Hey guys, I'm a current E175 FO at SkyWest. Looking at XJT. I'm DEN based but will be moving back east in about a year.

I have a good chunk of CC debt and with my expensive rent in Denver, seems like I'll never dig myself out. The 27k bonus would be an easy way out.

The way I see it:

Pros of going to XJT:
1. Bonus. Pay off my debt. Save for house down payment.
2. Career progression with United.
3. Seems like a good contract.

Pros of staying at SkyWest:
1. Upgrade way sooner, but will be LGA or ORD based and will have to move anyways.
2. Won't have to start over with seniority
3. Won't have to go through initial again and fly the 145.

I'm not sure if/when I'd be able to fly the 175 at XJT but that would make the move a lot easier.

That bonus is a big motivating factor for me. Would I be shooting myself in the foot by leaving?

Thanks.

 

I jumped regionals... you will always wonder “what if I stayed”. You have to get over that.. because it will haunt you at some point... if your going to go. Get in now. ny waffling a few months could make a huge difference in upgrade time and QOL... my main concern about going to XJT is, UA i scoped out. And GoJet just pulled a hail marry with 50 aircraft for UA. Even though XJT was “purchased” (somewhat) by UA.. not leaving a lot of room for growth for XJT..

 

Couldn’t you make that extra 27K by taking the first upgrade at SKW? Upgrade to DTW CRJ CA, buy/rent a cheap house, fly hard, PIC, get hired at a major.
Debt can be major life sucker, it’s good you see it for what it is and are working a plan.

 

A few things that don't seem to make sense to me.


1. If you are going to be moving back east anyway it seems like the expensive Denver rent will soon be going away regardless.

2. Another type rating is not a negative for moving on, it's a positive.

3. Starting at the bottom again starts you at the bottom of another FO Payscale.

This seems to come down to a decision about selling your current seniority for $27K and a new type rating. So how bad do you need the money, now, how much of a salary hit will you take, and what's the difference in time it will take you - right now today - to upgrade at each regional?

 

Didn't you just get hired at OO?

 

Add ALPA and growth to the pro list. Make the switch.

 

I was hired in June. It would be a tough desicion to leave. Trying to do what's best.

 

Thanks for the input. I'm thinking that staying and upgrading would be a better plan.

 

Growth went to GoJet as 145's get parked for the 550's.. Eventually.

OO gets the next batch of 25 175's so it's gonna be awhile before you see growth.

 

I actually agree with you for once.
The GoJet announcement means that UAL has not changed their ways. They will continue to play one regional off against the other. Anyone hoping for some UAL homerun at XJT is fooling themselves. Just as ASA lost 50 seat flying to Endeavor and SkyWest and was fed a line that it was good news, XJT will lose 50 seat flying to GoJet. Yet somehow the lifers will convince themselves that it’s good need as a paltry number of -175’s show up.
For new hires, however, it’s not all grim. XJT does have a great training department. Go in, get your training, then move on after a year or so.