I am DTW based but live in Philly for Endeavor. FWIW the commute isn't that bad going my way. I get up at 6:30am to commute to my first day of reserve in Detroit, and am always back at my door by 1030pm my last day. I shouldn't be on reserve much longer, and I will be NYC based pretty soon. Good luck with your choice. Endeavor seems as good a place to be as any right now. Everyone seems optimistic. I was on military leave for the dark days the last few years. Honestly though, don't commute if you can help it. By far the biggest factor in choosing a regional, like everyone else here says. If you lived in Philly I would say go Piedmont hands down, even though I want you below me on the seniority list at Endeavor :-D

PM me if you have any questions about Endeavor.

 

Also, our VP of flight operations called to wish me a happy birthday the other week. I certainly thought that was kind of nice...

 

Looks like the regionals are really doing their best to dish out their best company coolaid! From signing bonuses, unheard of pop up ads, hotel stay for commuters, birthday phone calls......................... Why don't they just pay a living wage for a professional pilot? Commuting gets old really fast as does the bag drag that goes with it. Don't do it unless you have no choice. When I was in the ANG many moons ago, I used to commute (2 leg minimum, sometimes 3) to my Guard slot. Mind you this was only once a month. I gave up after 3 years. But again, everyone has their own threshold. I can't tell you what a good feeling it is to get done with a 4 day and to be home within an hour or less and sadly hear about someone having to wait for the next flight (or miss one by just a few mins).

 

Go to Piedmont so you can fly planes that were removed from another ALPA company's fleet. I'm sure it won't be a complete disaster when a bunch of prop boat drivers all have to learn to fly a real plane at the same time. Plus they voted yes to a **** contract to undercut other pilots, so you'll have the respect of all your airline peers!

 

What about republic? They have even shinier jets than endeavor or piedmont (some even have new plane smell!), and none of them were acquired on the backs of other pilots. Indy and columbus are basically detroit, right? I even hear Bedford might be giving those guys one swell contract tomorrow!!!

 

I don't care about shiny jets. I would fly a Cessna if someone paid enough money had had good enough QOL. The decision isn't about equipment, it's about commuting vs. faster upgrade/flow.

Sounds like most people recommend avoiding the commute by going to Endeavor.

Thanks for those of you who gave advice!

 

Great post...real magic there..Boat Rower. You're just wrong so why don't you row your boat off Niagara Falls.

 

This is an easy answer for me. Avoid commuting and pick a company that has a base where you live if there is one. Your QOL will be much, much, much better (although bases seem to open and close a lot for many companies these days).

I'm with XJT, did the whole commuting thing when I first started and it was literally making me sick always being on the go, and only being home 6 days a month since you would usually have to report to base the day prior and leave the day after. I ended up switching bases and moving into that base, and it feels like a whole new job.

Trust me, pick a company you can see yourself having the best QOL. I wouldn't sweat the upgrades-if you want to go to a major, most likely you'll be there in the next few years anyways with the retirements.

 

Real plane=?????? I'm guessing your saying a more technological get is a real plane? So your automation is what makes you better? Well if your right I guess i'll just have to say I'm happy to know I'll have 5 years at American before many other new hires out there since I'll flow straight through at Piedmont. You know it gives me extra time to learn a real plane.

 

I am at 9e so I am biased. However I really don’t care if people come below me because I am sitting on a CJO. So with that said think what you want about the following. Since you live in DTW I would say go 9e. Looking at current upgrade times does not mean future upgrades will be the same. Off course bases can change too but they change less often than a quick upgrade. You also have to look around at all the captains that do not have their doors being knocked down my Majors to hire them. So just because you can check TPIC box it doesn’t mean a job follows that.

Granted you would have a flow, I do not know much about their flow. I had a flow once and then we were sold and they said no more flow. But it is the same way they could say no more interview for you with Delta. My guess is if you are in DTW and plan to stay DTW you will eventually want to go to Delta. Take a look at the stats for what % of new hires from regionals have been from 9e. Next year we also have an increase of people moving there.

My opinion is that you know you will get a 20k bonus and you know you will get home based. With piedmont you know you have a flow but you do not know when you will upgrade.
Good luck wherever you decide to go.