That's a "voluntary" buy-back by the way. So, if you WANT to sell your vacation back to the company, it's available, otherwise enjoy your time off. Being as short-staffed as we are right now, things will be tight through August. However, I just got the greatest schedule I could have ever asked for in May, so I won't start complaining until I have to fly down to IAH and start working.

As far as top regional's to work for...it's a matter of opinion. Some people say go for the pay, go for the upgrade, go for the contract, whatever. Go for whatever makes you happy. As far as pay goes, just looking at pay rates will give you a "basic" idea of what you can make, but a lot of places have ways that your pay would be supplemented. Going for upgrade, that can change overnight. Go for the contract, it's hard to evaluate a contract unless your working with it.

I've heard Xjet guys say the RAH contract doesn't even come close and they may be right (I don't work with it so I don't know)...but I sleep very well at night knowing that I cannot be junior manned into my day off thereby screwing up my commute home. The point is, a contract is only so good as how much you use the provisions inside of it.

My list would look like this though:

Republic
Xjet
ASA
Eagle
I can't think of a 5th that would fit for me.

 

But they are majors. They should pay higher. Only the individuals at those companies can change that.

 

Might as well keep dreaming. The DOT might classify them majors, but they still are regionals. Nobody's gonna pay you 777 pay to fly an ERJ. Unless you're a first year FO at CAL... then you'll get ERJ pay to fly a 777!!

Our second year pay at XJT is pretty decent for a 50 seater, it's not like we're getting $21 an hour to fly a 90 seat jet- not unlike a few other carriers out there.

 

I'm really amazed at some of these posts...but I probably shouldn't be.

Go to 1. the company that gives you the first class date and barring that, 2. whatever company has a base closest to where you want to live.

At 0800 on September 11th, 2001 the "best regionals" would have been
AWAC
Comair
ACA
all others.

Today, the "best regionals" are probably
RAH
Skywest
Expressjet
all others.

I guarantee in two years that list will be different...so lets cut this circle-jerk kool-aid fest, shall we?

 

haha circle jerk and kool aid in the same sentence! i didnt know it could be done but that was awesome!

 

Intresting that mesaba or lynx really arent mentioned. i think QOL is the most important thing. companies that will grow and are owned by a mainline is were i believe the future is.

 

Lynx isn't even operating yet, how could you possibly evaluate them?

 

Actually i know of alot guys going there.
its a solid plan, but these are hight time guys and you pretty much need to have mountain flying time in the northwest.

 

I agree... that has to be the best quote on the forums... Well Done Boiler!

 

This is all good...

Regionals have been selling the pipe dream of getting PIC time and moving on to better things for a long time. It seems most people are basing the "best" regionals are ones that offer quick upgrades. Is it the money, the PIC, the assumed QOL as a Captain, or just not being in the right seat? Republic may be a good company overall, but it leaves a lot to be desired. Look at past performance for Republic (CHQ)...firings after 9/11 (not furloughed and it was out of seniority based upon which aircraft you flew), poor morale due to threats from management (ie alter ego airline threats before the last contract), scheduling harassment, etc. The list could go on...and it is still happening today. The threat of upgrade outside of seniority, poor utilization of crews, diminishing QOL are all things to consider that are the current state.

1000 hours of PIC will not land you a job at the majors in todays market. That 1000 hour mark as a Captain will come someday and then it will pass. 2000 hours will come and go without even the slightest hint that you are competive to move on somewhere else. 3000 hours will pass and the realization that you may be at your airline for some time may start to set in. That is when people start to take notice of a contract, QOL, pay, and retirement.

I was at CHQ for seven years. When I left I was pushing into the top 10% of seniority and saw how the company had changed. Bedford and team may be a great management group, but that is all they are, management. They are out to make money for the company, even if it comes to the expense of the pilots. Ask any RAH pilot how many pages the number of outstanding grievances there are in the Airline Division Teamsters Magazine and see what they say. From that question you can see the problem is two fold...they probably couldn't tell you (which is wrong in itself) or that is a few pages and that shows management's response to how they treat the contract and work force.

Overall RAH is a decent place, despite the negative comments. The pilots I know at other regionals all face the same issues that I did during my seven years. Like is has been said before, airlines are always evolving. CHQ is not the same place it was when I started. Knowing what I know now, a quick upgrade isn't the end all.