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.

There are a lot of people that commute ORD-STL or vice-versa. It's doable. However you're competing with all those other people for spots on flights that are, on the United side, very full because they're all RJs. You also have the joy that is ORD to contend with.

TSA doesn't have a commuter clause, which sucks for those early starts or sitting reserve but I know plenty of people that make it work. Ask me again in 6 months if commuting is worth it.

The upgrades are not just "long" at Eagle, they're almost non-existent.

Theres always the crashpad in East STL, where you know it'll be a safe drive to work! And once you make captain you can afford to buy a nice, big, shiny and safe car! Ive had some bad nonrev experiences, where I really had no pressure to get home..can only imagine how bad it is when you have a reporting time.

Had this same decision last year and went to Eagle, haven't really thought twice about it. My initial reasoning was based on friends who had gone to TSA and bailed within the first 8 months because they "couldn't take it anymore." My final decision was the fact that my Eagle interview was very friendly and relaxed and my TSA interview was one of the most confrentational things I have ever experienced and I figured that the interview style is probibly a good indication of how the company is run.

That all being said, I have met people since then who are happy at TSA so just like everything else it is a personal decision.

Are you kidding? The tsa interview (5 min panel!) is a joke!

But that is a good indication of management...a joke.

I could not agree more. Commuting sucks. Period. If you live in Chicago, go to Eagle or Skywest. I'd choose eagle more than likely. There is more to life than a quick upgrade. Your QOL will be incomparably better if you don't have to commute. We all want to upgrade, but its not worth giving up so much to do it. I myself left TSA a little over a year ago to come to XJT, and despite the fact that I'd be a CA had I stayed, I'd make the same decision again without hesitation. I no longer commute, our 2nd year pay is livable, and my life overall is much happier. This job isn't worth the kind of sacrifices people routinely make to do it. Get a job with a company that has a base where you live. Hope that helps.

At least interview with RAH. Express that you live in Chicago and would like to be based there if possible. Do not ask for the 170. Chances are you will find yourself in an S5 class. S5 is expecting growth this year. If they don't offer you S5, walk away and go to Eagle. I'm willing to bet you can manage to get there if you are otherwise qualified.

Thanks for all of the great feedback guys, I appreciate it. I know commuting sucks, which is why its a tough decision. The reason I narrowed it down to TSA and AE for now, is that I don't want to instruct until 1,000 hours total for skywest. Otherwise I'd be apply there in a heartbeat. Shuttle America sounds great, but the odds of getting the E170 AND an ORD base seems like a long shot.

Odds of S5 are probably better than 1 in 3. Most of the hiring is at RW and S5 right now since that's where the growth is. ORD is fairly senior, but I haven't heard of any trouble to getting to an S5 base quickly. The only base in the RAH system that seems to have a delay is DEN since anyone west of the Rockies wants to go there. Also, if they don't offer you what you want (and you are dead set on ORD above all else), get the interview practice and walk away. I know people who lived in base at Eagle who came to commute to RW. They are making more on first year pay here than on second year reserve at Eagle.

Will TSA ever get an ORD base? It would make sense, but I'm sure it would cost a lot of money....but at the same time, Gojet just got an ORD base in november?

I don't know about the seniority and odds of getting bases with Shuttle, but here's the way I look at it all. Throw your application their way, twice if you have to, and see if they'll interview you. They won't guarantee you a base because they can't. They will guarantee you a certificate though. There may be some shuttle guys who could shed some light on the odds of you getting ORD for a base as a new hire.


As for the above post...the whole reason GoJet was created was because it was cheaper in the first place. This is why I would GUESS that they have a base there and not TSA. Among other reasons probably...

I could see them doing that if they broke all the lines down by codeshare like the did for the FA's

Until they do that I doubt there will be and ord base, there would seldom be airplanes then swing the stl to pick up new crews.

But that is only a guess on my part

Reeves

Go to TSA, or if you have the time to SKW. You'l get ORD right in your first months if not awarded directly out of class. TSA isn't a bad choice if you are looking to get a bunch of flying, quick upgrade and out. I didn't care for crashpadding it in ORD. Even if you live there the CTA is better than driving your car. I had a lot more fun in STL (flying wise) and TSA is the closest thing you can find right now for a quick upgrade. I would never work for Eagle with their dim prospects for upgrade. Its like signing on for a major airline except at best you're in an RJ.

One thing you will never have to deal with at Eagle is the United flying we have at TSA. Frustration is an understatement when dealing with that.