The problem is that upgrade times and time on reserve changes so drastically. Look at GoJet, Silver and GLA. Airplanes will be parking by the hundreds in the next two years and the large RJ on property will likely change hands. RAH screwed United with the Q400 flying and so did Delta via Pinnacle. I wouldn't be surprised to see airplanes from RAH making their way to SKW.

 

That way RAH will be able to concentrate in the new puppy...AA feed.

I hope other airlines pilots keep the line on the sand and we will see some improvement. Not holding my breath...

 

You are telling him not to chase an upgrade yet advising to go to Compass where there is a lot of movement and a potential quick upgrade... sort of contradicting.

There is honestly no good advice when picking a regional besides picking the one where you can live in base or have an easy commute. That is honestly should be your top priority when picking. Every regional is crap. No regional is safe. When it looks like there is massive movement one day, its furloughs the next. So while you are stuck in regional purgatory you mine as well go for the best QOL by living in base, or in a city where your parents live so you can live rent free for awhile.

 

The problem is that everything you see isn't yours for the taking, your at the back of the line. If upgrade times are fast when you hire, they will probably be longer by the time your seniority number is called because they upgraded such a large number when you were hired. Its like an airline hiring like crazy when you get to your 250hr CPL. By the time you get to the 1500hr mark that airline probably did all of its big hiring and unless some massive growth happens, hiring will halt for a good while.

Heres some factoids to consider: the regional industry will not be expanding anymore, and fleets will add larger aircraft to replace smaller ones, so you have a net loss in pilot demand at regionals. My point being is that in a pursuit of taking a worse off regional to get a fast upgrade, you run the the risk of that airline consolidating its list with somewhere else or getting furloughed. So now instead of accelerating your careers its stalled, and your stuck at a company you dont want to be with. I believe as we've seen with the majors over the past 20 years, we will see the same at the regional level over the next several years. Fewer companies existing that is.

 

Go where you can live in base period. I can only imagine the QOL one would have by living in base.

 

It's true. Even reserve when you're in base isn't bad. It might even be preferable at times.

 

You really have to just read a lot and try to decide what is best for YOU and your career. Pay? Upgrade time? QOL?

It is surprising what other details of a contract can do to add to QOL.

When was hired into the regionals, I had a several choices for interviews. I choose a solid contract and QOL. IF I had chased the upgrade and home base, I would have upgraded in 3 years instead of almost 6.
A flip side to that is a friend who choose home base. He upgraded quickly, got his 1000pic and then went off to one of the best companies out there. He has since lost his life in a crash.
Another good friend ended up commuting, but upgraded quickly and is now super senior at the company. He makes good money and has choosen his family 1st with a good schedule and a simple drive to work.

I won't for a second, 2nd guess my decisions as it has led me to my current job, which I love. You should have, or at least will start to hear that you can't really know if you did your airline career right until you have retired.

I am a bit out of touch with the regional market in the States now, but keep reading. (fast since you have a offer) Skywest is a good company. No matter which company you go to, there will always be "that guy/gal", so ignore the sarcastic stupidity when it comes to comments about your career.

Go with your gut and do what you think is best for you. Just my $.02

 

You're putting words in my mouth. I never said go to Compass for a quick upgrade did I?? I can't find it if I did say that. Being junior FO on reserve typically isn't good QOL, especially if you have to commute. So, when I mention high turn over rate or a lot of movement that could mean moving up the FO list a little faster to be able to hold a line and have a little better QOL. So, no, I didn't contradict myself. You assumed I meant a quick upgrade.

 

I think some of the information being presented here is wrong. First and foremost, I think we need some more information from you. Where do you live? How many hours do you have? Like someone already said, you'll need 1000 hours 121 time to upgrade so if you're new to the industry, it will be at least a year and a half before you upgrade even if you fly your @$$ off. I am not bashing skywest here. I think it's a pretty good airline (as far as regionals go). I'm just trying to clarify some information about TSA. Upgrade was 6 years ago. Now they are saying upgrade will be 12 months (if you have the time). Right now the minimums are 3500 (500 hours at TSA counting as 1000). I believe the 3rd or 4th guy down the standing bid list for CA is a September 2012 hire. There's supposedly an upgrade class of 10 scheduled for September. The contract here is pretty decent compared to what it was 2 years ago. We have about average pay (maybe slightly above average), cancellation pay, but work rules could use some work. The new DO has improved relations with the union dramatically. Again, I'm not saying TSA is better or Skywest is a bad company. I just wanted to get the correct information out about TSA. Most important thing is probably where you are based. If either company has a base where you live, you should probably go there. Commuting is something you want to avoid at all costs.

 

You are right, I apologize. I did assume you meant a quick upgrade by lots of movement. When I think movement, I think quick potential upgrade especially at a smaller company like Compass.

That being said, I agree that Compass is a good choice given the current circumstances, however my point was movement doesn’t mean anything at the time until you are sitting top on the list and its already happened. I went to my first regional during massive movement where upgrades were at 2 years, now there are 6-7 year FOs that may not ever see an upgrade.