Apejackson

I was in CVG. But reserve everywhere is about 10 months to a year now (from date of hire) and it seems to be climbing. And it seemed to just be luck of the draw on how much you flew. People in the same base with first-out could fly anywhere from 20 hours to 50 hours it seemed. The only thing that really changed when selecting first or last out was last-out got more hot reserve days.

captande

Most junior is ORF/DAY. From what I hear is they sit a lot. Most flying is CLT since that’s where 80%(correct me if I’m wrong here) of our flights go through a day. CLT is the most senior of all, and as you creep closer to a line, people push you back down as they come back from the other bases.

Chunk

Ok the FO side both PHL and DCA are currently senior to CLT

52Cent

May 1st interview, they had 3 spots open in May 6th class.

QOLfirst

Big Picture: I'm a retiring mil guy who hasn't flown a lot in my last five years of duty, and I intend to fly for a Regional (with the hope of moving to a major in a couple of years).

Fortunately, I have been hired by PSA and Express Jet, and I am trying to determine which is the best option. We will be living within a two-hour drive from PHL (PSA) and EWR (Express Jet). However, the drive to PHL is much easier. On the flip side, I believe I could receive an EWR assignment immediately after finishing training at Express Jet, and I don't think there is a long period of Reserve there.

I am concerned about the small amount of flying available for PSA new hires due to the staffing situation. However, Express Jet pilots are supposedly flying quite a bit.

With your experience and knowledge, do you think one company is preferable over the other given my desire/need to fly and the 2-year goal of the majors? My long-term preference is American (for whatever that is worth given how PSA is wholly owned by AA).

Any inputs would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

PleaseComplete

PHL was supposed to get a ton of growth after we opened it. Not sure where we are with that exactly (been out on MIL leave for a while).


Now this is pure speculation on my part but we are seemingly overstaffed and we were given raises out of the goodness of someone's heart (Union said PAY was not on the discussion table several times). As I said, speculation on my part - though I've done a half decent job of speculating in the past (won't bother to dig up the old posts but I was pretty spot on in a few areas). I think we are on the verge of a big growth spurt to be announced and PHL would be a logical place for it.

So I wouldn't encourage you to make a determination based on my guesses but sometimes talking about stuff seems to bring stuff out of the wood work (we have a Union run website that we chat on). IF we did grow PHL as we were told were going to then you would probably be in a good position if you chose PSA.

End of the day it the regionals... PSA could be out of biz tomorrow (not likely just exaggerating the idea...) for all we know.

captande

Look at it from the decision of, if you’re two year plan doesn’t work out which one are you okay with spending a longer period of time at. I appreciate your service, and I hope it all works out. It’s such a toss up, I’ve met guys who would go on orders monthly flying C-17s and had to wait 5 years to flow. Other was a 10 year desk job after a smaller stint flying helos, he was gone much quicker. So also weigh them from that standpoint as well, because the industry and change in a blink of an eye.

QOLfirst

Interesting. Thank you for the info; I appreciate it!

ZeroTT

PHL is currently the smallest PSA base and shows no signs of growing. I'd go EWR. You have as good a chance as anyone of moving along quickly.

Urban achiever

Just curious as to where you heard PHL was supposed to get growth. Dion had said in a town hall meeting that it was going to be around the 20 line area and Orf was to be around 50.

Not sure why people thought it was going to be bigger.

It wouldn’t make sense to build Phl when that’s piedmont’s main hub and they opened it wayyyyy before we did.