Choosing a regional based on location
 

Hey all. I'm curious how some of you chose your regional. I assume some of you already lived in a base? If you did not, how did you make a decision?

I live in Ohio, 1 hr 30 minutes from Columbus and 1 hour from Cleveland. Moving is not an option at the moment due to my kids school and my wife's career. Republic would certainly be an option and probably close to #1 on the list since CMH is junior, but what about Endeavour? More than likely, most are going to get LGA out out of training and there are multiple flights out of CLE to LGA? Would you be tempted to go for Endeavour? Would you not look at either and go somewhere with a flow?

I'm far from being ready for regionals, but these scenarios always pop in my head and I'm curious how someone else would approach it? Maybe you have already made this decision in your career, I'm curious how you approached it and what factors were involved in your decision?

Pick the one you can drive to work.

If you are far from applying wait to do the research until you are within a couple months. Things change constantly, bases open and close, seniority changes all the time at different bases. That said yes pick the one that enables you to drive to work, even if its longer reserve. Chances are yes you will commute for a while but get in base as fast as possible for your QOL and sanity.

This^^^^^^

Especially if you want your current wife to be your future wife.

Drive to work. Republic is close to you and is the flavor of the month. Im guessing you are with a 2 hour drive to DAY, that being the case PSA is also an option. However, I am not recommending PSA due to poor reserve/work rules, and lagging pay. I would base my decision on being able to drive to work and SOLID contracual language with regard to work rules, as these will be the main drivers in your quality of life. If the company you chose has relatively stong contractual language, salary will probably be on par as well. Do your research, and wait until you are close to being able to work at your desired company, as things can an will change in this industry.

Driving to work is huge.

I would only reconsider that if you have to work for a notorious bottom feeder, or if the training department has a poor reputation/pass rate. If you already have a glass jet type, you can disregard the last part.

Thanks for the input. All of you are on the same page so that solidifies what I've been reading when it comes to making the decision. I know the landscape could change relatively quick and I have a ways to go.

I enjoy coming here to read about the experiences and how a pilot in the industry thinks. Thanks again.

You've got the right thought process. Things will change if you're looking more than 6 months out, but start doing research now. Narrow it down to regionals with CLE bases or easy commutes, such as DTW.

Until your company shifts it’s operation to the other side of the country and closes your home base.

Goal is to be off to the majors before that happens.

Well of course it is, until it doesn’t happen.

Yes. Choose your regional as if you will be there until age 65. There are no guarantees to mainline.

This is possible in any career field. We're all hopeful it doesn't happen, but it's out of our control. I'm not going to let the fear of this possibility keep me from going down this road for a career.

Most career fields you can find a new job with equivalent pay and benefits, commensurate with your experience. Not always the case in the seniority system.

If your priorities are
1) family
2) work

Then drive to work

If something else, then definitely commute for the better job

Any recommendations for someone looking to be a Denver based FO?

Sugar Mamma has a job a couple hours north of DIA so relocating isn’t an option for a regional gig. Of coarse, driving to work is my preference, but a short one-leg commute would be alright.

Dtw is not hard to get
 

Detroit is trending junior lately for FOs out of training for Endeavor on both models. I spoke with one last week who got it right out of the chute three months ago

I hope that remains to be true by the time i'm done with IOE. Indoc on Monday!

Welcome aboard. Feel free to pm if you have any questions. Been here just short of 2 years

I pretty much have to commute which is why I went with Endeavor. GoJet RDU base is 1.5 hours away but I just wasn't so sure of that one. PSA CLT base was a little over 2 hours away so that would have been a decent choice. QoL seems to be better here than many other places and more worth the discomfort of commuting. I MAY move to a base at some point but for now I have a 1 leg commute. Figured if I get stuck at a regional, this is probably one of the few that you can probably make 100k by year 3.

It's not like you are signing a 4 year contract like the military. You can always alter your path in relatively short order if things aren't working out.