Eagle or TSA?
 

I'm from Chicago and would like to live there again after school. What would be the better choice? Flying for Eagle and being home based as an 8 year FO? Or commuting to STL for TSA and upgrading within 2 or 3 years?

Its hard to live on an FO's income for 8 years. Go to TSA, build up your PIC and get paid a little more as a CA.

There is more to life than money. All I am going to say is that some people that do upgrade could use more time, some don't. It is up to you to ask yourself if you would be ready to be a CA soon after your first 121 experience or not.

Skywest also has an ORD base.

True, You have to look at quality of life as well and that is very important. But you still have to be able to eat, I dont know much about AE or TSA'a QOL or pay. But dont rush an upgrade, 2 or 3 years may be enough time and you may be ready. Some are and some aren't.

Republic has an ORD base as well....

I'd be wondering why these are the only companies that you're looking at if you're hoping for an ORD base. The commute between ORD-STL isn't exactly a friendly one, well, it's not terrible going to STL, but going back home won't be much fun as there's typically a million and half people going that way, especially once you include all the other non-rev folks, and with weather issues putting chi-town in an all day delay within a few minutes, it's risky to say the least, and especially at a company without a commuter clause (aka TSA). If you're not wanting to live in STL or RIC, i'd look for a different chicago based regional, most likely excluding AE from my list as well, good luck.

Oh no, Another Trans States Airlines bashing session. I thought we were only allow one a month.

There are lots of things to consider, QOL, Pay, Upgrade, uniform and what your friends think about your airline. Am at Trans States Airlines, QOL works for me, my pay could be better but all my bills are paid on time. I have the time to upgrade but I enjoy my days off. Do what is best and right for you.

Eagle or Trans States Airlines - I had this same problem look at me now.

Good luck you have many options.

Driving to work compared to flying to work... That is really the question. Do you want to get a crashpad in STL for those 6am sign-ins? Or do you want to drive to the ORD parking lot? If at all possible avoid commuting by plane.

Also being from Chicago I've been almost dead set on either Republic or SkyWest out of ORD, and now that SkyWest's hiring's gone down and Republic doesnt guarantee S5 i almost kind of find myself looking at the same situation, and AE is seeming more and more like an option, despite their long upgrades.