Originally Posted by blindfayth

First 121 gig here.

I ended up going with 9e. If I get the 200, training time is longer as there are delays sure to fewer line check Captains on that fleet, so I can enjoy the free time off with great travel benefits. My SSN is also extremely low. Either way, I can bid for airframe change after 18 months.

My base of choice; even long term, is DTW. I'm ok sitting reserve longer if my wife can be closer to family that way so she has support while raising our kid while I'm gone. Upgrade time there looks like about 2.5 years. I'm good with that.

Also, if I went rpa, I would have gone Columbus. But as an outstation, I would have had early starts and late finishes on either ends of the trips. Hub flying typically has better schedules, and easier use of travel benefits, which are already better at edv anyway. Score one more point for DTW.

Endeavor has been the industry leader on many things lately. That speaks volumes for the company. I haven't talked to a single person there who regrets going, and I've talked to five personally over the phone that were my Alumni.

Finally, the earnings potential at Endeavor is higher. Higher pay rates, and lucrative soft pay rules in their contact that always favor the pilot.

Even guys sitting in reserve typically credit 90-100 hours.

One of my buddies is a 2.5 year Captain on reserve, and is making about $9500 gross a month right now. That's over 100k a year.

Before that, he was an fo averaging 14-17 days off a month and making 75k.

Can't complain about that.

Finally, if I go to DTW, I won't have to move my family again like I would if I went to RPA. DTW is a 9e base, a Delta base, a spirit base, etc. And it's really easy to use Delta travel Bennies out of DTW and fly direct nearly anywhere.

That's my reasoning anyhow.

I’m not trying to chase upgrade times ASAP, nor a major asap. I’m enjoying the journey, and my whole family would be happy if we can start growing some roots near dtw.

Originally Posted by blindfayth

and easier use of travel benefits, which are already better at edv anyway.

Originally Posted by dera

I didn't know EDV gets travel benefits across all 3 majors like RPA does?
What makes Edv benefits better?

Originally Posted by dera

I didn't know EDV gets travel benefits across all 3 majors like RPA does?
What makes Edv benefits better?

Originally Posted by blindfayth

You don't get access to all three, but you get higher priority on Delta non rev than you would as a Republic pilot

Originally Posted by TheWeatherman

They are better on Delta, but not by that much. There are still a gazillion people who will get on before you. Plus, if the Delta metal is an RPA aircraft, you get priority over EDV or even Delta mainline pilots.


I like having benefits across all three. The flexibility it provides is outweighs having slightly higher priority over other regional pilots on a single Major.

Originally Posted by Irishblackbird

You applied sound logic to basing your decision, as they both appear to be solid companies, I'm sure you will be happy. Good to see guys aren't just chasing upgrade times, and are concentrated more with the mechanics of how they would like their career to progress in conjunction with family and QOL, as opposed to temporary bonuses, and recruiting gimmicks.

Originally Posted by blindfayth

I won't lie. The 175, no ready reserve, and duty and trip rigs did sound very appealing at rpa.

However, my family really wants to grow some roots in the town we are moving into for very specific reasons.

That's something that I just can't get at rpa. Like I said, very tough choice.

What I've learned is that there's no magic bullet. I was going to have to make a compromise somewhere.

Originally Posted by blindfayth

I won't lie. The 175, no ready reserve, and duty and trip rigs did sound very appealing at rpa.

However, my family really wants to grow some roots in the town we are moving into for very specific reasons.

That's something that I just can't get at rpa. Like I said, very tough choice.

What I've learned is that there's no magic bullet. I was going to have to make a compromise somewhere.