ORD is Eagle's jr base, I would not be suprised if you held a composite line out of training. Four months would be the absolute max. I'm holding a line in BOS six months out of training. I expect the current trend of reduced reserve times to continue. I've had several requests for PVDs (personal day off) denied due to staffing, and we're better manned in BOS than they are in ORD. ORD is ridiculously understaffed.

Upgrade times are still outrageous, still seven years today, but will drop to four to five years overnight (no new hires 9/2001-1/2004; most junior CA awardee has 5/2000 seniority, and 285 pilots are junior to him to the 1/2004 class). Also, management has decided that one of Eagle's cost problems is all the CA's are too senior. They are actively trying to help the top 25% of the seniority list to go to some other airline - UPS, FedEx, WN, wherever... One thing about AMR management, once they set a target, they are very smart and/or determined to achieve that goal.

QOL at Eagle is quite good today. Pay isn't as abyssmal as some places, work rules are ok, scheduling isn't half bad, reserve is minimal, and there is light at the end of the tunnel for upgrades.

 

And anyone is fooling themself if they think anyone in the top 500 are going ANYWHERE, accept MAYBE flowing through. These guys are at max pay making 100K/ yr. and holding weekends off. Of the next 500, I'll bet less than 50% are thinking of moving on. They too are making close to six figures, and holding at least one weekend day off. I'm not trying to discourage you, but most of the guys willing to leave will be in the 900+ range. Unfortunately, many of them don't have the requisite PIC.

I've been at Eagle 7+ years and am happy with my choice. Mesaba and Air Wisconsin were my second and third choices, and the last few years would've been miserable at either (for me). Your situation is undoubtedly different. I can just now hold prop CA, although I've not taken it yet. Learn everything you can and explore all your options (what about Compass?) and cross your fingers! Welcome to the circus some call a career!

 

If youre thinking about going with Mesaba, I wouldnt recommend holding off on turning in your resume. I started indoc on Monday, after about 2 months from the your hired call to start date. So if the reason you're holding off is to gain more experience, you'll have plenty of time to get it while you're waiting.

 

What?! I thought this was a hobby!! LoL because hobbies actually cost you money ::rolls eyes::

 

So here it the run down on MAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSaba, as the DTW controllers like to call us.
1) Pilot Group exceeding 750. By the time you get hired and in class probably around 900, which means that you will be coming in on the tail end of the hiring, therefore probably not light speed upgrade, you will have a lot of people in front of you now
2) The evil empire (start darth vader theme song) MAIR is still in existance, and could return to slash your paycheck in five years
Now the positives:
3) Snap back with 36 new plans on property
4) Contract negotiations in I believe 2009 (RJ correct me if I am wrong, havent looked at the contract in a while)
5) Positive growth, and a large fleet of pure profit aircraft (Saabs make money, other than that, its about all they do) However if you are going to fly one invest in a hearing aide company, trust me you'll need it
6) Saab so loud, cant hear flight attendant complain about how loud it is
7) No need to spend money on a health club, Saab has a built in sauna, called "any row, any seat"
8) Injured? No need to bring an ice pack to work, just go preflight during Nov. thru Apr.
9) Probably one of the most experienced groups of regional pilots around (newest upgrade 3 years, prior to that 7 years)

I know nothing about eagle other than what I have heard here which is suspect. If you are fortunate enough to MSP or DTW, its an easy commute, flights out of Madison each way.
Good luck.