UND_Sioux

Hello all.

I need some advice. I have two interviews set up in August. One with Comair and one with Republic. If all goes well, and I am offered jobs from both, which one would you take? The pay looks pretty close, and the upgrade time is a little longer at Comair by a year or two.

My biggest concerns are quality of life, and job stability. I know the Republic is growing fast and picking up new flying with US Airways and Continental, but how are things with Comair and their Bankruptcy troubles with Delta? Can we expect that Delta will start taking flying away from Comair and putting up for bid to Pinnacle or another low bidder like Continental did to Expressjet? And what is happening with Compass Airlines?

Comair has always been stable, but I guess I am just worried. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

If anyone has a copy of the Republic or Comair contract in .pdf format, could you PM me and I will give you my email address.

iflyjets4food

Go with Republic. More bases means more variety and a better chance to live close to home. Also, if the rumor that has been circulated other places that RAH will buy Comair comes true, you'll be on the good side of the deal.

Otto

As someone at Comair, I will tell you GO TO REPUBLIC. Comair is simply too unstable right now and even if things calm down our seniority list is fat with people who have been here a long time and aren't going anywhere which would mean slow movement for you. Look at it this way, Comair will either be bought by someone else or will remain a wholly-owned subsidiary. Neither one of those are places you want to be in...trust me.

UND_Sioux

Thanks for the advice. Anybody else have an opinion?

cyrcadian

Right now Comair doesn't seem like the place to go. Moreover, RAH seems like the place to be with the new deal from CAL, etc. But, things change in a heartbeat.

RAH could stop hiring the day you get your seniority number. Also, Comair could emerge from bankruptcy and be on the verge of hiring many more after you. Both are scenerios are unlikely, but you never know.

If I were you, I'd look at certainties like pay, bases, reserve rules, etc.

Tinpusher007

I think once Comair settles with the F/A's and they know what their cost structure is going to be, DL will award them more flying.

cyrcadian

I have no way to support that claim, but I really think that will be true. The question is, when will the FA's settle. Not to mention the pilot LOA is now void as a result. Alot has to happen before new flying will come.

Mad_dog

Being in the top third of the Comair seniority list, in six months I moved up 31 #'s. The current seniority list is 1632 pilots. I do not know how many left in the last six months, but I believe it was over 100 pilots. There are pilots leaving in bunches. Two days ago I talked to a pilot that came back from furlough, but put his notice in because he got a class with Horizon and he is from Seattle. I just got a class date with a major airline. I was the second person that day to put my resignation in and it wasn't even 10AM.

I cannot tell you the future at Comair, but I can tell you I worked for a professional airline with some great pilots. If you have a good attitude and you are trainable, the training department will do whatever they can to get you through the CRJ program. I have heard horror stories at other airlines.

Currently they are moving a LOT of flying to JFK, not a great place to be based at new hire regional pay. I believe once the dust settles Comair will be growing again.

I have heard rumors, but that is exactly what rumors are.

Once the FA contract is settled, I believe the mechanics and pilots contract will have to be renegotiated. We still have not taken those disgusting looking cuts that airline pilot central advertises. THANKYOU F/A's !!!

Just remember all of Comair's profit goes to Delta, no paying the middle man (Wexford, Ornstein, etc.).

Just trying to give you some facts about the state of Comair.

Do your best at all the interviews! DON'T PICK A FAVORITE UNTIL YOU HAVE THAT CHOICE!!

Best of Luck.

Tinpusher007

For a long time, I have always considered Comair to be the 'gold standard' of regional airlines. I was particularly proud to see all you men and women fight for 89 days to get that contract. Even flying them through CVG, it just seems to be a first class operation from top to bottom, however Im not so naive to think they are not going through a lot of heartburn and uncertainty right now. I think those F/A's should also get the best deal they possibly can. What the company wants to pay them is CRIMINAL! About the JFK flying, I actually live in NY on Long Island. I know what things cost here and that 1st year pay would suck, but if I didn't have to move, I'd be content. BTW, anything in particular that helps or hurts during the interview?

Free Flyer

If you live in Long Island, then pick RAH. They've got the LGA base there, are more stable, and have about 13 bases to pick from if you want to move somewhere else. Did I mention the upgrade time? 2 years to be a captain. I think that speaks for itself. Use the regionals like they use you. Cheap labor. Get that upgrade and then get the heck out of there to someone who actually pays you something.

Also, variety. RAH flies for 5 different code shares right now. If one tanks, who gives a crap, they got flying for 4 other companies. Comair, yep, they've got only one and it's in the crapper right now. Ride the wave and you'll figure it out, but I think it's clear from what everyone else is saying. Pick RP!

Ex-Chautauqua/Republic/Shuttle America guy at a major airline