Soon2befo,

Thanks for the good info. Trying to get ORD because I'll be commuting from the SE. SKW is my dream job, so I'll wait til they call me for a class. I have a good job now, with lots'o'flying PIC, so don't need the PIC. Just want a good company with a future. The one unanswered question is: " If the big F starts, where do us poolies stand? Do we just wait for the call for class or what? I will definately wait. If I went to another Co. who is hiring and has classes, I'd end up on the street anyway, then I wouldn't have a flying job at all, and would just have the military for my back up. So I'll sit tight with SKW. I hope my brothers keep on flying the the BIG SKW. Lets raise the ticket prices people!!! No parking of planes!!! Please!

Bus Driver, there's really not that much I can add. If you won't take the EMB then you might find yourself waiting until the middle or maybe the end of the summer before you get a class date and if the industry really goes down the tube then it very well could be longer. I'd expect over 100 EMB pilots (could be more seeing we’re short on the Bro still) to have started between now and then, that's 100 pilots or more that will be more senior to you. But if SKW is your dream job and you’re not in a hurry to get your TPIC, then what's 100 numbers or so when you can have a shorter commute. Just remember that those 100+ pilots will move over in front of you after their seat lock is up and they’ll keep bumping you either back on to reserve or into a schedule that doesn’t allow weekends or holidays off.

I’m more of the mindset of, sacrifice now for better QOL later. Some may say that you have to enjoy life, to them I say just because you’re sacrificing a little more now doesn’t mean you have to give up your life. And besides we’re only talking about a year or maybe less, that’s nothing but a drop in a bucket when you looking at the whole grand scheme of things.

Best of luck.

JJ

Hey JJ did you ever fly the Bro as an FO? I'm considering upgrading in the Bro since I'll be able to stay in FAT if I do, I'm curious what it would be like though for someone who hasn't flown the plane before. I do have T-Prop time (DH-8), just no EMB-120 time.

I was an RJ FO who upgraded to the BRO. I had b-1900 time, but no bro experience. It was really pretty easy. It is really just another airplane.

Thanks for all ya'lls input. You got me thinkin' real hard about the Bro. I've definately benefited the from positive side of this site. Some of my squadron mates call this site "the wailling wall"!

If you have the chance go fly the Bro! Its a good plane and tons of fun to fly. Don't let all the buttons...switches...levers and dials worry you. The hardest things to get used to......using the rudder every 30 seconds of the day and trying to keep the airplane slow enough on final approach so you don't fly up the rear of you slow flying jet guys! I fly with a lot of guys that came from the CRJ and they had no problems making the jump to the left seat on the EMB. Good luck to all!

Why be scared of the Bro? You're flying behind a prop now, aren't you?? Glad to hear you're coming around :D

Yes I did, but I only have 647 hours in it seeing I was only on line from June 06 through the end of Feb 07 when I transitioned to the jet. As for upgrading on it and never have flown it, lots of people have don't it and I've never heard of one failing out. Maybe someone has but it's really not that hard of an a/c to learn. If I were you I’d definitely do it and I’m positive, if you work hard, you’ll make it through and fall in love with the old Switch B1tch as most of us have.

The systems are more similar to the RJ than you think. The electrical system looks identical to the CR2's DC system, just swap the 5 TRU's for 5 gens; 2 main gens, 1 APU gen and 2 AUX gens. The Pneumatic system is identical to the CR7/9 with the 7th/10th auto bleed system but it’s now called P2.5 and P3 air all without the automation. Hydraulic systems are hydraulic systems but now they’re called blue and green and the only FLT control that is hydraulic is the rudder. In other words, systems are systems and most of the RJ's are more automated but each systems fundamental structure stems from the era of the EMB. If I had to pick one system that's overly complicated it would be the props. They're pretty complex but the basics are still there. Oh, and it has far more Gremlins than the RJ and a lot of them can't be fixed by popping a few circuit breakers.

As for flying it? There's a lot of P-Factor which means lots of right rudder on TO and whenever you make a power change you have to adjust the rudder trim, EVERY SINGLE TIME. Some people call it the Left Hand Shuffle for FO’s or the Right Hand Shuffle for CA’s. The Shuffle is basically EVERYTIME you make a power change; you have to move the Power levers, adjust the Rudder Trim and then adjust the Stab Trim. If you want to go from cruise power to idle you just can't pull them straight back, if you do the a/c will yaw pretty hard. You have to work them back while you do the shuffle.

Yes you will have to work unlike the RJ, but IT'S FUN! It's a slick, powerful, fast, conventional twin that looks great, sounds great and fly’s great. It's a very stable platform and it can do some amazing things once you learn how to properly fly it.

You’ll be fine.

As well you should. You'd be able to hold a line pretty quick on the bro after class. Commuting will be pretty horrible, but..... If you get hired on the jet, you could be on reserve for a VERY long time. Since we are overstaffed now we don't need to be running many classes. Many of these vacanccies will be filled by current Bro FOs who will keep you on reserve, and eat up the potential new hire slots that you'd want filled by people junior to you. It would be entirely possible (though I won't go as far as to predict it) for reserve in ORD to approach the 1 year mark for FOs. I'd take a commute to a line over a commute to reserve, even if it was the difference of 1 leg vs. 2. You'll actually make significantly more money as a Bro FO first year since line holders are flying much more than jet reserve FOs and make the same per hour.

If you live in the SE, though, why on earth are you set on SkyWest? Have you considered PSA/ASA? Are you a mil guy with TPIC? Gave you tried to call in favors for Big D? Considered corporate?

It's almost there. I've been here about nine months and I'm barely holding a line. But I am! And that means unfettered SkedPlus access with a full complement of reserves! I can do whatever I want!

I was on reserve at home. I chose to commute to a line over sitting reserve at home. That's how much I hate reserve.