Best Option for going back to 121
 

Debating on jumping from 135 back to 121 and looking for some suggestions as to the current best option for an ORD/MDW base as I live in the area.


ATP
~3600 total
~1150 jet turbine (1000 part 135, 150 part 121)
multiple jet type ratings
current 135
masters degree

Going to a regional would be a pretty big pay hit, but if I can find one where I can avoid commuting and make CA quickly it would be less painful.

Suggestions, pointers, etc appreciated. I flew for Eagle briefly during the "lost decade" so my experience with the regionals is a bit skewed.

ZW you can hold ord basically out of training as a new hire. You have the time to pretty much upgrade immediately but you’ll be commuting to either MKE or CAE. Probably worth it to drive to MKE, probably not for CAE.

Check out the seniority tab on the pilot hiring page for Skywest. It should give you an idea how long it will take to hold captain in ORD. FO’s are being assigned ORD out of training.

https://www.skywest.com/skywest-airl...es/pilot-jobs/

Envoy is displacing people to the left seat who have the time, you wouldn't be an FO for too long and would be able to hold ORD out of training for the most part.

So of the 3 main ORD carriers, SW, Wisc, and Envoy, who is currently the best option as far as upgrading and pay?

I’ve heard new Envoy CAs are nearly guaranteed to go to LGA for awhile.

XJT is about to get a new contract. And 19-06 will likely drop the upgrade time in ORD significantly. Management is sending out emails regularly asking all FOs in the company to try to get to 1000 hrs ASAP. The company will need nearly ALL of them in the left seat by this time next year.

Also if you look past the regionals the new Aviate program is supposed to be the fastest path to United. It is supposed to be much faster than AA flow. This new program is targeted to get people just like you into the United feed. If you know any mainline United pilots ask them about it. Only XJT and AirWhisky have it in ORD.

In terms of upgrading at Envoy, you will have the opportunity to upgrade if you chose to and have the minimum of 950 hours. You'll most likely spend 3-4 months at LGA but definitely be able to get back to ORD especially once the spring flying picks back up. Since you'll be going through an initial training phase you'll also be eligible for the 3 months of hotel at LGA so no need to get a crash pad when you're based out there. Pay for a new FO is I believe between $49-50 per hour. That doesn't include whatever the signing bonus is as well. Envoy is a no brainer especially for ORD.

Except you can be at United in 2 instead of AA in 7.

[citation needed]

In theory on both of those statements.

It’s anyone’s guess where things will end up. The nice thing about it is there is minimal risk to someone wanting to try Aviate. Submit the app, do the interview, if you pass great. If not resign and go to Envoy.

Aside from Flow/Aviate, and I know this is a pretty nebulous/objective question.

But as far as initial QOL/pay living in base, who is currently the best (I know this changes nearly monthly). I've heard positives and negatives for most, but since I'm on the older side I'd like to find somewhere to get in and stay till i can get to a LCC or Legacy, and not have to jump around.

You just stated the obvious. The BEST is completely dependent on you. If you are living in base (ORD), just pick a regional that has a large base there and low seniority. You may just want to pick based on who can get you started/flying sooner as well as upgrade quickly.

XJT supposed to be getting a new contract. Fingers crossed we will be the highest paid at ORD. That’s not what you asked, but may be the only measurable difference.

thanks for all the help, getting a couple applications fired off today, shall see who answers.

But you are right, earliest class date and fastest upgrade is key, ORD doesn't seem to be a hard base to get (who wants to live here in the winter?)

Yea, aside from the fact that that whole process of applying, submitting the app, doing the interviewing, potentially not passing, then applying to Envoy, and getting a class date is about 6-7 months of wasted seniority...

ORD is a low seniority base for Envoy. Upgrades are right when you hit 950 hours. Flying is suppose to increase further as more 175's are coming online, (delivering around 2 per month). Looks like all of your boxes are checked...

Stay away from Republic at all costs if you want ORD

Probably been beat to death but what is life like for 170 drivers out of ORD for Skywest.

And if you could have made it but went to Envoy because you were too scared to find out you waste 6-7 years.

Considering the source....

Speaking of wasted time