PSA, the airline that single handedly screwed over the entire regional industry by taking a subpar contract to get flying when everyone else was moving the pay rates up at the time (circa 2012 or so).

Or Gojet, the airline founded for one reason and one only, to whipsaw the TSA union pilots and screw them out of work...

At a time when literally every regional out there is clamoring for pilots I would steer far clear of both of these airlines!

 

So you would recommend which one(s)??

 

Endeavor, Republic, Skywest, Envoy, compass...

I've been out of the regional world for a few years now, so perhaps with new contracts things have changed as to who is best. Just know that bad reputations last forever. The Capt I had on this last trip (Delta 757/767) commented when we passed Gojet on the ramp in DTW that he was Jumpseat chair for Delta in 2007 and it gave him pleasure to tell the Gojet Jumpseat coordinator to pound sand when they asked for a reciprocal Jumpseat agreement. (They ended up getting one via the Northwest merger years later)....but this Capt still dislikes Gojets 11 years later, who will be on your hiring committee when you go to a major?

 

I was just wondering how long it would take before the bashing began... Kudos to those that kept it professional.

To the OP, scope clause that TSA and AA had is what created the need for GoJet (ala Chautauqua and Shuttle America and Republic) but a poor contract kept the TSA vote from having an intergrated seniority list (ala Chautauqua and Shuttle and Republic.) 95% of those that were at GoJet when it started are long gone. Most people on this board that like to continue the “ it’s a scab/alter ego, blah blah were prob not even in high school 13 years ago.

I’m at GoJet, been here 3 years. This is not my first or even second airline. I’m prior military, have my degree and no failed check rides. The pilots here, like many places, are some of the most professional, caring and fun people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with.

Scuba diver, good luck with your decision, feel free to pm with any specific questions!

 

GoJet has never flown or had a jumpseat agreement with Northwest Airlines, so that’s not correct. Cool story though bro!

 

You are incorrect. Never said they flew for them...nice try. They did have a Jumpseat agreement with northwest, didn't with delta, post merger the northwest and delta Jumpseat agreements all moved to the merged airline.

 

Some beautiful revisionist history, by the way...I was in the regionals when it went down.


Gojet was created due to Hulas (owner of TSA) telling TSA they needed to accept a subpar contract or lose their flying...when the pilots at TSA told him to pound sand, he started Gojet specifically to whipsaw the TSA union pilots. He put out memos to TSA pilots telling them that they could come over to non-union Gojet for instant upgrades, and better pay rates than TSA had...those who took the bait and allowed him to start Gojet aren't scabs...they never flew struck work...they are scum though.

I fully realize that most of those guys are gone and that those who work there now had nothing to do with it...fully realize that. I'm just cautioning the OP that the name is tainted. The captain I flew with just this week at Delta brought up the Gojet scumbag story while we were taxing in DTW. People know that name and it isn't with good connotations. It's not a name I would want on my resume sitting across from mainline pilots at my dream interview.

 

Grudge much? While it is true the about the background on GoJet. Don't leave out the part of Parker threat of shutting down PSA (at the time was a smaller regional). Envoy got the same treatment as well, hence is Compass ended up with jets.

At the end of the day, go to where what works best for you. You can still get hired on by the Majors as long as your nose is clean, keep your apps up to date, and network.

If it was me in your shoes, I go with PSA out of your choices become of the direction the regionals are headed. Right now, every Major is cutting out its CPA flying with the exception of United it seems. You have to ask yourself, how long will Delta and United keep GoJet around for their regional flying?


While we are backed by AA, there is always a possibility of being Comaired, but I don't see that happening anything soon right now with the Majors investing into their WO's with the exception of United (because they don't have any).


I will say the biggest con for PSA would be forced upgrades when your time comes, and it will. You will be forced to upgrade into one of our other bases. I know this gentleman said Envoy, but that will leave you commuting to LGA in the long run........

But other than that, with the flow, your spot as AA is guaranteed, that means you can focus on getting on at other places and even at AA before your number is called to flow which can't be said for GoJet. Btw, you go to GoJet, you just made it much more difficult for yourself to get on at AA. Not impossible, but the odds are against you.

Commuting, by any chance, you have to commute, well you will have the same priority has mainline employees and other AA WOs employees. That will make it easier to commute. The only other carrier that I can offer or better would be Endeavor (but you have to wait 6 months for a class date).

In terms of bonus and getting out of it, you can always turn down the bonus if you feel like you will leave sooner if you don't like 121. But to me, 24 months is nothing and by any chance, you get hired by a Major beforehand, I say **** it and eat it because you will make that money back just like that.

But that's my perspective

 

People forget that it wasnt an idle threat. There was a plan in place to wind down psa operations over 4 weeks as we were holding up the merger of US air/ AA. If we said no yet again, planes gone elsewhere (like envoy / compass), and psa eliminated with assets sold or transferred... but yeah we screwed everyone over 🙄

Also to the original poster, I’d do PSA because of the travel benefits. Being at a wholly owned I have the same benefits and priority nonrevving as a 30 year American Capt. It makes a world of difference traveling and planning vacations especially if you have a family.

 

Why would you ever turn down the bonus? Even if you left prematurely, just pay it back. If you think you'll spend it, just park in a money market account and a earn a few points on it while you wait. Stay a year, half is free and clear. Stay 24 months, it's all yours. Take that money!