To Pinnacle or Not to Pinnacle? That is the question
 

Alrighty folks, here is the issue. Currently rt seat FO in a lear 35 air ambulance, I fly like once a week maybe (salary, so ok). But I am young guy who wants to hit the airlines and need more time. I know I will never upgrade with my company b/c all the capts are not going anywhere soon. So I have an interview with Pinnacle, sent my resume online and got a interview letter the next day:rolleyes: . I have read some bad things and ok things about the company. So my question is, should I stay with what I am doing and maybe wait for a skywest to come around (I had my letter walked in) or go for this pinnacle job if I get offered a job. Any suggestions from current pinnacle pilot and non-pinnacle pilot.

thanks in advance.
(interview on Dec. 19th)

ANy of these commuters right now are a gamble. I'd go into the search part of the forum. There's a lot of info. And it all depends who your talking to. I know they have done some stupid stuff in the past and have a high washout rate through training. Bottom line with the commuters is pays low and there's no job stability. Roll the dice and cross your fingers.

Take care.

Ilove2fly:

I can totally relate with you, since I am in an almost identical position. I am an FO in a CE-550 for an air ambulance company, and at some point I want to go to the regionals as well. I obviously can;t comment about Pinnacle, but it seems to me that guys like us just have to make the decision that we feel is right for us, and don't look back! If Pinnacle offers the job, I'd probably take it. Some of what I read on here makes me wonder if it's not "Grass Is Greener" syndrome. There's no gaurantees in aviation. Please keep the forum posted on your experiencem, for guys like me that really hope the best for you, and maybe look forward to flying the same lines someday.

CJ

CitationJason--

It really is a gamble, because most of us have all dreamed of being that "airliine pilot," and it will just take a big pay cut. My buddy made a good point to, he siad even if you get with one regional, it doesn't mean you have to stay, you could always go for another if they offer you a spot to, it happens more than you think. Don't know how true that is but it sounds about right. Anyway, I will let you know how the interview goes, I guess they don't offer to many guys a job after the interview. I am thinking that if I get offered a job, I will take it and see how things go.

Pinnacle Pilots------- What are the chances of me being able to get MSP? How long?

thanks everyone

People jump from one regional to another all of the time. I think doing so used to be viewed as a negative thing (lateral move), but now it seems to happen quite often, especially when one regional begins having problems.

I think one question you should ask yourself is; Would you rather fly for Pinnacle, or SkyWest, or does it matter? SkyWest is supposed to start hiring again in early 2006. 2006 is less than a month away. If you have a stable job right now, paying you a decent salary, and you would rather fly for SkyWest, than stick your current job out, and wait for a 'hopeful' call from SkyWest, and just use the Pinnacle interview as an interview experience.

I think any regional is what you make of it. You will hear good and bad about each. Just go with your feelings, and if Pinnacle offers you a job, and you want it, take it. If you would rather fly for SkyWest; wait and hope for a call for them. But, as I've been told before; Take the job that gets offered first.

If you want to make a career of the airlines you have to make a stop at the Regionals - unless you decide to go the military route. Question is which one? Airlink is one that is doing a lot of hiring, ask yourself why? Can you live on $1,500/month before taxes, want to live in Memphis, wait 5 years for upgrade, only get paid $800/month for the first 3 months while in training and roll the dice on a 50% washout rate?

There are other regionals hiring Coex, Eagle, Comair, Chataqua, that pay better, have superior training programs and better bases at which to live.

Long term if you do not want to make a career in the Airlines, then find a better job in the corporate world, Frac World, or freight world.

Im interviewing 12/21....good luck. Any comments would be helpful.

U-I Pilot---
Do you have any friends at pinnacle. What do they think? Is this your first 121 interview? My interview is 12/19, you can email me if you want on the 20th and I can give an accurate gouge if it helps.

no friends there. First 121 interview. Excited and overpreparing....

Our washout rate is no where near 50%. It might be 10%. Upgrades were going in the 2 to 3 year point in the last bid before the NW bankruptcy. As for future upgrades is anyone's guess because we have around 500 First Officers and less than 10 CAs leaving a month. Our FO attrition has been much higher with people bailing for Skywest, Express Jet, and the fractionals. Our first two years of FO pay are near the bottom of the industry but our captain rates are right in the middle. On the bright side we have one of the lowest CASMs in the regional industry. Once we are allowed to bid on other flying either on our new certificate or we get released from NW in the court we have a good chance at further growth.