Several of us were. When the SEA and PDX rj bases were announced, many of the emb folks put their bids in for transition. Captain and FO. A few rj captains actually had their bids in to downgrade as well. We were all bypassed and pilots junior to us already on the rj were used to staff both bases. Our "contract" clearly states that vacancies will be staffed according to seniority. Nowhere does it say you have to be qualified on the equipment first. I had our chief on a flight one day. When asked why we were all bypassed his answer was basically "that's just how we do it." I told him that wasn't right. He shrugged his shoulders and offered no other explanation. We all make trades for something that is more valuable to us. Some for the paycheck, some for quick PIC time and some of us for the quality of life. We waited our turn, put up with crappy schedules and pay. When the opportunity we wanted presented itself the company screwed us all over. yay, go team...

 

Which company or airline was that???? What did your union do?? I assume nothing........

 

Haha, well technically you're correct. I'll bet the SkyWest union did nothing.

 

Even if you had ALPA, they would do nothing, pat themselves on the back for doing nothing, take credit if the company makes it right, then send you some crap in the mail asking for a donation.

 

Well no, I'm from Canada...things work a little differently up here. I'm not trying to upset anyone, I just didn't understand why people are so eager to jump in line for low paying jobs-I didn't realize there was that steep of a wage increase in the following years.

I make 31 K a year right seat on the metro, upgrade time is about 1.5 years. Probably another 7 months for me or so. Doing 1000 hours a year. Starting wage is 57 K for left seat. I would describe my gig as very good-great schedule, best job security in the industry, good jump seat agreements, great QOL. At my company, we always talk about the US regionals and never understood how anyone could manage to sit in a right seat of an RJ at such low pay! So I'm merely curious...

Sorry to upset! BTW, I Was being sarcastic about making more than most regional CAs


Duvie, thanks for the post! That helps explain a bit to me. Glad to hear your QOL is great! I'm one of those guys that really wants to see all pilots enjoy good QOL, I think we deserve it...

 

I know upgrade time at the combined Pinnacle for me will be over 8 years, if you get hired now at Pinnacle....maybe 6 years.

 

Can someone tell me which airline is which? The only one I know is QX being Horizon

9E, 9L, XJ, etc.

Sorry for being naiive.

 

9e = pinnacle
9l = colgan
xj = mesaba

all of these may eventually become one, but currently they are all owned onder pncl corp

 

I know some US regional FO's who are making just about as much as your metro captains so I wouldn't be patting myself on the back too much if I were you.

 

I turned down an interview with Skywest and a $1500 signing bonus from Chataqua back in the beginning of 2007 chasing a quick upgrade. I'm still in the right seat.

Ask me how much I regret my decision everyday....


Choose a regional you can see yourself getting stuck at. These people touting airlines with quick upgrades, just remember, something can happen in the next few months, or years, leaving you in the right seat.

You hold out for the best, unless you consider yourself a crappy pilot that can only get hired on by the crappiest regionals!