scubadiver

This is a PRO/CON question I am going to post in this forum and the other mentioned airlines forum to see opinions and input from their respective pilots, and possibly update if more information is obtained.

I am at 850 hours (I have to go to 1500 for ATP). I am looking at all 3 regionals hard now, while I have time to think and make the best strategic decision. I am an employed CFI/CFII and getting about 100 hours per month.

Here is the best I can do with organizing the hundreds of things going through my mind. I would appreciate relevant comments to help find the right place for me.

Obviously QOL is important, base location is as well. I am 40 and have a family so I can't really move right away, but may eventually.

Reserve time is pretty minimal in most of them.

I live in reasonable driving distance to GSO (a little over 1 hour) and RDU (1.5 hour) for commuting. I am not sure whether the commuting is a pro/con/neutral because they can all be workable but I did my best to decide.

Endeavor
Commuting by air to ATL, many flights from RDU and GSO daily
Best pay
Wholly owned
Don't personally know any pilots who fly there
Interview with Delta (not sure how long)
Probably the best commuter policy
Typed and fly CRJ2 or 7 and 9 but longer reserve for 7 and 9

Piedmont
Commuting by air to PHL, about 4 flights from GSO and RDU daily (Only one base currently)
Less pay than some others
Wholly owned
The pilots (friends) I know who work there are happy
Supposedly Faster no interview flow to AA than PSA - Smaller pilot pool and larger flow numbers
Decent commuter policy

PSA
2.5 hours drive to CLT (2nd closest domicile to me)
Less pay that some others
Wholly owned
The pilots (friends) I know who work there are happy
No interview flow to AA (supposedly a little slower than PDT)
SAP program
Decent commuter policy
Typed and fly CRJ2,7,and 9

GoJet
RDU base closest airport domicile to me
Less pay that some others
Not wholly owned, future much more uncertain
Don't know anyone who works there for true unbiased opinion

TallFlyer

As a PSA pilot I may be biased, but go with a wholly owned carrier where you can drive to work.


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StickPig

I live in RDU and commute both driving and via jumpseat to CLT. The drive isn’t bad. I have yet to hit traffic either way in the year I’ve been doing it. Standby travel to CLT is usually pretty full, but I’ve found that most people create multiple listings in the system for multiple flights. This tends to make the lists look bloated. I fly when I can, and if it looks rough, I just drive. The only time the drive sucks is a 7am show, which I usually leave at 4. Even then, it’s not terrible.

I’d stay at PSA under the same pay scale just to have SAP alone. It means that much to me and my QOL. I also know I’ll be at AA at some point in the not so far future, so it’s a good backup plan. That said, doesn’t mean I don’t want more pay or to be hired somewhere before then. There’s also a ton of flights to PHL and DCA both ways everyday, so while you wait on a round 1 line in CLT, you have options that will get you flying sooner.

FlyingSlowly

I have flown with multiple people at PSA who have left there, and they're happier at PSA. Just a limited observation...