XJTGuy,

Thanks...your reply was awesome. I think I have enough data to go on. Mind you, the pilots I've met for both regionals have been exceptionally nice and professional. I personally have an affinity for the regional jets, my bank account on the other hand has issues. I can not fathom the responsibility shared by the Capt's and F.O.'s on the regional jet side, the training, blood sweat and tears to get to a 121 operation, and the insanely low pay scales, even after the first year. I hope that post August (ATP requirements etc.) and the regionals having to compete for the same pilots as the mainlines, that someone in the high clouds will re-evaluate the compensation thing for all regional folks, regardless of whether I'm still in it or not. I have a very high opinion of the regional pilots I've met and I appreciate everyones interest in helping to peel back some layers of the onion for us new guys to comprehend.

I have usually heard good things about QOL and pay at both XJT and Eagle. Are they about equal in that regard or does one have a better contract?

Both have their good and bad parts in their contracts.

Vyperdriver,

I was hired at Eagle in 99 with 2 viper and one hornet guy. They were all at mainline AA within 6 months. IDK if it will be the same now as far as hiring, but I wouldn't worry about getting to AA from Eagle.

Keep in mind the training environment at both Eagle and XJT. Eagle tends to be on the tougher side, and they are still not training under AQP which is a more realistic and perhaps forgiving method of training. XJT training is AQP and I have heard people refer to their training mentality as "no child left behind"... if you are at all concerned about your "trainability" at a 121 carrier, you might want to consider XJT, because you certainly don't want a training failure on your record going into this hiring cycle at the majors.