directbears

*I'm glad you like it there. To each there own.

*As do mine - better than when I was at Eagle I'll have to say.

**That's pretty good. I don't know where you are based, but when I was there (ORD) I was lucky to get 15 days off and I was in the top quarter of the domicile list. There is something to be said about living in base. Who knows, I might be singing a different tune if I had, but I hated all the bases except for ORD and its too expensive up there with a family and all.

*As I said, that can change tomorrow, but that's true for every airline. That's why I don't go for that reasoning for going to Eagle. There is NOTHING that makes Eagle/AMR immune to the pitfalls of the industry. How do you think it will be when that contract expires? What do you think will happen when the Flow agreement expires, what this year or next?

*Nor do I. Just because someone does not fly for a living doesn't mean they work more or harder than someone who does. I never take work home. I feel that my flying job was way more stressful when I was at Eagle. Albeit, because I commuted, but it was stressful.

* Then what are your ambitions with Eagle? Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years, especially if you are still at Eagle? I probably shouldn't bash lifers the way I do. I think I was mostly frustrated with lifers at Eagle (there are A LOT of them) because they hold up progress and opportunity for junior pilots, and that is misdirected (boy is it sad when you are at a regional for 6+ years and still considered junior). If it works for you then cool. Good luck with that.

*We each choose our own direction, and I opted out. I'm fine with that. I wouldn't count my blessing just yet with those upgrades. Upgrades are like a yoyo at Eagle. One day you upgrade, the next day you've been displaced AGAIN to the right seat. I'm sure those upgrades were mostly backfills anyway, usually were. But hey, if it really is on the up and up, then good for you all.

jwes

good post flyby1206... and I would agree!

directbears

That is probably a good attitude, especially at Eagle. I'm not saying that everyone that is senior should go somewhere else. Some people are victims of circumstance, and for them I understand. I never looked at the regionals as a stopping point, I think that they should be used as stepping stones to bigger and better things. It is of my opinion that regionals are just structured that way. I know some people just can't move to the next level for what ever reason, but the ones that don't even try or are looking for a free ride (i.e. the failed flow through) are the types that (IMHO) hold up everyone else. I know some will argue that all of the regionals are becoming this way, but Eagle has a long history of folks that just don't leave due to lack of ambition, the inability, ego, poor record, or whatever.

As far as possibly making captain, I really don't keep myself up at night thinking about it. I don't think I would have taken junior SAAB somewhere even if I could have. I would be the most junior CA with crappier QOL than I already had as an FO and not make much more. If it made way for someone junior then great. I think he would have only 400 - 500 numbers more till jet CA from what the list looked like when I left, and for those not familiar with Eagle, 400 - 500 numbers would take the better part of 4 to 5 years to make. Mostly due to the flowbacks, and attrition on the high end is nearly non-existent.

Sounds like you either have it all figured out or you are so laid back you don't care. In either case, good for you. Again, good luck with that.

directbears

I got out of flying. I have your usual weekday job (I wouldn't call it nine to five because I make my hours for the most part).

To answer your question, there are not many choices as an FO at Eagle. That's one of the reasons I got out. Lateral sucks and you can't go to bigger and better things because of the lack of 121 PIC and it will take a LONG time to get that at Eagle (depending on your seniority). That’s why I call Eagle the FO purgatory.

If I were to move lateral, I would go to a place where the upgrade is fast. That's the only way to get anywhere. Is it a risk? Yes, but if you do not want to spend a decade or better as the guy/gal in the right seat then it is the better choice. If I were to do it again, I would have gone the quick upgrade route. I have MANY friends that went to such places and they ALL have great jobs (SWA, CAL, UPS, AirTran). If you are content with Eagle then that's what works for you.

I know you Eagle guys that see my posts are quick to jump on me or whatever, but I just try to tell newbies how it is at Eagle and it is geared more towards the ones that want to move on to bigger and better things. Eagle is not the path to take if that is what one is looking for.

Flyby1206

So you got out of flying completely but still make time to log onto this website to warn newbies about Eagle....ok. Regardless, the upgrade time at Eagle is no secret. Its long. I think there is something to be said about QOL and living where you would like. While you didnt approve of the base choices at Eagle there are many that make it work for them. If I had 1000hrs of jet PIC time today I honestly dont know where I would go. FedEx? SWA? It takes a lot more than turbine PIC to get into those places. Maybe CAL? But you can get into CAL without turbine PIC. Airtran? Sure, fly around a widebody 717 RJ and be based in ATL. The ****ed off people here at Eagle are the ones who are right on the verge of upgrade, 6-8yr seniority. Everyone else I have met out of 3000 pilots are generally in good spirits.

2dotslow

Wow! Six to eight years to upgrade at a regional? That is insulting, regardless of the size of the outfit. Actually, someone calling Boeing's DC-9 an RJ is insulting enough.

Frank Rizzo

And what do you call all the 737's we have, light twins? The DC-9-10 must have been an ultralight.

Say what you want about the 717, it doesn't pay like an RJ though.

jwes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4GS8t9lKFw
a little more fun to show...

SebastianDesoto

The funny thing is, the more ambitious (in terms of money, career progression etc...) the unhappier I became. I forgot to live for fun while becoming a pilot. Ironic that I decided on this career path thinking I'd be happier eh? Anyway, I choose SJU (they are offering choice of domicile btw) because I have been to the islands and knew I wanted to end up there eventually. Its like a pipe dream come true to think I may get to fly all over the Caribbean and spend my days off surfing and living by the ocean again. I fully intend to start learning Spanish ASAP after training.

I assume the original poster has a similar interest or otherwise would not have asked.

Now...I'd like to ask this question of the SJU AE pilots. Is there a company surf club? Man, we could plan trips to some neat places around there

I'm not completely closed to all the other fun water sports. I'll try anything once. Damn I miss the ocean. I am hating this desert life

Gurucito

Departing from POS and at 400 feet they give you a new whole clearence...

Priceless...