Long time lurker, first time poster. I am near 50, finishing my multi-engine rating, over 1500 hours with a 4-year degree. Got my CFI just before 9/11 and most of us know the story there. I’m finally to a point in my life where I can make a change…kids are grown and wife has always been supportive.

So, my question is this. I’ve been watching Skywest, Republic, PSA, ExpressJet and one or two others and have a good sense of what each is about with respect to work rules, pay, etc. However, I’m wondering if there is guidance/consensus on where one might go to be able to build time the quickest (given my age) to be able to advance the rungs of this career ladder. Let me be clear, I respect the profession, want to gain experience at the appropriate pace and give back where I can. I’m not looking to get in and get out at record pace, but I also don’t want to sit reserve unnecessarily somewhere if I can be flying elsewhere gaining experience (and of course, time). That said, I’m not trying to skip ahead or take advantage of or over anyone. I just want some honest advice.

All but Skywest are offering some sort of bonus/incentive on top of pay. I know Skywest is huge and has lots of opportunity, but does the pay/opportunity outweigh a bonus at say Republic, PSA, or Expressjet (and yes, I understand at a certain level the pay differences and that there are nuances to contract rules, “overtime” pay, commuting sucks, etc.). I’m looking for an honest judgement on whether the differences between the regionals are enough to justify one over the other in the current environment.

 

The general advice given here is to apply to the companies that have bases near you so that you can drive to work. Once you figure out which regionals have bases close to where you live, then you can look at QOL, reserve time, etc. Other than having the easiest commute, the regionals are all the same if you're looking to 'move up the ladder' as you say.

 

^^^^^^^
Filler.

 

Whether the bonus is worth it or not will vary wildly depending on your personal situation. If you're 22 and have no savings and no other source of income, maybe that quick infusion of cash is the difference between living in a studio apartment and living in your car. If your kids are grown then your and your wife's financial needs are probably a lot less than they were a few years ago. Do you have a decent emergency fund? Your personal financial situation will have a huge impact on that decision.


This shouldn't come as a surprise, but there's a reason that SkyWest is able to hire as many as they do every month without offering a huge bonus. To an extent, you can look at new hire bonuses as inversely proportional to how much pilots want to work at that airline.


We have a potential Coronavirus outbreak on the horizon. The stock market has started to fluctuate a bit. Maybe neither of those things end up significantly affecting the pilot supply/demand situation at the majors, but the airline business has always moved in waves, and eventually this one is going to come crashing down. When it does, you want to make sure you're somewhere you can be happy for the long term. Plus, even with things going well, getting hired at a major is a big crap shoot, especially if you don't have military fighter experience. Often there just seems to be no rime or reason to who they decide to hire. If your personal financial situation can absorb moving to a regional pilot's salary, I'd be very careful putting a lot of weight into a new hire bonus check.


I'll echo the sentiments above...find a solid regional with a reasonably junior base in a city either where you live now, or a city to which you'd like to move. I'm comfortable saying that regardless of your situation, the cost of commuting long term will far outweigh any new hire bonus.

 

If a regional offers a bonus, there's a reason for it.

All else being equal, sure, take the bonus. If you're likely to get hired by a major within the commitment (ie military pilot), bank it so you can repay what you're obligated to if you leave early.

But I would not inconvenience yourself geography for a regional bonus, unless you absolutely desperately need money right now due to personal circumstances. Most definitely do not delay your career progression for a regional bonus.... a few weeks or a couple months of hard work at a major will make up for any conceivable regional bonus.

 

Wife supportive? Do what she wants

also - the American wholly owned carriers have very good family travel benefits. Far better than any other options. Good through age 24 for kids (iirc)

where do you live?

 

Avoid commuting and flow are the biggest differentiator.

If you must commute, generally speaking I think you’ll have an easier time at an American wholly owned carrier because of 1. Their priority system and 2. American just tends to not sell out as often as DL and UA, in my experience.

 

I live in Salt Lake City...hence the interest in Skywest. However, I'm not averse to commuting. The reality is that even if I secure a slot with Skywest, there's likely going to be a commute involved. Nonetheless, I have friends at both Skywest and ExpressJet and all seem happy.

I appreciate the responses...thanks to all for taking time to respond kindly.

 

Don't fall for the bonus scam. Do you research and compare pay rates and QOL rules. The Regionals with high bonuses usually have low pay and horrible work rules, With the bunus you will still make less year 1 - 3 (total added up) then other regionals with lower bonuses but higher pay (The key is to look at CA year 3 seniority pay). QOL should be high on your list considering your age and your family. Don't worry about flight hours or upgrade times, you will get those fast nearly everywhere you go now.

 

Oof. OO is the only show in town in SLC. It’s not even super senior on the FO side right now. Guys are getting SLC on both the CRJ and ERJ right out of training. The problem is that it is obnoxiously senior on the captain side. If you’re LDS or have some other connection to SLC that will simply prevent you from moving, then SkyWest is a no-brainer. A good company and at least you won’t have to commute until you’re ready to upgrade. If you can move, though, that would be best.