I agree, the gouges are accurate. I was going to post an update but I would just be reiterating what everyone else already wrote. Very straight forward and they do try to make you feel as comfortable as possible. I'm looking forward to working there.

As far as being with Eagle, I'd choose the ERJ definitely. More bases, routes, flexibility, etc. ERJs at all bases except SJU, with CRJs nice if you live in base but possibility of them switching bases like they did with DFW then you have to commute.
There's really not a huge difference between the ERJ and CRJ but if you talk to a lot of CRJ guys they act like their flying a 777 compared to the ERJ. Quote from a CRJ FO I jumpseated with once, "I would never want to fly the Embraer". :rolleyes:

I won't live at base, but ORD would be easier for me to commute to and will stay with family while on reserve. Is time spent on reserve shorter with the ERJ over the CRJ? If I get the CRJ there may be a chance they will move it out of ORD?

Generally speaking, Embraer aircraft are better than Bombardier. This is coming from years of experience with engineers, test pilots, airline pilots, etc...

With that said, Eagle's CRJs are newer models than the E-145s...kind of like comparing a 2008 Jeta to a 1999 Mercedes. So...they kind of cancel each other out as far as which plane is "better".

The ERJ has FAR more pilots, bases, and routes which means greater flexibility with your schedule.

Fewer pilots on the CRJ side means less time on Reserve. I have actually heard of some CRJ guys who had a line their first month.

On the ERJ side it is currently 7 to 9 months before you can hold a line. However, with enough people below you on Reserve you actually have a higher QOL than a line holder. That is the situation I am living right now...I pick the flights I want, when I want. When I want extra days off I just bid a RAP and sit at home.

The CRJ has first class built in which means you can score meals and drinks that go beyond the ERJ's almonds/cheese tray/water options. This may seem like no big deal now...but trust me when I say that after a LOOOONG duty day, as you get to your hotel at 10pm when everything is closed and you are starving....some almonds and a big bottle of water will make you want to throw the hotel phone out the window.

I chose the ERJ without hesitation. For me the choice was easy as I live in DFW, but even if the CRJs were still based here I still would have picked the ERJ. Like I said before, greater flexibility, more pilots to trade with, and more bases to choose from if/when I move. I just wish we had first class with some nice meals...but oh well.

To hold a line in ORD CRJ if you got hired by jan, you would had a line in june. BUT I think that changed since there are no more deliveries and I say is almost staffed. CRJ slots in the last months have been reduced.

I finally hold a line in ORD for October after 8 months. I've only flown like 15 hrs this month (including yesterday and today), I proffer RAP, they call the guys junior than me and I never get a call. After all, I sit home, eat my food, keep the same 75 hr salary and expend less money. :D

Yes but fly less, get less time toward upgrading, less time on your resume if this place goes south to get a new job, and less time in the plane that you will want for the probi ride.

Just so I am hearing y'all right, if a new hire right now picks ORD CRJ they are going to have a short if no time on reserve? My class is this Monday, and I thought the CRJ choice would doom me to eternal reserve?
Thanks

That sounds like jets to me in the NE US.

I personally hand fly as much as possible... Usually until at least 18000' but sometimes up to cruise.

On landing I'll disengage the autopilot the second I see the runway, even if we are still miles out. I actually love flying the erj and hate to lean on the autopilot the way we all did during our first few hours in the sim.

I have held a line on the crj right out of ioe. All I heard in ground school was how I was doomed to reserve and stupid not to pick the erj dfw. They are all still on reserve and even people in classes ahead of me. I have weekends off and it's all commutable. Every capt I have flown with on the crj has said that the embryo is a giant pos. Only thing they liked about the plane when they were FO's was the anti ice system.