If Chicago is your only choice
 

If you absolutely had to be based in ORD or MDW, which would be the best regional to apply to? Is Eagle still allowing new guys to pick a base and is Chicago available? Who else in the Chicago area? I have around 900 hours tt with around 300 multi and 150 turbine. I've been flying co-pilot Part 135 on a King Air for the last year or so. My wife's company is pushing her to relocate to Chicago, so Northward we go. :rolleyes:

Thanks for your input!

If you want to have a successful career, your going to have to be open to more bases then Chicago...................

ORD and MKE are the junior bases for Skywest. You could take the train to MKE for a few months if necessary, but you could probably get into ORD before you get on line.

If you're just unable to commute or move then ORD and NY are about the best places to live for a pilot. Plenty of regionals and majors and all of it pretty junior.

You're right about that. I guess I was being a bit closed ended on my question. I'm open to any options such as airlines with bases that are commutable from Chicago as well. I'm just trying to avoid those things that put me sitting reserve for months on end in one city while my family is in another. Thanks Saab.

Eagle is still letting new hire choose their bases, but I don't think you can choose Miami anymore. Chicago is junior and still wide open, as is New York.

Not necessarily. I'm with Rick on this one. SkyWest, Chuttlemerica, Messa, and AE all have bases here at the regional level and AA, UAL, and Southwest all have bases once your ready to move on. After NYC, Chicago is probably the best possible city to live in as a pilot.

If you can get another 100tt, SkyWest at Chicago is and will probably continue to be junior. Don't look for the super fast upgrades to continue, but it will most likely remain one of the quickest. I believe ORD is much more senior at Shuttle, so you'd have to wait a while before getting it; then sit reserve a while once you did. Mesa sucks. Don't know much about AE.

Southwest and ATA are the only Midway based airlines, as far as I know.

Ultimately yes, but it may mean you have to take a base out in some far off city.............maybe, maybe not, but you never know

Yes AE is a good company, but only if you don't mind spending 5-8 yrs making regional FO pay. SKW in my mind and yes I might be bias is your best option. 1.5-2.5 yr upgrade and ORD will more than likely always remain one of our most junior bases.