JetJock -

In regards to your friend, he got hired on to an airplane where he knew they were only taking 24 of them. That, and it was a start-up so there would be zero movement on the FO list until they could either upgrade or they left. What did he think was going to happen??

Yes, living in Domicile changes everything, but he's commuting from PHX and has a kid with one on the way. He dreams of DEN but understands his only chance for a change is upgrade and even then the change is only more pay.

He's looking forward to his little boy being born so he can take FULL FMLA and spend 12 weeks at home while working a part time job. If you subtract his cost of sitting reserve in IAH (crashpad, food, etc) from what he's currently making and compare it to his income from the part time job; he'll make more on FMLA than he is on reserve.

No, when he was hired they told him they'll be increasing their CRJ fleet per the contract. What he was told and expect vs. the situation that unfolded were completely different. He was very excited when he was first hired, thinking that the CRJ in IAH would be junior (it is) and that he’s getting in on the ground floor (CAL flying yes, CAL CRJ no). Well he was partially right, the CRJ is very junior and until those junior FO’s upgrade in front of him he’s stuck.

BTW, he came from ASA just after he hit the one year mark. I’m pretty certain he’s regretting it! Solid line holder at ASA being paid $35.--/hr vs. reserve at RAH being paid $23.--/hr. with second year around $31/hr. Upgrade at ASA 3 years and had 1 down vs. 2 at RAH (equals wash on upgrade). Basically the only benefits are not having to commute to ATL but I’m sure he’d take the extra 1.5 hours in flight to make the extra $15k (year 1 at RAH vs. year 2 at ASA) he’d be making (add second year pay difference ($31 vs.$37) and it'll be a total of around $20K-$25K in total difference). He did get the bonus but that as well is a wash seeing he would have got the back pay when ASA signed their new TA. FWIW, I’m assuming he’s regretting it, he hasn’t said he is. He as said the QOL at both airlines is pretty well equal.

So who put the gun to his head and made him take the job?

You're showing your narrow-minded youth.

Remember that in the end it's all dumb luck, if you don't believe me just ask any TWA, Braniff, Eastern, Western, Pan Am, US Airways, AA, UAL, NWA, UPS, FedEx, SWA or any other pilot who's been around the block! He took a chance and lost, respect his courage and that of everyone else who searches for a better life!

As I said, he thought he was getting in on the ground floor and ASA was in the middle of heated negotiations. On paper it looked like a no brainier, just goes to show you the grass isn't always greener.

If they are so fat on FO's then why are they running a CRJ class at the end of the month? I hope they don't put people in it that don't want it.

They just put out a bid for CRJ CAs. They are probably expecting some of the FOs to upgrade and will need to back fill. There isn't a huge rush in the senior FO ranks to go sit reserve on the CRJ for 2 years.

How big is the class? 5? 10? When was the last CRJ class? Upgrades do happen and he's still sitting reserve in Jan with a hire date in May of 07. If you're feeling lucky then go for it. LOL!

One things for sure, RAH's CRJ pilots are junior and RAH's not buying anymore of them. If you have a choice, go where the growth is seeing that's where you'll be until you upgrade, go Jungle Bus!

Best of luck and I mean no offense; just giving one pilot's tragic RAH story so that others can learn and not make the same mistake. I would still recommend RAH to any pilot but not their CRJ.

She said they were looking for 8 volunteers. I wonder what they'll do if no one wants it.

Good luck & congrats on getting hired by RAH.

Obviously I work for SKW so take my advice for what you will, but AVOID THE CRJ! Don’t let your joy for being hired get you into a bad situation!