide when/if you want to get into the business and some of where/when you go someplace, but if you don’t have what you need experience wise when the “right” company is hiring, doesn’t help you and because one never knows if it was the right time until it’s passed and really you just have to jump in and hope.

Those regional FOs that made it to the majors after a couple of years were in the right place at the right time. I can assure you that won’t be happening in twelve to sixteen months.

Not everything is for everybody. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Sure there may be better places, but it still all boils down to the individual. One’s family situation plays a big role in what works for them. “Best” airline probably isn’t the best if it means a commute when you could live in base with family if working for a different airline.