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.

I was in a similar situation with wife and daughter so I can relate. I would consider Colgan. Things are heading in a positive direction and we have a base in LGA. I have had a good experience thus far and I am not even based near my home yet (soon hopefully). The people are great and yes, there are things that need and will be changed in the near future. If QOL is important then CJC is a pretty good place to work, and I am at a MX base right now! With the Q rolling out this Jan. you might want to consider EWR. Just food for thought, good luck.

shamrok,

I've been considering Colgan as well, since they have two bases in NYC. In fact, I've received several calls from Mr. Colgan (although when I call back the HR people keep shrugging me off). EWR wouldn't be that bad depending on the call out time. I'm a good two hours away on average and that's a long way to drive every day. How would my chances be for getting LGA?

I'm surprised nobody else mentioned it, but American Eagle has an LGA base. Pretty good outfit from what I hear, and the upgrade time is improving. Also XJT would be a good bet (in Newark), but that might be a bit of a drive. If you want EWR, you'll have a pretty good chance of getting it. AWAC is also opening an LGA base. I'll say this: Avoid having to commute at all costs. I would suggest avoiding Colgan as well.

Thank you for your comments Andy, but some more specifics would be helpful. I know Eagle has LGA, but with being sold and upgrades pushing the decade mark right now, I'm passing. I definately do NOT want EWR, as I explained before, because I would essentially have to get a crashpad there if I have to sit reserve. I could deal for a month or two, but thats about my limit. I agree XJT would be an ideal choice as well, but as they're not hiring right now, I'm going to have to pass on them as well. Can I ask why you would avoid Colgan? Do you work, or have you worked for them?

Well, one thing I'll point out about XJT is that we have "long call" (12 hour callout) reserve. Were you to bid that, you would have no trouble at all. Also, its extremely rare to receive a minimum 2 hour callout when you're on the later (9AM and 12PM) call times. I've only had it happen once. As for why I would avoid Colgan, I myself haven't worked for them (I was at TSA before I came to XJT), but I have several friends who have. In short, I've never heard anything good about Colgan from any of them. I also used to commute with the Colganites, and it was the same thing from all of those crews. Their pay is sub-par, their MX is lousy, their schedules are not very good, and worst of all, they have no union/no contract. Also, they have a training contract which I personally would never agree to. One has to ask why a company would need to resort to indenture to retain employees, when the better regionals and majors have no such need. If you have other options (and it sounds like you do), why go to Colgan? If you don't want EWR or LGA, I'd take a good look at Comair at JFK. That would be a much better bet.

Do your reserach on Colgan before you go there. You have the experience to go to what are commonly considered the "better" regionals. Consider that you may be at your regional for longer than you expect. Do what is right for your family, but it'll be tough anywhere you go for the first year.

On a side note, I've noticed lately that there have been a lot of people here spreading the "good word" of Colgan. They stand in a precarious position of not having a union while being owned by an airline with a unionized workforce that is ready to strike.

Andy,

Thank you for your honest comments. This is the kind of advise I'm looking for. I'm a fairly smary person, and I don't have many illusions about my career choice. I'm simply trying to find the best company that suites my career and my life. To be honest XJT is on the top of my list, and I'm going to submit an app to them. However, due to the BSY fiasco, I'm out of a job in January and I need to find work before next spring / summer (when it looks like XJT may start to pick up again). I will keep posted here and see if anything changes, and I'm considering ALL my options.

Ok, so what is the deal with Big Sky? I applied ther. I know they closed their base in BOS, but when did it come out the entire compnay is folding? Its still up on their website. APC and this forum is a fun place to vist, but I would like some official information as to the status of this airline. thanks.

I just wanted to make a little correction here... we aren't owned by an airline whose workforce is ready to strike. Pinnacle and Colgan are both owned by the same holding company. We are not owned by Pinnacle the Airline.

Pay could be better at Colgan, as it could be anywhere. But overall, I'm glad I'm here. Upgrade is happening as soon as you're eligible, the people here are fantastic, and I have yet to encounter a single solitary one incident of being mistreated the way certain others claim to have been. We have things in need of improvement, for sure, but all in all, I'm perfectly happy where I am.

Don't discount Colgan based on things you hear. Consider your own situation, and decide for yourself. I don't really know how likely LGA is as a base right out of training, but with your time, you're probably going to be put on the Q400 anyway, and therefore EWR based. (I know they are advertising PIT, PVD, BWI, and RIC as Q bases, too, but I wouldn't be suprised to see those close in favor of having everyone in EWR, as I know that's what CAL wanted from the beginning, and the only reason for the outstation bases were to get people interested in changing aircraft, as they didn't get enough with just EWR.)

So, I'll jump in the mix as one who spreads "good words" about Colgan.

use that search function and read up, all the details have come out and been thoroughly discussed.

New Hires are now going to both. If I can live in Pennsylvania and make my call outs you will be golden on long island. Reserve looks like 9 months in NYC, its not THAT bad if you live in base. Call out is 2 hours, long call is 9 hours and 12 hours.... I bid the 330am window bc usually my trips start early and I make it to work incredibly quick....what does suck is getting done at 4pm on a Friday, but I havent had to do that in a while.... look into places with bases in lga too...

edited to say I have been at comair since may and have never been called on a 2 hour call out.... the shortest has been like 4, and I have only been beeped once, all my trips are usually prenotified before

Commuting from anywhere east of ISP to LGA or JFK is going to be practically impossible with a short reserve callout. I would guess CHQ would be your best bet as you would likely be off reserve in LGA the quickest. XJet might work with the long call out. Before settling for that I would throw out a resume to all the charter ops out of FRG and ISP.

Try Eagle, they have a Boston base.

Like I said I live in Pennsylvania near Trenton/Princeton and I make 2 hour call out work just fine to JF'nK......

Thanks everybody for all the replies. From those of you that have given insight from your companies, I really appreciate the info.

In answer to Jim718181, All of the good 135 operator's out of ISP and FRG are Wyvern / ArgUS platinum, and therefore require high time just to apply. Not to mention they pay well and attract quality pilots. This is a main reason I'm looking to the regionals in the first place.

I haven't really discounted anybody yet, and I sent resume's via airlineapps to just about everyone (except SKW, who for some reason doesn't do that). I'll address some of these issues brought up here in the interview if I get one. Thanks again everyone, and I welcome any further advice.