Rock752000

I've read through a few threads from several months ago in relation to the pros and cons of going to Eagle; but, not being that impulsive CFI/II MEI who jumps at the first potential opportunity/next step that comes along, I'm trying to get more up-to-date insights, preferably from some of the troopers workin the birds at Eagle right now.

I don't know if I can take another commerical maneuvers lesson in the convective heat. So, as the summer months approach, and I embark on the golden 1000TT with plenty of ME, I'm looking forward to, if not desperate, to taking the next step at a reputable company with some career advancement opportunity, stability, good corporate culture... if that still exists at the regional level. Ah $crew it, anybody got the latest goods on Eagle?

I understand AA mainline could potentially recall 400 of their CAs back to the mainline side from AE. Additionally, this little tid-bit of information also was relayed to me that, in the next 10 years, AA will lose 80% of their pilot workforce to mandatory age retirement. Is there hope for a lower upgrade time at Eagle, along with the stability that one would expect under the wings of mothership AMR/AA?

UConnQB14

good buddy of mine has been an FO on the Embraer for the last seven years and has not had any upward mobility except for the switch from Saab to ERJ at the 1.5 year mark... he has tried to jump ship to another carrier, but lack of 121 PIC time is hurting him when looking at JB and SWA, as well as CAL surprisingly

Darby67

AA is scheduled to have about 4500-4700 retirements in the next 10 years. That is only in the 50%ish range not 80%. Right now Eagle is losing about 6 Captains and 20 First Officers a month. Not all the first officers are senior. I've heard a lot are leaving for Chataqua. I've heard a few have left for CAL, Polar, Omni, Gemini, Cathay Pacific and the like. AA just announced that they are permanantly parking 27 more MD80s this year. That could mean 270-300 fewer pilots needed. Recalls I believe won't be within the next year. The rumor was recalls fourth quarter 2006. That rumor was kind of squashed with the parking of the 80s. Believe me, we all want this to turn around. This is coming from a flow back Captain at Eagle. When recalls do happen though it will be a mass exodus.

fosters

Keep in mind, 400 people leaving Eagle, even at the top, won't reduce upgrade time any noticable amount for a new hire. There are 3000 pilots at eagle...

Also, keep in mind by the time the AA retirements come, the flowthru with Eagle will have expired. Don't count on anything to help get you to a major except PIC TURBINE time.

If there is an eagle domicile that is relatively junior that you live in, I could see going to eagle. But I wouldn't go to eagle because you think the upgrade time will go down. Also, a lot of people go to eagle, get some 121 time, and then go to another carrier such as Chautauqua/Republic etc. etc. Although I talked to a buddy at CHQ and there are only 50 people below him in the 145 and he was hired 11 months ago. He said if things continue, he's looking at a 4+ year upgrade.

rickair7777

If you're seriously considerig Eagle, you should look at Mesa too. They will probably hire you with 100+ multi and maybe less than 1000. Upgrade time at Mesa would be about 2 weeks after you reach ATP mins if you're willing to go to JFK.

Eagle has better benefits/vacation and horrible upgrade, but other than that they are about a wash.

racers2207

Finally trying to get out of Riddle, Metro?

sgrd0q

What if you already have ATP mins when you apply to MESA? How long do you have to wait to be senior enough to upgrade in JFK? Also, what equipment? Also, how long are you locked into the equipment they initially assign to you?

calcapt

Why CAL surprisingly?

directbears

Spoken like a true flowback. Delusions of grandeur.

No really, I hope for you flowbacks and Eagle guys that recalls will happen, but I wouldn't call it a "mass exodus". Maybe more like a slooooooow exodus. Think about it. If you all get called back, how long will it take to train you guys back at AA and to train folks at Eagle to take your (well really their) seat?

Also, something to think about for anyone who might think that an AA recall will equate to more upgrades at Eagle. If AA recalls, that probably means they are getting back some of there flying that they used to have which means that flying will have to come from somewhere. Where do you think that might be? Eagle of course. So while recalls might (BIG MIGHT) happen, it will also mean that Eagle will probably lose some or a lot of their flying. This means NO significant changes to upgrade time at that rat hole they call "The Beagle", and don’t count on the senior Eagle captains going anywhere. They b!#ch and moan about Eagle, but they never go anywhere.

Fartknocker

I am an Eagle Saab captain. I have been here 8 1/2 years. I can not hold any jet captain seat in any base. Our most junior captain on any equipment is in LAX on the Saab. Hired in June of 1999. SJU ATR captain is only a couple of months senior to him. So, right now it takes about 7 years to hold captain on a Saab or ATR. That could change. Who knows??

I don't see the upgrade time coming significantly down any time soon, but that's just my opinion.

On the good side, my paycheck has always been in the bank. I can get on a plane and fly all over the country or the world if I want to. I have health care and a modest 401K. The crews I fly with are great fun, and I have made many friends.

A lot of pilots are leaving chasing "the grass is greener on the other side" dream. I hope to be one of them soon.

Overall, it's a decent place to work. It's all what you make of it. Good luck!