corref

Whats the better regional... Express Jet or PSA? and why?

CRJason

Air Wisconsin! Quality of life, pay, and 14% ownership of mainline company makes this regional a hit!

fosters

Do the uncommutable schedules also make this company a hit? How about the concessions taken in 2003? How does that help the rankings? Do 4 year upgrades bring the company up as well? The ownership means NOTHING. I'm not sure why people think it's a big deal. The owners of US Air will go with the cheapest company to make the company as a whole more efficient. If that means using Mesa, they will use mesa, not AWAC, which costs 30% more to operate than Mesa.

You just got hired, didn't you? Wait till the $600 paychecks and 5 on two off weeks hit home and you'll feel differently, I guarantee it.

dittidano

Fosters, A first year FO at AWAC makes $23 a hour with a 75 hour monthly guarantee. When you say $600 dollar paychecks, do you mean $600 a month or $600 Bi-monthly? Unless I am doing my math wrong, a FO at AWAC should make $1725 a month guaranteed. Dont get me wrong 1725 a month is still horrible,however, it is a lot better than 600 a month. I take it that you work at AWAC? and you dislike it? It appears to me that AWAC pay is one of the best for regionals. What is the projected upgrade time there?

Dittidano

check6

Right now, Air Wisconsin. Continental can't afford Expressjet.

fosters

I don't know where you come from, but where I come from a "paycheck" is the two-week kind, not four-week kind. So, yes, that is every two weeks. Take 37.5 hours X $22.99 = $862 pre tax. Take out Tax, insurance (medical and dental), uniform allowance, and 401(k) and you're left with around $600-$650/paycheck = $1200-$1300/month.

If you do a lot of trips (which everyone is doing regardless of line holder or reserve status) you make $1.45/hr per diem (not taxed). Line holders are gone around 300 hours a month, so plan on another $400/month in perdiem that isn't taxed if you're a lineholder.

Second year pay jumps to $34/hr, but USED to be $39/hr before the concessions. Quite a difference, especially when earning so little. But that $34/hr is still pretty tough to live on!!!

Upgrade right now is around 3 years, which will go down in the next year but then become very stagnent IMO. Unless serious hiring goes on at the majors, this place will be the next eagle. Also, we have priced outselves out of additional flying because our contract is so good. Kinda sucks that a crappy company like Mesa gets the goods and the upgrades, but I guess that's how the world works! Just look at Wal-Mart!

Don't get me wrong, I don't dislike it here, but it's just depressing to know that we won't be going anywhere for awhile, that's all...

dittidano

Fosters, thanks for your reply. I wasnt trying to be ignorant with my question about pay period. I assumed you recieved a paycheck every two weeks; I was just trying to make sure on exactly what you were saying. Thanks again

Dittidano

CRJason

Here is a small portion of a message that Mr. ~fosters posted on 11-6-2005.

"No one knows time on reserve. It could be 1 month it could be 6 or more. Right now it seems like I'll spend 1-2 months on reserve. Who knows..."

I find it ironic that a new hire, who may still be on reserve is trying to portray himself as a seasoned airline pilot. Nice try, but this senior line holder (who is also new to this website) is disappointed in the attitude! Lighten-up man!!!

atpwannabe

BTW, Why is it that regionals pay alot less? Why can't an FO starting out make at least 30K/yr.? If these companies have ties with the majors...what gives with the rj's flight crewmember's salary?

supercell86

Well back to your original question...I would have said Expressjet a few weeks ago, but now I'd say PSA.....since ExJ is getting rid of alot of RJ's.