donk,

I recommend you grab a six pack, sit down in front of your computer, and go through all 3,235 posts in this thread. Although some of the earlier posts are obviously outdated, going through the entire thread is the best way to gain a broad perspective of life at AE...from both the die hard supports and die hard haters. At the end of your review, you'll find that all of your questions will be answered several times.

Good luck in your job search,

WpC17

As far as pay information goes, you can find that here towards the bottom half of the page, including monthly mins for line and reserve and per diem rates, plus 401k: Airline Pilot Central - American Eagle | Major-National-LCC

Wish I could answer more of your questions. If only we could all see the crystal ball...

DUDE COME ON, 90% of these questions were answered in the last 10 pages! READ :D

Maybe I need to explain. I am a lifetime AF pilot. Never flew for the airlines. As I read this thread, it looks like it is by and for airline types. Y'all speak a totally different language than I do. I have no idea what all this stuff means. Short calls, RSV, 135s, etc. I have no idea what it is y'all are saying.
I spent two hours last night reading this and am just confused...much like you would probably be if you sat in on an Air Force staff meeting as we tossed around our jargon and acronyms.
So what I was hoping for was something to the effect of: "You'll end up making about $XXK a year before taxes. If you get based in DFW and are sitting reserve, you'll end up being home XX nights a month. There is no telling what will happen to Eagle but it looks like it will fold in three years because..."
Something that an outsider could understand.
Those of you who enjoy throwing snide comments because it makes you feel more manly, go for it. But those of you who really want to help an outsider, I'd be much obliged.

some guys wife has been posting the last 2 weeks and asked the same questions, I do not know how much more simple it could be made! I thank you for your service and understand your out sider looking in, however all this stuff has been answered in plain language. Like I just said, a wife of a flight instructor who never worked airlines came in and asked all these questions.

FYI, Mesaba made out pretty damn good in our merger. No, doom and gloom here.

I think Compass as well came out of the spin off without getting smashed. Too much doom gloom and crying comair, but Comair would be better off they could just get spun off.

donk,

I feel your pain...I retired last summer and also had a very hard time deciphering the civilian flying world/nomenclature. Not trying to be an ass, but you got to go out and "earn" that knowledge and not have anyone spoon feed it to you. Your exact questions have been asked in this very thread (hint, the search function here at Airline Pilot Central (APC) is pretty good).

Also, I STRONGLY recommend this book: Everything Explained for the Professional Pilot. I got it off of Amazon for $54 and it was well worth the cost.

WpC17

I made the transition last last year, I know people are giving you lip but they are absolutely correct. You just need to go and read around as much as possible. Go back about a month here, there have been allot of questions answered. The resin people are so upset is because this questions get answered all the time. Anyhow, Eagle right now we don't know the details on our future. It really varies as far as QOL, Quality of life. You could be on reserve for a year or you could hold a line (set flying schedule). Varies on base, equipment and month. About how many days at home you will be. Well that varies as well. On the ERJ (One of the jets eagle has) you could go all overthe county on while on reserve not be home for 6 days. ATR (the turbo prop, FYI... Young guys hate it because of SJS (shiny jet syndrome)). Anyhow ATR you could be home often. You might not get DFW from day one but you might be able to bid it if the positions open, these are called vacancy bids, kind of like the dream sheet you filled. Everything is seniority (rank) you upgrade (captain) when your number is called, even if the guy ahead of you is 25 and started flying 3 years ago, if he came to the company before you he will always be senior to you. Now I have a question for you, why Eagle when you could have better options out there like Southwest, AA amongst other. Not that you want the bigger airplanes burghs Major airline carriers have a better QOL and benefits. Eagle is a good regional and thus why AMR what's it to change because people can make a decent living here (captain making 6 figure working less than half the month and spending most nights at home with family). This is why eagle is uncertain right now, the company is trying to move senior pilots so someone else can do the job at 60% of the cost. Feel free to ask other questions but Please, please, please go back and reed... Now I am asking you, know of any guard unit or resets hiring pilots?

I would apply to every major that's hiring. SWA, AA (in the spring), Delta (also in the spring), FedEx, Alaska, Atlas, JetBlue, then see who bites. Don't set your sights on one particular company only...and if you go to Eagle, I guarantee you won't choose to stay very long because of the opportunities available.