Can anyone give any accurate pro's and con's about XJ vs 9E?

Well, I will try...

Pay: XJ makes more at the moment, but when the new contract finally gets done, 9E will make more. As a CA you will make more at PCL currently. When XJ gets the -900's the CA's can make more there but you are talking 3 years til they have the 36.

QOL- Its comparable on both ends. The new contract will give 9E an edge though with some restrictions on screw schedulers and pay rules that will put a little more money in your pocket on days you dont work much.

Upgrade/equip- 9E is all jet, and upgrade is known to be quick. XJ is currently almost all prop (nothing wrong with prop) but the upgrade will be slower unless the delivery of the -900s is accelerated.

bases- same, plan on MEM, DTW, or MSP.

flying- XJ does mostly shorter flights, 9E is a mix or short and long but typically :30min or more in the air (1 hour flights with ground time).

Both pilot groups are known to be great. I will disclose that I am on the 9E side, so an XJ guy can fix anything I may have said wrong. TODAY you would make more at XJ, when the contract is finally done (its been a while) 9E will be much better on the pay/QOL side.

Questions for Pinnacle guys

I am currently just starting to CFI and am looking at the next step. The short version is that I am looking for somewhere to get a bit of experience for a year or two and then going to another company. I know that this so called horizontal move is considered bad but I would much rather get some 121 experience then just sit for ever as a CFI waiting to get some multi time.

My questions are
What is the call out for reserve, 90 min, 120min, ect.
What are my chances of getting DTW as a base? I am stuck in Michigan for about a year and would not like to commute if possible.
How long is reserve for DTW?
Any tips for experience and studying in order to be competitive and successful?

QOL and pay are not too big of a deal, not really looking for a carrier here just for a stepping stone to other things. Any advice as to another way always appreciated also.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

where do you plan on going if you make the latteral move?? after being here 2 years you could upgrade, would you really want to start back over as first year fo again? just some things to consider. You might as well just go to your first choice and see what happens. i personally think it would be crazy to go somewhere for a couple years to use it as a stepping stone to get to a different regional,, i am using this place as a stepping stone also, but not to go fly the rj again some where else. as far as your questions are concerned:

1. 90 minute call out.
2. you could have detroit tomorrow
3. about 3 months.

Does anyone mind posting actual $$$ amounts for take home pay the first few months.
Pay, per-diem,credit time average per month/check.
Thanks .....

training- first 3 months- 1200/mo
Reserve- I averaged 1800/mo
Line holder- 2200/mo

This includes all take home after taxes with per diem included.

If you are one who likes to fly you can make $2400 in a month, or if you are not yet eligible for 401K (6 months after checkride you can contribute). If you budget (tight) to $2000 a month you should be OK as a lineholder, or a reserve guy with alot of sit time. Either way- it sucks...

i dont care.

take home on the first is 680.00

take home on the 16th around 1500. (perdiem extra flight hours)

Thanks,
I just need $1300 mo to survive (rent/loans/food/gas/bills)
I knew a long time ago that the first few years are hard so I purposely kept my cost of living low.
So now that I know I can still eat on the FO pay, I may send out my resume.
Thanks again....

Sounds like you have a better view of reality than allot of other guys starting out.. That'll serve you well. If you start there.. you might as well stay... Good luck

I think the important things is to think ahead and prepare for the income you are about to be reduced to. For me, I am making really good $ right now and I taking advantage of it - paid off credit cards, double and triple car payments and flight loan payments., etc. If we plan ahead and are prepared for the income we know we are going to expect...maybe we won't be soar about it and complain all the time on internet forums.