Company 7 has the best wings I've ever had. Also there is a waffle
House close by. Late night munchies.

I'm currently sitting at 1100 hours and flying 75-90 hours a month. Would it be premature to submit my app at this time? Only reason I'm considering it is because someone said earlier they are currently backlogged and filling March classes...

I would submit it. The current interviews are for late March. It will likely be a couple weeks before you get to an interview from the time you submit it (some guys are sooner, but some delay the interview for a few weeks). Many guys are getting class dates with only 1300 hours.

Thanks for the response. I sent you a PM!

You can apply if you will meet minimums within three months

Anywhere to work out over there? Nearest LA Fitness is about 15 miles away in Beavercreek.

Hotel has a treadmill and an elliptical, but that's about it.

There is a 24 hour fitness place about 1 mile away that has a deal for PSA guys. It is something like $25 for the entire time you are in Dayton (plus a refundable $20 deposit for the keycard). No other contract or fees.

What is this 12/4 cap and what's the problem with it? Newbie here, not familiar with all the lingo. Thanks!

Excellent, thanks! Do you recall the name?

The regionals are not designed to have "lifers". It is supposed to be a stepping stone to move on to the majors. The parent airlines want to limit the pay increases at the regional level to keep the cost low. Their solution was to cap the yearly raises. With a 12/4 contract, after 4 years as a first officer, you no longer receive a raise until you upgrade to Captain. If you do upgrade to Captain, you no longer receive a pay raise after 12 years.

In the past, the upper part of the seniority list tended to fill up with lifers, which leads to less movement of people at the bottom of the seniority list and increasing costs for the airline. It stagnates, becomes expensive, and hiring new FO's becomes difficult due to long upgrade times.

This 12/4 works fine as long as there is plenty of movement on the seniority list and FO's are able to upgrade in less than 4 years, and then are able to move on to a major in less than 12 years. If the market stagnates again (economic downturn, 9/11 type event, age 65 rule, etc....) it can really hurt the pilot group.

Companies like PSA will have a great deal of movement on the seniority list in the next 5 years. There is the guaranteed hiring by AAG/US that occurs each month, but more importantly there is a great deal of experience coming in the door.

There are people that argue that it is a terrible thing. And to a point, it can be. It does, however, benefit the new hires as it decreases the time on reserve and upgrade times. The trick is to get in, get your time, and get out. Do not stay at a regional more than 10 years.