Which Regional to choose
 

Ok, First off, I am new to the whole airline industry so I dont exactly know all the ins and outs. But from what I have been reading on this site, going to a Major airline (like Delta or Airtran, or UPS which are my top three choices) requires a certain amount of turbine PIC time. So, I understand a lot of people go to majors in order to get that jet PIC time.

Heres my question. What is the best regional to go to upgrade the quickest to get that PIC time? I am not trying to find a quick and easy route to the majors. I am 38 years old. Just recently got my CFII. I am a military officer so I have leadership abilities and decision making skills so I am not worried about that aspect too much.

I am just curious which regional I could upgrade. My choice of regionals is ASA because I live in Atlanta but if I can upgrade quicker, I may consider it. I am keeping everything open right now. I am just on a fact finding mission.

Thanks in advance.

Mesa is a quick upgrade but you might become suicidal after a year. :D Just joking. Upgrade times at American Eagle are going to be dropping as low as 3 or 4 years. Express Jet is good but not sure about upgrade times. TSA upgrade times are low too from what I gather.

ExpressJet is about 2 years and it's a great company, They have bases in Houston, Newark, Cleveland, San Antonio, Ontario. XJET is hiring about 80 a month. Minimums are 600 and 100. Good Luck!

I just went to a SkyWest group interview followed by an interview in Salt Lake City. I was not offered a position but I have nothing but good things to say about that company. Everyone was happy and smiling and treated us really well. I could tell they were all genuinely happy, on the way to Salt Lake our FO announced that it would be the FA's last flight with SkyWest and she started crying!! She kept having to stop her final briefing while we were taxing because she couldn't stop crying. Speaks alot to the company if you ask me. The interview is really tough and you will be exposed if you have any weaknesses. Also, they are not at all flexible on their mins of 1000 total, 100 multi, and 100 inst.. Anyway, back to the point of the thread. They said that they had a captain upgrade in 8 MONTHS in Chicago. They said the average right now is under 2 years and they are starting to have problems with people upgrading too fast and not having 2500 total time and 1000 similar aircraft experience. The interview is not impossible, they gave me two chances in the sim and it was very obvious that I ruined any chance I had of getting hired, I wouldn't have hired me if I were them.

24G: I think you'll find that at most regionals the upgrade times will start to decrease because just about everyone is starting to hire again. I worked at Comair, and I think the upgrade time now is somewhere between 4-6 years. I have heard that at some other places like Pinnacle, Mesa and Chataqua that the upgrade times are much shorter. I upgraded at my first opportunity which was at the 4 year mark. Good luck!!!

you coming back in 6 months?

I've been hearing that SKW and EJT are some of the happiest regionals out there. I've been on many SKW flights and even I'm impressed. I'd like to see if anyone knows how the ORD base is. It's only CRJs so is it pretty SR?

Go to a company that treats you right AND has a good upgrade. Currently: ExpressJet, Republic and Skywest.

Strongly avoid Mesa, TSA, Colgan. Hold out for a quality employer. You are 38 and have experience... I am sure you know what makes a good employer.

I don’t suppose you have any info on what domiciles most of those pilots are getting assigned to?

A friend who works there told me that ONT and LAX are junior now because most XJetters are eastern types. EWR is probably always junior.

As of now (subject to change, of course) LAX, ONT, and SAT are the junior bases, followed by EWR, IAH, and CLE in that order. Again things could change, but that's how it's working out right now. Hope this helps.

[QUOTE=Seatownflyer;200236]you coming back in 6 months?[/QUOTE

Yes, I know what to expect from the interview now so I hope it will be easier next time.

2 years is a good timeframe. ANd Ihave a friend that used to be at Xjet but just went to Delta.

Regionals should not be quick stepping stones to the majors. Stepping stones, yes...but not quick ones! There are too many guys that have been kicked around this industry that have, for whatever reason, ended up back at the regionals or never left in the first place. Don't be one of those with "shiny jet syndrome" that is willing to work for a place that is under-cutting our fellow pilots just so he/she can go work at Airtran. If you are wanting to work for the majors, stay away from companies that are flying around 90 seat jets for 35 seat pay. If you don't see the harm in it, take a walk through the C and D terminals in CLT and see how many 900's have replaced 737's. The US Airways pilots that have been replaced are really friendly there! If we're not careful, in another 5 years some of these airlines will be flying around in A319's and 737's with "Express" and "Connection" on the side of them! Thanks for becoming informed and doing it the right way. It will benefit us all in the end!

[quote=AV8ER2;200284]I've been hearing that SKW and EJT are some of the happiest regionals out there. I've been on many SKW flights and even I'm impressed. I'd like to see if anyone knows how the ORD base is. It's only CRJs so is it pretty SR?[/quote]

ORD is one of the most junior bases, especially on the capt side. It's a couple month wait after training now for F/O's believe it or not. Someone closer to the training dept could answer this better, but I BELIEVE almost all new hires are getting mke. For August the ORD base had 158 lines for F/O's and we had 134 guys to cover it, so natually LOTS of open time, and it's all paid at junior man right now. I love the ORD base, it's the only base I've been at here, but I think the people here are very laid back, and don't let much bother them. I guess you have to be when dealing with ORD on a daily basis.