Looking for the best (for me) regional
 

I'm currently flying right seat in various King Air models for a part 135 carrier and although going to just about any regional will mean a small pay cut for me, I can make more after upgrading at any regional than I will at my current company. I'd like to make the move around August-September this year.

Here's the situation: My girlfriend will be living in Clemson, SC then and I'd like to move in with her. Clemson is about a 2.5 hour drive from Atlanta Hartsfield. So my ideal situation would be being based in ATL and working for a decent company. I'd like to be able to get off reserve ASAP and then be able to bid lines so that I can make that commute without too much trouble. (I realize that will take close to a year anywhere.) By August I should have about 1000 Total Time, 700 Multi, and 600 Turbine.

So the big question is where should I apply? How hard is it to get ATL based with Skywest? What about Republic's ATL base? What are the chances that ASA will start hiring again by August? Since I currently have a stable job and am building time and making money, I can afford to be somewhat picky.

Thanks in advance.

its all a crap shoot my friend...... RAH's shuttle domicile in ATL has about 60-65 crews bunch of new guys just came on to the bid sheet this month. You might have to be based elsewhere with shuttle for a few months or as much as a year who knows.... the next 6-18 months in this biz should be a wild ride...up for some....not so much for others.

I would go to ASA. If you are hired by ASA, you will be based in ATL (it is their only base). No wild cards.

Both Skywest and Republic have ATL bases. Both of these airlines are considered slightly better than ASA, but there is a good chance you will not be based in ATL. Skywest is only hiring for the EMB, and that means west coast for atleast one year. Republic may put you on the Chataqua certificate (meaning 50 seaters), and thus you will not be able to bid ATL until you are able to change equipment (and I believe Republic has a seat lock).

ASA is a good regional. They are not one of the best (IMO), but they are probably the best choice for you. Skywest or Republic should probably be your 2nd choices.

I would go for ASA. In my compare-and-contrast conversations with friends at ASA they are comparable to RAH. Plus, you will be guaranteed to be based in ATL. Of course, when they start hiring again is anyone's guess. But that's the same for almost all regional's across the board.

Whatever you do, the profession will thank you for not working for:
Colgan
Mesa
Go Jet
Pinnacle

SkyWest's ATL base is very, very small...and most likely will not grow much at all. In fact, it's been shrinking quite a bit as -900 flying is re-allocated out West. I'd say ASA is your best bet!

If you want to live in ATL, ASA is probably your best bet... I am an Atlanta guy and ASA works out for me.

Although you will not get many arguments on your list the original poster specified that ATL was a requirement. Keep on topic please.

At least he got three constructive replies before this


(by the way, only one of those four have ATL as a base)

To try to be constructive:
With Clemson 2.5 hours drive to ATL, you would still need a crash pad while on reserve since i know of no regionls that permit 2.5+ hour call outs.

Also, I believe GSP is only about an hour from Clemson. You might consider it.

But then he'd have nothing to post about...:rolleyes: