What Regional?
 

So I know this a load question but I was hoping to get some insight on what Regional airline to lean towards. I currently have interviews for Compass, Trans State, Skywest , and Envoy. Hoping to stay in the Midwest.

Compass: Great company but junior base is LA so I would have to commute.
Trans State- don't know much about
Skywest: great company long upgrade times
Envoy- maybe on the up turn with new contract?

I was hoping to see what you guys thought would be the best bet if I wanted to stay in the Midwest.

Thanks

Just like the thousand threads before you. Pick the one you can live in base and have a good qol.

What city do you want to live in, and which regional has a domicile there?

That is a good starting point if you don't want to commute. If you have to commute, which cities (and airlines) can you commute to easily?

After that, it is all about best QoL, and best chance of advancement (upgrade and movement).

compass youll have a shot at getting msp after not long

I'm from the Chicago area so I could get based with TRans state envoy or Skywest out of Chicago.

I'd skip Envoy. I don't see good things there.

TSA brags a quick upgrade (otherwise is not a super great company). SkyWest's upgrade is long and will probably come down.

You pick!

Great Lakes.

Envoy is not getting better even with the concessionary deal. Do what you think is best but keep in mind guys like me wasted years of their career going to a "good contract" regional.

Hey, TSA is a pretty happy place now. We have new management and Kieth Stamper from Com Air has this place VERY pilot friendly. Plus, we have a pretty good contract.

Our upgrade is for real and ORD base for this guy would be a deal maker.

As a SKW ORD FO I'd say TSA. Upgrade will be much faster get in get out that's the name of the regional game.

LMAO!!:D
Do they still exist?

We don't brag about quick upgrade. We brag about our above average contract (teehee)

If Mr. skypimp wants to be based in ORD Trans States would probably be a good choice. Lots of movement so he'll enjoy being a senior FO while building time towards upgrade minimums.

Doubt it. I'm a senior fo in Dulles and I keep getting dropped for new guys doing ioe :-P

ORD...SkyWest then Trans States.

Says the guy that doesn't work here anymore.

How about we wait a couple of months before we see what will happen here. The deal was signed 1 month ago, envoy usually take longer to get good people on the company.

Upgrade comparison? Just saying.

It's not like I don't have friends there anymore. Low time and inefficient trips, still no new hires, planes still going to other regionals, average to below average contract, should I go on?

I understand your career at Envoy depends on new hires jumping on that sinking ship but come on, have a conscience.

leaving SKYW Cruz??

Just do your research.. SkyWest has a long track of stability., but it may be 4+ years to upgrade for a newhire. Eagle is in shambles right now, Commpas, the boat just sailed. You may be to late for quick upgrade, TSA is a huge gamble... Could be good or bad 5 years from now.. Ive flown for 2 of these 4.. All i would say is stay a way from Eagle right now.. If ORD is your goal. SkyWest is your long term bet for that..

Not unless a major calls... for a new hire into this industry though I'd suggest TSA for the faster upgrade and earnings potential over SKW. I can't imagine QOL being so much better between SKW and TSA that I'd pass up the opportunity to upgrade sooner.

If said person has the FLT time to upgrade or be a CQFO.. If they don't. Think SkyWest would be better..

Upgrade at TSA is much quicker as is seniority movement. Plus, contracts are nearly compatible.

Get a gun... Shoot yourself in the foot and go on disability.
Or you could read the hundreds of other threads on the same crap you just posted.

Nah Im good

Thoughts on PSA? Seems like a decent company.

Endeavor Air
 

We are extremely pleased to announce that, based on pilot feedback and consistent with the strategic goals of the MEC, we have reached a tentative agreement with the company to modify the structure of our retention payments. The highlights include:

· Shortened retention periods (three 4-month retention periods each year instead of annual or semi-annual periods) with the first payment occurring after the retention period ending April 30, 2015.
· Increased total annual retention payments of $20,000 for each pilot (up from $15,000), divided into three even installments.
· Increased program duration of 4 years (up from 2 years).

All other aspects of the retention provisions will remain the same, i.e. pro-ration and the ability to direct the funds into your 401(k) account. The new Letter of Agreement also clarifies that the payouts will be made no later than the 23rd of the month following the end of each of the 4-month retention periods.

The proposed increases extend the retention program to a point at which all current pilots are projected to have upgraded and interviewed with Delta. Providing more money, sooner, and for a longer period of time, these improvements will make staying at Endeavor a more attractive and viable option for our current pilots. Additionally, these retention payments offer potential new hires a level of total annual compensation no other regional carrier can in this competitive job market. Most importantly, the fact that the payments include all of our pilots and future pilots on the same terms is another significant step in the right direction to build a bright future for our company.

We would like to thank CEO Ryan Gumm and his leadership team for advocating these pilot retention initiatives. Their continuing commitment to our collaborative working relationship benefits us all and establishes Endeavor Air as an industry leader.

We anticipate that the MEC will vote on this Letter of Agreement when they convene in Minneapolis next week. We encourage you to provide your representatives with feedback in advance of the meeting.

Endeavor wasn't on the op original list. So shoo ;)

Not having to work for Uncle Hulas? Just sayin.

PSA is possibly getting a ORD with all the 700 flying that goes in/out of there.

Having to pay an extra 20k a year in "retention bonus" just to prevent people from leaving... really? That alone is a big sign telling me to stay away!

So Compass is a bad place too then? Funny how people think that Hulas actually does anything other than sit in Jupiter and collect money.

TSA has changed A LOT.

What Regional?
 

Skywest, ORD base, decent contract and lots of large RJs on order so upgrade time is bound to drop.

It seems as if you've been getting some good advice and I have nothing to add except to say that you are very wise for not considering Republic.

I'm kind of at the same point in my career. I'm debating if I should go to Compass or Skywest. I want to be west coast based so both are attractive, but I still wouldn't be able to live in base for both of them. I think I might have a little better QOL with Skywest but Compass has a quick upgrade which makes it very attractive as well

Any thoughts between those two companies?

Been at SkyWest many years, go to compass.
This place has changed a lot for the worse, and it keeps going that direction.

TSA has a DEN base opening in like 2 months. We have pretty quick upgrade as we are going from 29 planes to 81 in 2 years. Plus, the MRJ is on the way. Real good contract too.

As another ORD FO I'm curious as to why you'd say avoid SKW? I'm moving up 5-10% per month in domicile right now. New hires are hardly seeing any time on reserve. Things are moving along pretty well despite the upgrade time. It's not exactly a bad place to be by any means especially for someone looking for an ORD base.

Cuz upgradezzzzz!!!

He's going to move up a lot faster over there than here. The pay is most likely comparable to what we make and I believe they're in contract negotiations right now or soon to be. I can't see why you wouldn't pick TSA out of all of them if you want to be ORD based.