If history of the airlines comes into play, and who has been able to compete and come out without too much pain, and has had a history of that, then you are looking at Skywest, ASA, and Republic. These, in the worst time for aviation, have done relatively well. Each are positioned better than most with 70-100+ seat airplanes which I'm told is the future of small jet flying. Republic is changing it's business model so no one really knows how that is going to turn out. Eagle has also weathered the storm, but who knows what AMR is about to do to them.
PNCL had a good hold on 900's and good deal with turbo props with the Q400's, but Delta actually owns all of their 900s, and there is a stipulation written into these contracts that if delta wants these jets back they can take them. (same with all the 900s that are flying Delta colors)

Good luck! Trans states just put a firm order for 50 Mitsubishi jets. Who knows what that will turn into.

 

In 2 years Gojet will be the place to be. But that's a can of worms.

 

Deleted....

 

Tell me where you live and I may be able to give you a more educated opinion.

 

Are you a pilot in the military? If so, raise your standards. You can go straight from the military to Delta, Fedex, Southwest, Jetblue, etc. Why waste your time flying for food stamp wages at the regionals?

 

The home website of this forum has some great info on hiring and profiles for each company, free as well:

http://www.airlinepilotcentral.com/airlines.html

 

Not entirely true. 16 of the -900s belong to 9E, but all the -900s at XJ are Delta owned. As for taking the jets back, they'll have to renegotiate the air services agreement they signed as part of the XJ purchase. The -200s are Delta owned as well, but were at contractual minimums on those airframes per the ASA signed with Northwest. They could land us in court to dump them like they did with Freedom, but I don't see that happening unless we screw up really badly.

 

Don't ASA and Skywest have a butt load of DL 50 seater's. To me that sounds way scary for the future. But, if 6 years ago someone told me that at OH I would have laughed, I had to bail fast before that ship went under

 

I find it interesting going back and reading posts from back in 2007. Especially that enormous Comair thread. Sounds like a great place, big hiring and awesome QOL. It's interesting to follow it along and watch the wheels fall off ( I said interesting, not good).

What is good one day, is in the dumps the next and what is in the dumps one day... is still in the dumps today.

 

What branch do you serve in? Like someone else already said, if you are a pilot in the military with fixed wing time, there is no need for you to even consider the regionals......shoot for jetblue, swa, or any of the majors.......even FedEx and UPS.

If you are NOT a pilot in the military, then pretty much follow what others on here have already said. The only other things i would consider and think about in addition to what others have talked about are......your age.......and are you married?........and do you have any kids or dependents? The ideal position you want to be in that'll give you the most flexibility is not married, no kids, and be somewhere in you early to mid 20s. Not to say that you are wasting your time if you are in your late 20s or 30s, married, with kids!

Goodluck!