BTW I moved back 10% in base because of the BRO transfers.

Isn't this your 3rd airline in 2 years? Hard to take advice from someone who can't make up their own mind.

How do you know that he'll move faster over there? Can you predict who will win every contract that is up within the next two years? I know plenty of people who have tried to chase upgrades and failed or taken gambles on airlines and timed it wrong. Picking a good stable company is much more of a sure thing than picking someplace 'promising' quick upgrades.

If you're so sure of the upgrade and both of these airlines have an ORD base why aren't you going over to TSA yourself? Same base and according to you faster movement and better pay.

3rd in 3years first one was a disaster with bases closing and no upgrades in sight with just all around issues. 2nd was amazing and I would have never left if it wasn't for a family emergency that required me to be in ORD. Real nice slinging insults though then again what's new that's SOP around these forums.

Their fleet is going from 20 to 80 give or take a few planes... SKW just can't match that type of movement unless half the airline moves on. Some people prefer the stability of a company others prefer taking a risk. For a new guy starting out especially at their first I don't see a reason why he shouldn't go there. As for why I'm not leaving?... I'm content with where I'm at in life and SKW, but for new people I can't see anything wrong with going to TSA. The guy asked for opinions and I gave him mine.

If he is a 1500 hour cfi, he can't upgrade for about three years at any airline anyway. You know different the landscape will be in three years! Chasing the upgrade could back fire big time.

What Regional?
 

Why can't he upgrade less than three years? It doesn't take that long to get 1000 hours.

Wasn't trying to insult you. I just find it ironic that while you were at silver you were telling guys to come on over. Now that you're at Skywest, you're telling people to go elsewhere.

There's good and bad times to join certain regionals... Right now it's good at pretty much all of them some better than others. I'm not saying don't come to SkyWest cause hey that's someone else below me, but there's also some places than can be better for others depending on where they're at in life.

Good to know!! Sorry for the unintentional smear!

Its all good dude. I don't think anyone can say anything to actually offend me or even get me mad. Its just the internet ya know. :)

I guess this is my thought on it too. Sure TSA has lots of movement. If you need 700 pilots due to expansion, then only 350 are going to get in on the upgrades due to the expansion (purely arbitrary numbers). So what happens after pilot number 350 (or so...) gets in? The big question is can the company staff under you once you're in.

I used to proclaim how great SkyWest was at that...though of late I'm not so sure:D

Where is this logic coming from? CFI, Military, previous 135 - shouldn't matter....once you log 1000 hours SIC 121 you are eligible to upgrade.....

Clearly "skypimp" was destined to work here...

Delta Airlines Ebonics Commercial - YouTube

Per the regs, yes. Per company requirements, not necessarily.

Do people right at 1,000 hours 121 time with no prior jet time actually feel comfortable upgrading? I went from CFI straight to the regionals and there's no way I would have upgraded at 1,000 hours. That seems a bit dangerous.

Instead of instructing for the whole time, many people do the part 135 thing first, flying turboprops around single pilot IFR. Others get FO jobs in a Leer, and then work up to Captain before going to the regionals. Those people are probable ready to upgrade. CFI only's, probably not.

Personally, I think working as a CFI past 500 or so hours provides very little "experience".

I just LOL'd.

And how much of your 50 seat flying expires in the next 5 years?

Agreed. Prepare for the 15,000 hour rule.

I think it just depends on the pilot... Some people feel ready and are, others don't feel ready and bypass upgrade for a bit (also gives the benefit of not sitting on reserve if you were to defer for a few months), and some go to upgrade and aren't ready and don't become Captains. If you haven't figured out enough of what the hell is going on in 1,000 hours (you've certainly seen all 4 seasons at this point) then just keep sitting in the right seat until you do.

The lear was great experience. Especially the 25. Straight pipe rocket!!!!!! Pewwww peewwww

Yeah, because one winter in the right seat (potentially on reserve) is enough....

There are people being hired right now with zero actual. I have a friend who is a CKA at CPZ. IOE FO was going bananas taking pictures and in awe since they were "between layers". I'm sure this clown is totally capable of determining he's ready for the left seat after a year of West Coast flying. ELOHEL.

If anything new CAs with little experience are more cautious.

Well then, grab a wet commercial guy and toss him in the left seat because he'll be more cautious them 'em all.

Even your doctor that opearated on your ingrown nail had to operate on someone for the first time right?

At some point you need to let them loose.

Can we stop with the Doctor comparisons please? We are not even in the same neighborhood.

more like the hooker neighborhood.

Um... do you do "quick upgrade" sweetie?

Sure bigboy, but it's gonna cost ya! ALOT !!

You can have anything you want , I I Really, Really need an "upgrade "

Until you hook up with a burner. Don't get burned by the quick upgrade.

Or you could date a fat chick for like 4 years trying to get some of that left seat and get dumped.

loooolllllllll

I have a question that seems to go along with this conversation.

I have just finished Indoc and systems at Skywest and have over a month off until sim in Atlanta. I am from the NW and just received a call for an interview at Horizon, I would love to stay in the NW if possible but have heard that Horizon would be "career suicide". Just looking for some insight from anyone currently working for either. Thanks

Speak for yourself... There are a lot of very stupid doctors out there as well as pilots.. Thank you for helping me prove this point.

hahahahaha. This guy actually thinks he's on the same level as a doctor. Whoo boy.

I'm not sure what career suicide means. Take what works for you. With all the aircraft coming off contract at SkyWest over the next 2 years, the EMB 120 going away, an inability to gain any new RFPs and a top heavy, expensive pilot workgroup making it difficult to compete with the leaner and more agile regionals, staying at SkyWest may well be the worse of the two choices for a new guy. If you get hired at Horizon and it gets you closer to home, go.

Speak for yourself plebe..

I'm not saying were the same as doctors. I don't care if they call me a bus driver either as long as I make my 6 figures. The point is, like being a doctor, a highly technical field where experience matters, people have to start somewhere. Worst come to worst you might actually ask for an input of the FO next to you who's taking selfies so that you actually make a good decision.

Pilots and doctors are exactly the same.

Any idea what percentage of regional airline pilots do not have a college degree?

Surely it is over 25%.

I'd say it's well over 50%.

Thanks, I just got the "career suicide" from reading through the forums about Horizon. I'm really leaning towards Horizon because I THINK the QOL will be better but I'd hate to make a decision that would cost me two or three years in the long run. With Skywest I would be based in MSP and commuting to PSC.

"Career Suicide" if you read all of these threads you will see someone spouting off about "Career Suicide" in each and everyone of them. I have flown heavy int'l and corporate, and am now coming off of a 6 year "break" and have to start at the bottom again. Go wherever fits your needs the best. Make the most of it and then move on. If you listen to all of the whiny pilots on here you will want to kill yourself.