A recurring idea that has come up in this thread a few times is that Eagle is "career suicide," or somehow the kiss of death for a person who wants to fly professionally. This argument simply doesn't hold any water, mainly because it assumes that once you get hired by Eagle you are locked-in and then have no where else to go. I certainly understand that there are going to be a wide range of opinions of the company itself, which is actually a good thing and is to be expected.

I think of it as like getting your first car. Would I like to have that shiny new BMW on the lot with all the bells and whistles? Of course. But that's not realistic, and might also be somewhat foolish. Given the situation, would I pass up the 10 year old car that doesn't have the sleek, sexy curves and Xenon headlights? Heck no! It sure beats walking, and I know in the back of my mind that sometime down the road I can get a new one (even if its still not the shiny BMW.)

If the options are to fly for Eagle for a few years or hold off for a "better" jet job, why would I wait? When that "better" jet job becomes available, there is nothing that is legally binding me to AE, and I'll be that much better off than the guy who moped around and passed up the opportunity.

And who knows, in time somebody might discover that they like AE and want to stay. Its a pretty common trait as a society to focus on the bad more than the good. There are a fair number of comments and posts (though certainly not all) on this forum that present Eagle in a "bad" light, but its very possible that many of the people who really do like Eagle aren't here posting about it.

Finally, to those who wouldn't apply because they "don't think they have a chance," apply anyway. Maybe you don't realistically have a chance, but the only people whose chances are known for certain are those who didn't apply and have ZERO chance of getting hired. There is much, MUCH more to a good pilot than the number of hours in their logbook. Countless high time pilots have learned this the hard way, and it works both ways.

Just my $0.02.

 

I have a buddy at AE who is a very senior FO. I am furloughed from Chq and will be in the next RAH recall class in all likelihood. My buddy seems to think AE is the way to go over RAH. I can see advantages to both. RAH has lots of newer desirous Ac and are making all kinds of strategic moves. (I realize there are some who hate RAH for it. I am not a fan of many of the things Mgmt. has done but I don't, nor do any of our pilots, have any say in it and yes we are working on a leading contract to get better pay, work rules and to stop the kind of BS that allowed them to shove the EMB190s down our throat. All of that BS aside) AE has more "stable" base options for now and better pay but they are loosing their contract soon and their EMBs are becoming obsolete with the seat/mile cost and all (obviously Chqs 135,40 and45 are too). I mention that because AEs has a large percentage of that Ac. Both AE and Chq will have to adjust for that in short order to remain competitive.

Also, I am a middle aged man or an old fart to many on here, I really don't want to sit "ready reserve". I would rather spend my reserve time on the golf course or somewhere else close by. I also can't deal with going to SJU.

All that aside if AE weathers the storm of the contract issues and deals with some equipment issues, (which they are starting to do with the CRJs I guess?) AE could be a great place to work over the long haul. Man I wish I had a crystal ball.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Please, if your the type to flame go to another thread to do it. I am trying to make a career decision here and am trying to stay positive. Pilots bashing pilots is like football players griping at other football players for the play the coaches call.

Any suggestions? Are there any other + or - that I am missing?

Thanks and fly safe guys.

 

On airlineapps.com is there any way to check the "status" of your application??

 

What? Why are you even considering Eagle then? You don't go to Eagle unless you want to make a career out of AMR, and I'm sure by the time you upgrade at Eagle 10 years from now is the time they might hire at AA so it makes sense. Besides, their contracts are going to expire soon and AMR has said they want to get rid of them. It's a no brainier.

 

Where is the proof that AMR wants to get rid of Eagle?
I would like to see that.

 

He's confused.

AMR in the past offered Eagle up for sale, but the terms were clear to the interested suitors. AMR wanted to retain too much control and thus every suitor balked.

Eagle will indeed lose some of its flying to CHQ in April, barring any victory by ALPA. Additionally, more flying is likley to be lost to either CHQ or a third carrier to insure whipsawing in the future, but Eagle will still be here feeding AA in the future, just a lot smaller.

 

Refering to Total time. Oh yeah, a few don't have 1000 yet. Primarily due to coming in with low time, and in out of the training center a few times and sitting bottom reserve. Not a large consensus, but definately a few floating around.

 

As far as Eagle losing flying to RAH and others, aren't most regionals trying to gt out of the 50 seat market? Maybe a RAH guy can chime in but isn't Bedford trying to get away from those?

AA scope still limits feed to 50 seats except the Eagle -700s and ATRs.

I don't think AMR will farm out much flying since it will change their accounting and how they move money between AA and AE.

 

They'll farm out just enough to whipsaw Eagle in 2013. Interesting to note CHQ will be doing most of Eagle's shorter (and most costly) routes out of ORD.

 

I had heard the same thing from several guys on the private side of the RAH pilots forum. From the movement BB is up to I believe it to be the case.