Flow is irrelevant, in 5 years regionals may not even exist because of the vacuum that will be created due to mainline retirements.

Wow really? He lives in CA. I wouldn't consider anyone but Skywest or Compass. There are a lot of Compass guys saying Skywest now that things have slowed down.

Flows are a joke. Republic is a complete mess. Skywest training is not that difficult. Yes there are failures, but mostly because they are hiring anyone who walks in the door. I have gone through both CRJ and ERJ training. Both are great programs.

I have been at Skywest about 18 months. I have moved up 500 numbers and have over 1000 below me. We seem to be the only company taking on more flying while everyone else is struggling to keep what they have.

I think Compass is your best option. My humble opinion


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I think it's a little disingenuous to say that flows are a joke... I would argue with you that it is yet to be seen if flow-up programs that many wholly-owned airlines have in place will work long-term. But at the current metrics, if you don't work for PSA, PDT, or Envoy, you can kiss working for AA goodbye. That leaves UA and Delta. And Delta statistically hires more ex-mil than almost any other.

That being said, I do not know that any of the above mentioned airlines would be a good fit for the OP unless he wants to endure a hellish commute to an east coast base. I don't think Envoy is a terrible choice, I just don't think the movement they are advertising will happen the way they say it will, so go in with both eyes open if that is what the OP chooses.

The quick upgrade has ended at Compass from what I understand, and I don't really know anyone there to ask. SkyWest I've heard is a good airline to work for, but movement is still slow and the OP would be at the back of the big hiring wave. I wouldn't go to Mesa either. Low pay and hiring wave ending there as well.

I think whoever said Republic as an option is delusional. RAH (again, in my opinion) would be a gamble right now at best. It is widely known that they apparently can't afford the new contract's pay scale long term and there have been rumors that mainline isn't willing to renegotiate. I think RAH will go through a restructuring (read: bankruptcy) period to shed its 50 seat flying and to renegotiate. Lots of turmoil there and a relatively stagnant seniority list.

If I lived in California, I'd probably fly for SkyWest. They are a big company and will likely be able to weather the coming storm the next few years will bring. It's kind of a bummer for west coast pilots, not nearly as many opportunities as on the east coast.

That's the kind of answer I'm looking for, someone from the inside that is aware of what it is to be a pilot at those companies

Thank you

Skywest is the only real option in the regionals.

Envoy will view you as a piece of meat and not as a person. Skywest will treat you with respect.

Flows are designed to keep those who are senior and about to leave in their current position at the regional an extra year or 2. Flows are a way to pay people without it costing any money. Flows have been around for 30 years and usually end before the actual flow occurs. In 1987 there was the Pan Am Express flow that ended when it was sold to TWA. A few guys flowed but they all could have gone to a major at the time anyway.

How long did the eagle guys sit before they flowed?

I would steer clear of any regional besides Skywest. I expect most future contracts to go to Skywest. Delta, United, American, and Alaska all seem to be sending their flying there and very little anywhere else right now.

AA loses over 2000 pilots in the next 5 years alone. Retirements increase dramatically after that. If you think all or even the majority of the replacements will come from the wholly-owneds, then you have a poor understanding of statistics. This all assumes they can keep hiring, which they can't. Same goes for Delta. They have the luxury of being pretty picky for now. In 5 years they will be hiring whoever they can get their hands on.

I wouldn't call that an accurate description from the majority at Skywest.

Ok wel then can you please add to the discussion what you think would be more accurate? Thanks

Problem is that you won't know if you made the right choice until 5 years after you make it. With the regional game, since you don't own the flying it can get shifted at anytime. Compass is nice since all their west coast flying is junior, but that could get taken away or shifted back east and then you would be commuting.

I have never worked for anyone but SW, but to say they treat you with respect seems a little off to me. Spend any amount of time on reserve and you will never feel like you are treated with one ounce of respect. I think back in the day things were different, but now you are just a number and there is no respect between pilots and crew scheduling. Again, I think all regionals are the same but management here does not respect pilots.

That being said, I wouldn't recommend Republic to anyone. BB is an idiot and banking everything on the 1,500 hour rule will get repealed or changed. I don't see that happening and I don't see them doing anything to make that place worth going to. SW is getting a lot of flying and I know a ton of CA's that have offers or class dates. I see tons of movement here in the future.