The best regional is not to even go to a regional. I would have been sitting right seat in a citation but i choose to leave and go to a regional to this day I hate myself for it. If you can log some TPIC then do it you will be doing yourself a favor.

 

I think it was the most constructive reply of all doing the industry a favor

 

Obviously, as everybody has suggested your best choice is currently ASA. In a few months.... who knows?

When you leave your King Air gig, how about referring me for the job? Where is it based?

 

I don't know how much you get paid, but I've always thought that a king air job would be sweet. You got hired with 400tt 100ME? I'd say you're doing pretty well, and would assume that you would upgrade when you get ATP mins. I'd say stay where you are until you get to ATP mins and if you still want to jump ship then do it... Ever look at Planesense / Alphaflying. They've got an ATL base, pay well and you work 7 on / 7 off.

 

if i was to guess i would say he didn't get paid a thing. had a buddy who did the same thing, and he was from the atlanta area.

frustrates the heck outta me when people do this, but that's just the way it is. owners of those operations know they have you by the balls when you need that ME time.

 

Thanks for the quick responses. I think I'm just going to wait and see if things get going again at ASA. I heard some speculation that since ASA had to take over a lot of Delta's MD-80 flying while they were grounded, Delta may want ASA to increase their fleet size just in case something like that were to happen again. It's just something I heard through the grapevine and I'll believe it when I see it.

As far as GSP goes, it's only about 1:15 from Clemson and that would be an option for commuting. I'm definitely not an expert on jumpseating but I'm not sure if there would be enough flights out of there to anyone else's bases. If anyone has any input on that I'd appreciate it.

I've heard enough horror stories about Mesa, GoJet, Pinnacle, and Colgan to stay away. One day I was flying the King Air with the chief pilot here and we were talking about the regionals and when I mentioned Colgan his response was, "Why would anyone want to fly what is basically a longer version of this thing without an autopilot for eight hours a day?"

I would upgrade when I hit 135 PIC mins (1200 total, 500 XC, etc.) but only if there was a spot open to upgrade. And then it would be single pilot passenger charter in a Baron. To get any TPIC I'd have to wait until another spot opened up to upgrade to the 90. The flying part of my job isn't bad. Keep in mind that when you're the FO on a King Air (charter or corporate) you're also the flight attendant, baggage handler, caterer, and cleaning crew.

Other big reasons for me liking the regionals right now is the schedule they offer (I know you think I'm crazy.) Right now I get four hard days off a month and the rest of the time I'm on a one hour callout 24/7. So to me going somewhere like ASA where you start with 11 hard days off a month and having a 2 hour callout sounds like a good deal.

I thought Alpha Flying was only based out of somewhere in New Hampshire. 7 on/7 off would be amazing. I'll have to do some more research.

 

alpha is out of Manchester NH

 

Didnt ASA stop hiring?

 

The same reason people take a pay cut to go to the regionals. I am not trying to be snotty; I too took a big (50%) pay cut to come here. I fought the good fight as long as I could (trying to avoid the regionals and the pay cut), but only having single pilot experience, none of the majors or nationals would look at me.

And as to why I didn't stay 91/135, I was tired of working for companies that closed doors, sold out, or just got rid of the airplane(s). Believe it or not, a regional offered more security (at least the ice wasn't as thin).

Good luck whereever you go

 

They moved their operation to KPSM in Portsmouth NH now. They also do have a base in Atlanta, KPDK.

KPSM is only 6 miles from my house, I have to admit the thought of a 5 minute commute is enticing at times.