If you were going to choose today...
 

And had your choice, what regional would you go with? Not as a career, but as a stepping stone - and eventually move up.

I may be getting out of the military in the next year, working on fixed wing right now, and will meet the restricted ATP requirements thanks to UH-60 flying. I don't mind putting in my time and paying my dues, all part of the game. Just like flight school at Rucker, I expect to keep my nose in the books and put in plenty of study time as well.

I know a few offer their own rotor to fixed transition, which is a plus. I have read far too many negative things about Horizon to consider them. If I were going to stay with a regional for a career, I'd probably go for Skywest - but for just a few years, they aren't competitive in pay (hourly or bonuses) unless there is something I haven't seen about them that I'm missing.

So if you had your choice, if you were offered a job from all of these, which would you spend your years with before moving on?

Thanks





*I decided on a poll because no matter how many different threads about different airlines, there are plenty of good and bad things said about them all.

I'm not exactly sure why you wouldn't just put SkyWest on the list then. Not only is it a great place to have a career, but it's a great place to use as a stepping stone to something bigger. The junior domiciles monthly average credit for FOs is 89hrs. Upgrade under 2 years.

Well where do you wanna live? Are you willing to commute? Are you ok with uprooting your family if you have one? How hard would a commute be if you had to do it? These are the questions you need to be asking. Sometimes Gojet or Mesa are the right choices for people depending on their family life. Sometimes it's Skywest or endeavor. You need to do what will be best for your life and not ours.

As far as Skywest goes, if I were able to afford their lower pay it would be my top choice. I'd have to really look at it though. And if I had a choice, I'd prefer to live out west. With that said, I'm used to going where I have to, where I'm told, being away - Germany, Poland, Afghanistan, and various field exercises. No kids to be away from, the lady and I are already long distance. I'm not asking what is best for you, but what airline you'd favor. And I get it, there are many reasons to choose one over another that will have a large impact on your life. And there also might be factors I haven't thought of, or am aware of yet - I know there are plenty of things I didn't know about prior to the Army, that I wish I knew before.

Thanks again

Commutair sounds like a good option right now.

Piedmont, they have a guaranteed job at American, no interview required. Upgrade is as soon as you have the Faa requirements. They have competitive retention and sign on bonuses. If you got hired today it would be 6 years or less to American. (depending on the flow rate which is based on total pilots on property) only envoy could come close to that , but piedmonts upgrade time is faster if you want to try and go to another carrier sooner.

Pm if you have any questions

He doesn't need to rely on a flow since he's got military flying experience. He will be at a legacy within three years tops once he gets out.

Honestly, in a perfect world I'd go with a WO. (PSA, Endeavor etc, etc) Most, if not all of them, have some sort of flowthrough to their owners. Your private companies like Mesa or Compass might get you hours but there is no guarantee you're going to get a legacy interview.

Agree completely, but why not still go to a WO airline and get in through the front door? The WO airlines (not just AA WO) have more to offer because the parent companies have deeper pockets, and that's not only today but tomorrow as well should the bar get raised. Furthermore, we are starting to see third party competitor airlines starting to flounder in terms of recruitment and operational performance while WO airlines have been able to adapt. This is a collapsing segment of the industry, wouldn't you find it wise to hitch your wagon to a horse that seems more stable should things go south?

All of them are a different shade of ****.