Trojan65

As some likely know Australians can come & fly in the USA via the E3 visa program , Skywest took the most but no longer need foreigners due improved contract

So the Aussies are out of "prime" ie: Skywest , Endeavour ,Republic, Envoy and the following guys don't take E3s Horizon, PSA , Air Wisky,

So Australians can apply to commutair, expressjet , Mesa , gojet, piedmont , trans state .

Trying to figure out which might be the best & have read many of the posts on similar comparisons , the criteria , that Australians will have will be different to the locals

Firstly they don't have any fixed abode & can go anywhere , so the "in your hometown" just isn't a factor. The motivation of most will be to spend 3/4 years there smash out 3000 + jet time , and get to LHS then reconsider. At that point either return home or consider options in Asia / ME or remain in USA

So a key criteria will be who has the "training" act together , do it fast and complete LOE asap , get checked to line & start pumping out the hours. Another important criteria will be to spend the least amount of time of reserve & also upgrade times

Flow (ie: Piedmont ) not sure that is a great carrot as it may well not be open to Australians

Again the most important criteria

1. Training Well organised / efficient
2. Minimum time on reserve
3. Minimum upgrade times

All constructive comments welcome , thank you

da42pilot

1. Training Well organised / efficient.

ExpressJet, no doubt about it. And by a long shot. Really great training department, well organized, very experienced instructors.

2. Minimum time on reserve

ExpressJet reserve times will be coming down very soon, but you'll also fly your ass off while on reserve.

3. Minimum upgrade times

Currently, ExpressJet's upgrade is at 5 years, which is the big negative. However, I expect it to be down to 3 years by the end of 2020.

On the pro side, you'll get to fly with experienced captains for a couple of years instead of 1000 hour upgrades.

jacburn

1. Training:

All training is done in-house. CommutAir has experienced instructors. Ground school is conducted at the training facility at the IAD airport. Sims are completed in Houston or Cincinnati.

2. Reserve time:

Our reserve time has been short. Average reserve time for FO's and new hire CA's is running about 2-4 months. We are not expecting any change. We also have not been telling people for the last couple of years how reserve time will drop because our reserve time has been low.

3. Upgrade time:

We are upgrading pilots as soon as they are ready to upgrade. Most FO's are not sitting reserve when they upgrade due to the new hires that have plenty of 121 experience when they were hired and upgraded in new hire training.

Trojan65

Ok what if we made the number 1 criteria

1. Upgrade time

With a more distant consideration of Efficient Training

Remembering these are the bottom of the barrel scrappers who will take the unwashed & sometimes uncouth Australians (ie: expressjet ; Mesa ; Gojet ; Trans State ; Commutair ; Piedmont)

It is a dirty job but somebody has to do it ; maybe the Australians are the guys for it

Advice much appreciated

Phoenix21

At Piedmont, upgrade is currently approximately 28 months at Piedmont (11 from new Hire indoc to OE and 17 to having 1000hrs SIC) to be able to get back into class for upgrade class, which takes another 3-6 months to finish Captain OE.

Approximately 30-36 months from day one until your first revenue flight (aka first time paid as Captain) at Piedmont.

ReadyRsv

It takes 11 MONTHS to get from Indoc to IOE ???? (???)

Phoenix21

Yes. Has ranged from 8-12 months for the last 3 years or so for new hires. 3-6 months for Captain upgrades. The company has been slow to give the training department the resources it needs for an efficient program.

Aussiee3pilot

Definitely DO NOT go to Mesa, how that place is still around I have no idea. Obviously I will talk highly of OO since I am on an E3 but my next option from that list would probably be Comutair. Great bonus and I have a few mates there now. Spent 2 months on reserve as an FO and hiring street captains as they don't have enough qualified guys. Expressjet is a mess and I spoke to a 20 year reserve captain on the RJ the other day to put things into perspective...

NovemberBravo

What did Mesa do to you?

rickair7777

I would put your criteria in this order:

1. Minimum upgrade times
2. Minimum time on reserve
3. Training Well organised / efficient

PIC time will trump SIC in all cases. 2 & 3 just get you more SIC sooner.

Also, I'd do a little google on domiciles you may be considering. There are some places which will be much nicer than others here.