And think about this...flows are only projected, regionals disappear, and flows have histories of ending. What evidence do you have to even back that up? Did you poll the guys who leave regionals for LCC's on their future plans?

Don't pick a regional based on flow or the cadet program....why do people do this? You sign your life away to Envoy now and you're screwed when life wants to go a different direction. If the regional has bad news before you go to class? Oh well.

If you're going to sign up with any cadet programs DO NOT sign anything that you can't get out of for free. Skywest's program is built that way to give you freedom to explore and if you choose to go there you bank big. If not, no big deal.

Ask Compass about flow or fast upgrade times. This industry is extremely volatile and things could change tomorrow at your carrier. That's why you need to be smart and not pull a trigger while you're time building. Anyone on this forum or recruiting that tells you otherwise is just lying to you.

Figure out what you want, what your priorities are (money/commuting/QOL/schedules) and pick a regional based off that. I've had oh so many friends disappointed with that Envoy 5 year program but damn they can recruit the hell out of 300 hour pilots. I would challenge everything a recruiter tells you, at any regional.

I did the cadet program for SkyWest and by far one of the biggest attractions to it was that it ISNT BINDING. If you end up not liking what you see, no harm, no foul. What is great about it is that it makes you feel like you're a part of something because you can access the company website and see what's really going on with the company. Company seniority (not to be confused with pilot seniority) also starts when you show up for orientation. Health benefits eligibility, 401(k) elegibility, performance and quarterly bonuses etc start when you show up. That means that your travel seniority will be when you do orientation as well. It was a fun program too because recruiters are actual line pilots and give information to you straight with no BS.

To my knowledge, other programs and binding and that's the last thing you want to do. PM me if you have any questions and I'd be more than happy to help. Go Sioux

I think Republic and Skywest are the only two that don't have binding cadet programs.. :/. That should also tell you something if they want you to sign a contract that binds you.

As stated, SkyWest is non-binding which is nice. Will get you your bonuses and such earlier. I wish I had done it years ago. It will raise your income a few thousand due to having first year bonuses (my understanding), assuming you start the program at least a year in advance. Also gives you seniority for training sims, and I think for non-rev seniority. Your pilot seniority doesn't start early though.

American programs are binding, but far superior...if you plan on going to them. Especially if you work at an approved school. Every 100 hours you get flight instructing, they pay you (like $500 or $1000, I forget). You also get flight benefits once you start instructing. SkyWest only gives you benefits a month before you start training. Some other things too, I'm not as familiar though.

You do realize that for most people this is not an option, right?

It just is not a smart thing to do. There are different ways to get certificates completed without spending a fortune. There is too much volatility in this industry to be taking out big loans to be a part of it. If you can't do it without massive borrowing I would not do it at all. The regionals have all refused to make the new compensation part of a payscale that is in the contract. There is a reason why. Flight loans will likely require a co-singnature which means you will screw your parent or other relative if you cannot pay.

Cadet programs serve only one purpose for the employer, attracting and locking in new pilots to their company. I understand the money issue, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Just be extremely careful. Being trapped by a contract at a place that you hate has to be as bad as a horrible marriage, and costly as one should you not honor your agreement.

Go Sioux. So right now you would think some of SkyWest's pilots are there for long while?

Exactly! That's why I am trying to get as much information as I can. I know that regionals change extremely rapidly but you are 100% right, I don't want to lock myself down into a company I will not like that could make me miserable. On the flip side, locking down now means increased seniority and all of those other perks so if I lock down now as a pilot with 270 hours than by the time I hit 1000 then I should have better seniority than most people in my class, theoretically.

Other than the military, which is not an option for many, what do you recommend?