BigToe

First post here greetings to all.

Got invitations to interview. One form American Eagle and one form Pinnacle.

I've never flown for the comuters before and am anctious to get back in the air and start flying again.

I was wondering any thoughts from anyone?

I know the upgrades at eagle are pretty bad but they do offer choice of base. Also they have no training contract.

How are the upgrade times at Pinancle?

I've already accepted the interview for Eagle but I'm not sure about the training contract at Pinnacle so I'm holding out before I accept an interview from them.

At Pinnacle where do the new hires get sent and what aircraft?

As far as eagle I would like jets and chicago. If I get chicago what aircraft would I be put on?

Any thoughts from anyone?

Thanks in advance.

Airsupport

i will give you the pinnacle side, since i work here.

there is no training contract. hence people get their time here and move on to greener pastures (although there really isn't anywhere to go right now). you can pretty much get your base and airplane that you want right out of training. the only place that is tough to get into right now is msp. times are tough at all the regionals. lots have stopped hiring, some have asked their pilots to take voluntary leaves. pinnacle has been in contract negotiations for 3 years now. our contract was signed in 1999. our work rules and pay show it. there are a few plus sides however. we are still growing, we still even in the market down turn cant hire enough pilots, and upgrades right now are still as soon as you have the time (still had vacancies go unfilled on last post). we have a big rally in mem on may 1st if you would like to join us and see what we are fighting for.

andy171773

It doesn't hurt to just interview at both, and then form an opinion of their operations/HR/corporate culture...then start asking these questions so you can have your own experience with both airlines, that combined with other peoples opinions will probably be more helpful than just getting their opinions with nothing to crosscheck it with.

Flitestar

Good info, Airsupport.

I dream of ATL... If I pass the interview...If I get offered an interview...

BigToe

Wow things sound better than I thought at pibnnacle. I think I'll call them and accept their invitaiton.

How do things look for detroit or memphis. Would I be sitting reserve forever?

I went to one of the kit darby job seminars and that is where I got the info about training contracts.

My goal is to fly as much as I can and don't want to sit reserve for ever.

How much flying do you get per month?

Thanks in advanceagain

BigToe

Say you have the PIC time to upgrade, is there an amount of time you have to sit as FO or be employed at Pinnacle before you can upgrade??

Thanks again

Spooled

I'm warning you to not go to Pinnacle. Look what happened to the last guy I warned (theprofessionalpilot).

You must have 100 hours at Pinnacle to upgrade. If you enjoy 10 days off or less, and getting abused. Pinnacle runs things very tight. Reserves fly more than normal line holders.

Reserve is probably around 6 months. Probably shorter in DTW, and MEM. As a captain you will be on reserve for minimum of 2 years.

Avoid Pinnacle until we get a better contract.

BigToe

That's too funny
What happenned to the last guy you warned??

Anyway I just called them and set up an interview date. They said there is a 50 question test right out fo the ATP book. Dam I hate test like that.
I'll take a sim test over a written test anyday of the week.

Are the questions the hardest questions out of the ATP book or what??

GUys this all helps very much thanks

BigToe

TT 5200hr fixed wing

weirdbiz

Think i would go to pinnacle if i were you. I work for eagle, and the upgrade time is gonna be minimum 4-5 best case, worst case is that things go to hell when we get sold and we lose the AA feed.