Love the show, long time reader, first time poster...
 

I've been reading these forums for quite some time, trying to glean as much information about the different regionals as possible. I was one of those fated individuals that was tempted into a job with Big Sky with dreams of quick upgrades, only to have the class dropped like a flaming paper bag of dog **** on your neighbor's doorstep.

Anyway, I'm sitting here over christmas with little to do but contemplate my situation and look on the bright side. I now have an opportunity to get on with a good, reputable, and (hopefully) stable regional in the new year. I've seen many people in the past blindly ask for help, so I won't do that. I've been a CFI for the past 5 years (full time for 2.5 of that) and currently at 1600TT / 60ME. From what I can tell my best options for regionals in terms of QOL / Pay / Contract are RAH, AWAC, SKW. I live on Long Island, NY and since my wife makes the money for me to take on my career of choice, moving is not an option.

I would appreciate any specific advice with regard to QOL, commuting, upgrades, and future opportunities with the above mentioned companies (or another if I've overlooked a good one). I know I'm like the 1000th guy to ask a question like this, but if your layed over (or just hung-over) this christmas, take a look and share your thoughts. Thanks.

Come work for Comair and don't worry about moving. Sorry about Big Sky.

XJT also has a Newark base, don't know if that's close to you, but worth considering. If you want QOL, don't commute to the regionals. Sorry about Big Sky, good luck with your job hunt.

XJ = Newark = yeah :(

Comair = JFK gauranteed. Don't know what the flying is like out of there. Would love to live in NY personally, just can't afford it. Wish I had a sugar daddy to support my flying addiction :)

Is JFK a junior base? How long would I be on reserve, and whats the average callout time? I'm a little over an hour from JFK by train, and more by car a peak times. Morning shows would be killer if I had to drive in.

I only know people that work there. All of them got JFK. Its hard for most to start there due to the cost of living. Maybe that's why it is so junior.

Colgan had a HPN Base, not sure if they still do though................

Thanks for the thought, but a commute to ATL would be easier than HPN. That is unless I bought my own plane and flew to work (doubtful ;) )

AWAC is about to open LGA. CHQ has LGA as well, but its a relatively small base and will probably go away in a year or less as the USAirways 145 flying goes away.

My money's on AWAC...You could do that drive fairly easily.