Hey there,

I've been reading this forum for a while, and since Im kinda getting ready to move on from instructing, I had great curiosity to see what you guys' opinions may be regarding this issue. I registered yesterday, and thought I'd kick it off, if you guys dont mind, with this dilemma Im having here.

Im not too famliar yet, as most of you would be, with current situation of aviation industry here in US. Hence my need to seek for other opinions.

For several reasons not really relevant to this post, I had to stay instructing for about 4 years in FL. I was never interested in Part 135 Ops and honestly I just simply loved instructing. Now it's time to move on up the ladder and Im aiming to step it up to the regionals. I have done extensive research (mostly through this forum, great work guys, keep it up!!! ) and have pretty much narrowed my best regionals (according specifically to my criteria/needs) to 3 options.

But besides these options, I've also heard that Spirit and JetBlue have dropped their Jet PIC requirement (please feel free to correct me if Im wrong with that...) so all of a sudden, I think that maybe it would be wise to throw these two into the mix as good options as well. Would I be granted an interview with them? that is another story...)

I pretty much care about QOL, (I definately want to be based out of ATL or nearby) not really in a hurry for a left seat, just want to enjoy my way up to good equipment and good/stable company, even if I happen to take a longer way, I want to enjoy my journey there. Now Im no kid here, just turned 30, so it's not that I would be willing to put up with 10 years as an FO either, but lets just say Im not prioritizing my regional airline options based on upgrade time. Not really an issue for me. Money from the regional's first year is pretty bad in most of them I think, so no secrets there.

So, here it goes: Im currently a Chief Flight Instructor in a flight school, around 2100TT and 315ME, all piston except for about 20 in a single turboprop, ME time mostly in BE-76 and PA-44, 85% of it as an MEI. Written ATP out of the way and 4 year college degree also out of the way. Do you guys think it would be worth it to try Spirit or JetBlue? Do I even stand a chance with them? Or would I be in better shape trying on going to a regional instead?

Again, from this post I dont intend to ask directly what is better, I understand that it is only for me to decide that, based on my specific situation, but I would greatly appreciate any type of opinion/suggestion/comment that you guys may want to throw at me. I still have a lot to learn here...

Sorry for the long essay here, tryed to keep it as short as I could!

Anyways guys and gals, thanx for the help!!

FS

 

You should be able to get on at most regionals. I know plenty of people with like 5,000 hours of 121 turbine PIC who can't get an interview at jetblue though so i wouldn't get my hopes up there, but i guess you never know.

 

FS-

Just my opinion, but I don't think that Jetblue or Spirit will consider you. Not because you don't have flight time, but b/c they are getting more qualified applicants.

Quite honestly, if I had it to do over, I would go to RAH/SKW and live out my regional years as comforatably as possible. Note the comforatable word is relative.

Since your not in a rush to upgrade, you won't have a problem with sitting in the right seat at either place for 2.5-3ish years. Could be more, could be less.

Either way, you'll find good work rules at SKW, with hopefully roughly the same rules coming to RAH with their new contract which is being worked on as we speak.

Bright futures as both airlines, and there's something to be said for that. I came to Mesa chasing a quick upgrade, and am paying the price. Not so much in QOL now, but with the uncertainty that looms over this airline.

Good luck.

 

You probably won't get a call from any sort of "major" without previous 121 time. Wanting to stay in ATL it's obvious that ASA is an option. I've been here close to a year and have enjoyed it so far and things are improving quickly. Living in domicile is invaluable. If you want to try for SKW or RAH you will have to commute. You should be able to get interest from any regional though. Just apply to your 3 choices and see what happens.

 

I was kind of in that situation. I had more total time and multi time than that, and I went to SkyWest because I knew realistically that's about all the opportunity I'd have. I continue to apply to every place I meet the mins for, just to see what happens, but I'm not exceedingly hopeful. In fact, no one has called me yet.

Certainly it's not going to hurt to apply to Spirit or jetBlue if you do indeed meet their minimums, but I wouldn't turn down ASA or whomever in the meantime.

 

True, unless they want to - and this is a wild idea - BID FOR THE S5 ATLANTA BASE.
Actually, I guess that wasn't such a wild idea after all.

 

If you want to be in ATL, go to ASA. It doesn't matter what regional you go to, you'll make the same amount of money. Go where you will be happy if movement stops and you get stuck there for a long time.

 

Wow! Thank you guys for the quick reply! I really appreciate the help!

Ok, so jetblue and spirit are pretty much then out. I wasnt too crazy about this deal, just wanted to sense the your feelings about these two and my situation. None of them have a base close to ATL and I cant wait to get out of Florida.

I think I didnt mention it on my original post, like Atlmsl said, my firtst option is ASA. I had already talked to them on a job fair last July in MIA and did the pre-screening procedure there, they took my resumee, and allegedly Im in their HR system, they told me just to call them in months ahead whenever I was ready to be interviewed.

My second option is, like POPA pointed out, RAH, although with them who knows what I'would get as far as certificate and/base, but yes, I would definately bid for ATL with S5 certificate. Greensboro was optoin number 2 within RAH (I think with the Republic certificate) and option number 3 still within RAH is DC, (I believe with the Chautauqua certificate). With that been said, I have no idea if I would get any of these.

THird overall option was Pinnacle, and I would again bid for ATL. If it wasnt for the appearent civil war they may have coming up with the whole contract thing, it would probably be my second option. I have a very good friend ready to upgrade whom I trust and gives me good info from it. But again, in their situation, Im not too sure anymore.

SharkAir, good advice, actually ASA is my dream to get in. has everything Im looking in a regional. But Im not gonna lie, still nervous about the sim ride on the CRJ700 Sim. I have no glass cockpit experience nor prior CRJ training. SO Im not getting my hopes up or putting all my eggs in taht basket!. I also have a lot respect for this company because last july, when I came to them to get info from it, the girl that screened me and got my resumee, she cared about my specific case, and she went the extra mile on trying to find options for me to join the airline. She did a lot of inquiries and stuff. It didnt end up working anyway, I still had to wait a few months, but just out of appreciation, I'd also like to give them the first optoin. I lie how they handled my case, when every body else in taht job fair, just sent me off.

Anyways, big thanx for the help!!!
FS

 

Have you looked into Mesaba? Good QOL and quick upgrades right now. Flowthrough with NWA and getting 2 new CRJ900 per month through October 2008. Commuter freindly policy. 70% of pilots at Mesaba commute.

 

I wouldn't worry about that too much. A CFI friend of mine interviewed there back in the day with no glass time or CRJ training and he did just fine. My understanding is that they're just looking for basic instrument skills, not expert-level glass knowledge or even any CRJ knowledge. I don't see why people make a big deal out the glass cockpit anyway. I found it to be a non-issue. You could probably adequately familiarize yourself with MS FlightSim.