I'm in the same boat my friend. The thought of starting at the bottom of the pile at a regional airline again is not getting my tail wagging!

I don't think Gojet is accepting direct entry captains right now, but I'm hearing that those that do get hired are upgrading within 6 months if they have the time.

Lots of politics and haters, but its a job and it will keep you current until things pick up.

 

Ahhhhhhh ye'ole upgrade time question....

The truth is that regardless of what movement there is today referring to a projected upgrade time at any carrier you simply cannot use that as any measure towards an accurate forecast.

With current movement at "carrier A" you can say okay, upgrade times are about 3 years. However, making that kind of forecast assumes the movement will continue at the current pace. Since airlines classically hire and upgrade right up to the point they start to furlough making any kind of decision as to where you will upgrade first is pointless.

You could get hired at the aforementioned "carrier A" then six months later something happens, hiring stops, upgrades stop and talks of furloughs start happening. All the while the other carrier which you had an offer at but turned down just got so desperate they started hiring street captains and you buddy that went there the same time you went to "carrier a" will probably see upgrade in 6 months.

Make your decision based on "Quality of life", base choices, commutability if applicable, pay and contract considerations etc. not upgrade times.

The way the industry is these days you really need to go somewhere that you think you can be happy at for 5 to 7 years as an FO on FO pay. Expecting upgrade has been the "elephant in the room" for many a regional pilot.

Never chase upgrade or equipment!

 

Very well stated, and completely accurate. If you aren't willing to stick it out somewhere for a minimum of 5 years, go elsewhere. Not that you'll be stick there for 5 years, but the chances are better than average that you will.

 

One must ask the question as to why this airline (while all other regional airlines were overstaffed and some even furloughing during the previous 6 years) was constantly hiring and struggling to even properly staff their operation. It should speak volumes.

 

Uhhhhh. because they were GROWING, duh

 

Not sure what you consider GROWING to be exactly, but they only have 47 aircraft. And that's only because they operate 22 for DAL which didn't start delivery until 2011. They were always hiring and having issues years before those aircraft ever started arriving. Think about it... an opertion with 25 aircraft on property shouldnt be too hard to staff with hundreds of furloughed and qualified pilots on the street, yet it was very difficult for GoJetsss.

 

I don't know much about Gojet but RAH is already having major staffing issues with the Q400 and are upgrading people and having them fly both left and right seat since no new hires are wanting to go to the Q. Also, with RAH getting at least 47 E jets for AA that's a lot of upgrades. They may not have the best contract, but people usually expect the worst at a regional anyway. Seems to me like that's the place to go.

 

I disagree with allot of the comments here. Sometimes its best to find a crappy regional with lots of movement. Off reserve quicker, upgrade quicker and get the hell out of there quicker.
Quality of life can be improved by seniority and the extra income upgrade brings.

Good companies (Skywest etc) have too many happy campers who have no intention of leaving. That means long reserve for new hires and 5+ year upgrade.

There are two sides to the argument.

 

However, today's fast upgrade at any given regional, crappy ones included, can literally disappear overnight and go from 2 years to 7. Ask any Pinnacle FO hired in 07 or later....

 

Couldn't agree more. Pick on upgrade time. Yes we all know not every spot requires tpic but I'd be willing to bet it helps.