bigtime209

I was just wondering how American Eagle pilots enjoy flying the ATR in SJU. How is life in San Juan? What are the typical schedules, out and backs or frequent overnights? What is the cost of living like in Puerto Rico. How hard is it for a new hire with low seniority to get based in SJU?

Any feedback from ACTUAL Eagle pilots would be greatly apreciated.

Browntail

What about the large amount of upgrading eagle captains that are still electing to flow through vs eagle rights? The elusive carrott still dangles in front of them!

rytheflyguy

I think it is pretty easy - guessing the most Jr because a friend of mine was the youngest in her class and that is what she got.

I never asked how she liked it but she quit within 3 months...

flyerNy

When I was at Eagle there were many that quit right after getting placed in puerto rico. Others told me that if they got it they would have quit too.

surreal1221

I don't think SJU is something that a lot of us are willing to live / work in. I'm certainly not willing to commute to SJU everyday either. May be way I won't even seek employment w/ AE.

cloudkicker1981

What happen to asking a question on here and getting an answer...........to many doche bags i guess. I would look up on google for the cost of living, and as far as quality of life, if u dont have a family it propably would be fun for a year or 2 intell you could bid out.

Flyby1206

I fly for Eagle but have not spent any time in SJU, but have several friends there and I go down often to visit and check things out. The flying is awesome and very challenging. Full NDB approaches, weather, terrain avoidance, etc. You have to be on your game down there. Cost of living is average. I think my buddy stays in a 3 bedroom in a nice area on the beach for 1800/mo. SJU is a junior base and if there are any spots available in your newhire class then I am sure you could get it. Based in SJU as a newhire you should hold a hard-line (no reserve) after about the 2nd month. If you are single and young it is an incredible place!! If you are narrow minded and can't handle a new culture, then it might not be for you. If you are OK with walking into a bar full of hot latin women dancing then its a good spot. The beach is great, lots of great surfing and kite-surfing in PR. Overall, I wish I could have gone to PR instead of the northeast when I was a newhire. Check this site for some videos of the ATR going around the caribbean: http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=jwes
Schedules are mainly out-and-backs with short (8-12hr) overnights. Some legs are very short (30 mins) and some are longer (2:30+). Wide variety of day trips, 2-day, 3day, 4days avaiable. Here is a sample 4-day trip that was in open time for next month:

DT EQ FLT STA DEP STA ARR AC FLY GTR GRD ACT
SKD 12 14 5028 SJU 1520 SDQ 1639 1.19 0.31
SKD 12 14 5029 SDQ 1710 SJU 1832 1.22 1.48
SKD 12 14 5032 SJU 2020 LRM 2126 1.06
D/P SKD 3.47 P/C 0.00 TL 3.47
HALF DAY COUNT LRM 2
SKD TL 3.47 ACT TL 0.00
SKD ONDUTY 7.21 ODL 9.59
SKD 13 14 5033 LRM 0840 SJU 0954 1.14 2.06
SKD 13 14 5190 SJU 1200 PTP 1344 1.44 0.26
SKD 13 14 5097 PTP 1410 SJU 1556 1.46 1.04
SKD 13 09 5154 SJU 1700 STX 1748 0.48 0.27
SKD 13 09 5155 STX 1815 SJU 1906 0.51 1.29
SKD 13 09 5144 SJU 2035 STT 2115 0.40
D/P SKD 7.03 P/C 0.00 TL 7.03
HALF DAY COUNT STT 2
SKD TL 7.03 ACT TL 0.00
SKD ONDUTY 13.35 ODL 9.45
SKD 14 09 5143 STT 0800 SJU 0844 0.44 0.41
SKD 14 09 5138 SJU 0925 STT 1003 0.38 0.38
SKD 14 09 5139 STT 1041 SJU 1130 0.49 0.40 ¥
SKD 14 09 5020 SJU 1210 STX 1258 0.48 0.27
SKD 14 09 5021 STX 1325 SJU 1417 0.52 1.43
SKD 14 14 5088 SJU 1600 NEV 1721 1.21
D/P SKD 5.12 P/C 0.00 TL 5.12
HALF DAY COUNT NEV 2
SKD TL 5.12 ACT TL 0.00
SKD ONDUTY 10.36 ODL 12.24
SKD 15 14 5089 NEV 0700 SJU 0818 1.18
D/P SKD 1.18 P/C 0.00 TL 1.18
SKD TL 1.18 ACT TL 0.00
SKD ONDUTY 2.33
SEQ SKD 17.20 P/C 0.00 TL 17.20 TAFB 66.13

directbears

I'm an ACTUAL ex-Eagle pilot. Does that count?

I can tell you how it was when I did my time on the "Rock" about seven years ago. I hated it personally, but there are a few people that love the island lifestyle. If you have a family, you probably won't like it too much. Commuting wasn't very easy and usually involved two or more flights to commute each way (if you plan on commuting). Yeah the whole island life is kind of neat for the first couple of weeks, but I thought it got old really fast. The actually flying was pretty neat (I don't know about it being that challenging though), but the overnights sucked (back then so I don't know about now) because they usually are scheduled 8 hours and 2 day back to backs. Also, the locals don't care much for gringos and the Puerto Rican crews WILL talk about you in Spanish so I'd bone up on the language. Some are cool, but most make you feel uncomfortable because they constantly talk to each other in Spanish. I guess when in Rome.....so learn Spanish and probably be happier down there.

Really, if I were a newbie, I would choose a different avenue than Eagle. That place is a real dead end and is notorious for killing or at least stalling a career. However, if you are happy with no advancement (upgrade), being pay capped as an FO, and a company culture that is notoriously anti-employee (as in they don't value their employees at all) then I say go for it.

directbears

I figured I could count on you to take a jab at me instead of giving some real insight on Eagle. Is it that you love that place so much as to defend it by making derogatory statements to those who have the balls, skill, or ambition to get out, or do you make comments like that because you are pi$$ed at the fact that you are stuck in a dead end job where your management does not value you? Or maybe you are upset that you (I mean the pilot group by you) will always be second rate to "big brother" while you all chant how you are a “major airline” in the eyes of the DOT. Really, your comment doesn’t deserve a response, but of course I can’t resist.

And yes, I stayed around for 6+ years getting close to the upgrade three times just to have it yanked out of my grasp each time. After the third time of getting screwed by the circumstances, babysitting flowbacks, and fed up with the company culture I opted out. Why are you still there? Are you still chasing the dangling carrot? Don’t give me the sh!t about how stable it is and your check doesn’t bounce because that can change tomorrow.

Maybe in future posts you’ll have more insightful and intelligent things to say.

Flyby1206

where do you work now directbears? I am just curious as to where a good move would be at this point.