Current opinions on regionals - new hire
 

Hey guys,

Getting into the 121 world... I know every person has a different experience, but am looking to get some inside perspectives on current situations right now with a few different regionals. Things change so fast, so looking for most up-to-date info.

Situation:
- Live in CLT area (~45 minutes to airport)
- Current offer in-hand from Republic
- Interviews set up for PDT and PSA

Let's say, hypothetically, in an ideal world I get an offer from all 3. I know big thing is to live in base, and I've read that PDT is opening CLT, and I've heard mixed things about PSA in regards to CLT base (8 or so months for FO to CLT, then forced upgrade at 1.5 years to be off base again as a junior Captain).

Other factors are benefits, pay, etc. I want to be able to travel with my gf, so there are obviously pros/cons for being wholly owned by AAG (PSA/PDT) and Republic (benefits at big 3 airlines, but low priorities) for non-rev travel.

In your opinion, what would you go with, and why? CLT base is high priority for me, but it's sounding like that may not be as feasible as I'd hoped. So, wagering in commuting between the 3 (Endeavor/Envoy currently not interviewing), is another factor as well.

Thanks for the help!

I would go Piedmont. You’ll be able to hold it either out of training or shortly afterwards. I am biased (work at PDT). Don’t know anything about PSA besides they have SAP. Our schedules are crap, hoping it improves.

Thanks for the reply! How long until you were able to hold CLT? I'm new to this, so not familiar with SAP, and whether or not it's a good thing. Any abbreviated explanations to help a newbie?

No forced upgrades at PDT and hold a line as a CA. PSA has like a 3 year upgrade to R1 in CLT. (SAP line holder) and no guarantee that SAP will be around in 3 years. Do a bit of searching on SAP it allows you to drop trips and manipulate your schedule. PDT is set to double amount of lines in CLT by years end.

Flow is huge. It's a great insurance policy. And it systematically removes people above you on the list so your seniority gets better, not including normal attrition.

Since all carriers are fly only jets as of yesterday with PDT getting rid of their Dashes, don't get distracted about what jet you fly. It really doesn't matter.

Seniority is everything, so between PSA and PDT, go to whichever you think you'll gain the most relative seniority the fastest.

I'd agree with the above. YX is a good place to work, and commuting out of CLT wouldn't be too bad. But if you can live in base with flow, I'd definitely do that rather than commuting to Republic.

PDT is opening CLT and taking more lines there. Junior FO has been on property 13 months or so... It’ll be interesting to see how junior it goes when the lines double by the end of the year.

PSA seems to be shrinking lines in CLT in order to open other bases (PHL and ORF the newest, and possibly PNS if the rumors are true).

PSA has a better QOL for R1 line holders, PDT doesn’t really have reserves (most folks get at least a buildup line within a month after finishing OE). PDTs training center is in CLT so there’s other non line holding options for you to live and work in CLT.

Both PSA and PDT are growing... % wise PDT has quicker movement and growth at the moment. PSA is allegedly getting a faster flow which may help with movement off the top of the seniority list...

Both are potentially decent choices, both have their shortfalls... goodluck!

Come on over to PDT.

PSA or PDT. Don't commute if you already live in a big hub for two of the AA wholly owned regionals.

Commuting blows. Avoid at all costs.

People overhype flow on these boards. A couple of things to consider:

- Flow is not guaranteed and flow agreements have been broken in the past at the whim of mainline management.
- Flow is just like a faucet. It can close up or slow to a trickle at anytime the economy takes a hit. If the mainlines are hiring, it doesn't matter where you are working, you will move on.
- The Regionals who have flow consider flow a large part of their compensation package. In other words, expect to be paid less then other Regionals. They will have bonuses to get you on board, and flow to keep you there. They don't need to match Endevers or Republic's compensation.

With that said, there are some reasons that you would definitely want to go to a place with flow.

- You do not have a degree
- You have something on your record that would make it hard to be hired by a major
- You are just simply a bad interviewee

There are literally ZERO bad things about having a flow, only good things.

If the flow is stopped it’s bexause mainline is shrinking or simply not hiring. If that’s true at American than whatever market forces driving that hypothetical outcome would also affect Delta and United. Therefore no one will be hiring and it wouldn’t matter if you had a flow or not.

While the flow may be 7-8 years away for a new hire today, it generates constant movement off of the top of the seniority list. This is the most important movement for a new hire. Constant upward movement.

And concerning pay, it will continue to go up at the AA WOs, it is only a matter of time.

The flow is great and while it has held wages down, that will most likely change. Everything the poster directly above said is accurate and it is wonderful having it in your back pocket.

Both previous posters are spot on. The only people that have an issue with the flow, are those that don’t have one.

Anything that provides a predictable rate of attrition from the top of the seniority list and creates opportunities to build resumes through quicker upgrades, as well as opening up training center and LCA jobs is not bad thing...

Of course flows can stop when hiring stops... but if it’s stopped at AA in the next 10 years hiring has already stopped everywhere else.

Here is my take, 1st there is going to be a down turn for the reginals in coming years, not because of the economy but, because of lack of pilots. Right now flight schools are find it difficult to find instructors. Who would thought you could be getting paid 30 to 40 dollar's an hr for instructing? Where do regionals their pilots, flight schools.

So, right now all these companies are offering bonuses, if you go to company A, get a $25,000 bonus stay 2 yrs. Then go to company B, get another, let's say $30,000 bonus, sray there 2 yrs, then go to company C, get another bonus, let's say another, $30,000 bonus, you would have in 6 yrs nearly, after taxes, almost in bonus $60,000 cash and approximatly 6000 hrs jet time. Now you have money and the hrs to go any where you want.

Have fun!

-Pay would match or exceed Endeavor if we didn’t have flow at Envoy.

Besides that it’s all good.

Don’t listen to this guys you would have less than 3000 hours.

I have been watching these boards and their predecessors for a long long time. The hot deal of the month changes well, pretty much every month.

A couple of constants
1) commuting sucks
2) nothing is ever constant

I’d take PSA for the CLT base. Uncertain? Yes. Imperfect? Yes. But you’re highly likely to have some job near home for the indefinite future. That’s a good deal.

Thanks ZeroTT, those are just about the two things I've come to a conclusion with too...

Will update you guys on my decision (if I get offers), and the reasons for that. Any more inputs are greatly appreciated!

Doesn't matter, you'll have enough hours to go any where you like. I'm on a 757 with only 800 in turbine.

Pedro is right, don’t feed the trolls.

Oh, and my buddy, less than 2000 hrs is on a 737. Guys if all your looking for is the "Airline pilot" and you don't explore other potions, it can take you longer to get where be. Now some of you want to be 787 drivers, and that's cool. Others, like myself seeking to make the most money I can in the shortest amount of time, so as to have better quality of life quicker, in that, there are other options.

Pilot shortage is not only affecting the airlines, but also other's as well. I just got an offer to fly G650 on my time off. Which I'm going to take.

So, decide what you looking for, an explore your options, there are, more than one.