Originally Posted by ComanchePilot

It looks like you are thinking about this very rationally. You have done the math on both options, and come up with some pros and cons.

Cape Air:
Pros are that you can start there sooner, thereby spending fewer months instructing. And that you will get to B6 sooner. And that you will get a year of Part 135 multi PIC time.
Cons are that Cape Air's pay is incredibly low. And that you will be working harder there than you would at a regional. And that you won't be logging any turbine time or jet time or 121 time.

Spending 1000 hours at a regional:
Pros are that they will give you an ATP rating, a type rating, and 1000 hours of turbine time/jet time/part 121 time.
And the pay! Regional FOs start at $100/hour nowadays, which is a ton more than Cape Air. And of course that the experience there will be very applicable to working in the flight deck at JetBlue.
Cons are that you would have to spend more time instructing (all the way to 1475 hours instead of just 600). And that your class date at JetBlue would be delayed.

Conventional airline wisdom is: the option that gets you to your forever job soonest is the best one, even if that job pays less in the near term.

My two cents: If you can stand the low pay of Cape Air, it sounds like you will benefit by taking that job: (a) about a year less spent instructing and (b) quicker arrival at B6.
But if you are going to have to rent an apartment in Boston or Decatur or Billings or New Hampshire, and eke out a living on Cape Air FO pay plus food stamps... for two years... in a town where you don't know anyone and can't afford to rent a decent apartment... that prospect may sound miserable enough that you would rather spend an extra year living at home and flight instructing, then go straight to the air conditioned, well paying, jet-powered splendor of a professionally-run regional.
There is no wrong choice. Good luck!

Originally Posted by Beechbum66

Question about the EWR pilot base. Does this base still have to cover LGA or even JFK for trip starts? For example, if I am sitting reserve could I start at trip from all 3 or just EWR?

My wife and I were looking at moving back to the South Jersey area and it looks like there is a pretty big difference between the drives to EWR and JFK/LGA (never actually flew out of these while we were living up there). Can anyone help shed light on this. Coming from someone with no 121 experience so I really don't know what to expect. Thanks

Originally Posted by chanandlerbong

Can someone clarify training pay? Is it $2000 per month until LOE, then 80 hours in category until IOE complete…or is it $2000 per month until the first of either LOE or some set # of day limit? I’ve seen conflicting info. Thanks.

Originally Posted by Imabelieber

So I live out west and was hoping someone could tell me how the flying out of LAX is? Trip make-up? 2 days/3 days, values, red eyes, A321 vs A320… I have no issue commuting to the east coast for better flying, but if the LAX trips are good I would certainly consider taking it in training ( start in a week) , if offered, or doing a base trade with someone who wants to get to an east coast base. 50 minute commute to LAX vs 5 hours to JFK or BOS sounds kinda nice. Thanks in advance for any info or insight.