The Future of Regionals
 

Hello,
I am currently a college student and I have accepted my conditional job offer with ExpressJet as part of their Pilot Pathway Program (basically get the job while in college barring you don't fail out or snort cocaine before the drug testing). However, even though ExpressJet is a good choice for myself QOL wise (I will be moving home to New Jersey after college so I won't have to commute) I fear their future. They are currently one of the largest regionals but that is rapidly changing with them parking the ERJ's by the end of 2017. I guess what I am asking is if going to ExpressJet will be the right choice. I know that no regional is "stable" but one that is parking planes obviously doesn't seem like a smart choice. Is there any chance of them getting new planes or United stopping parking the ERJ retirements? Thanks for any help and I know that asking this will be pointless but don't make this a ****ing contest over who has a better regional.

To be honest, I don't see expressjet being a good choice. I think with the most recent announcement of more united 175, it shows United is ready to move away from the 50 sweaters. On top of that expressjet just can't find a way to be profitable. If I was in your shoes, I'd look at Envoy, PSA, or Piedmont, and choose between the 3 on which bases and other things while give you the best QOL possible. Not cause of flow or whatever, I just think American is starting to put more into these 3 and therefore they will be standing for a while when everyone else begins to break down. I'd toss some west regionals in but you seem set on staying east.

I would be willing to do west coast but would probably be commuting so the farthest would probably be Minneapolis or a very commutable airport with a lot of flight options a day. I've heard the positives to both Envoy and Piedmont mainly with regards to their flow. While flow is good to have in the back pocket its also not going to be the selling point nor will be a quick upgrade catch. I had the fortune of working ground ops at an airport about a year back and talking to many pilots (all mainline) they said the quick upgrade catch isn't the way to go because 1) that can change tomorrow and 2) the mainlines won't hire you just because you have 1000 TPIC.

Exactly, that's why I was saying those 3 with no regard for flows.. West I'd say Skywest or compass if MSP is where your looking. I just see united starting to put all their eggs into Mesa and Skywest, and American bringing things in house.

Being in New Jersey, you're not presented with a lot of options for stable regionals. ExpressJet has their future in doubt, Republic is a mess, AWAC (at PHL) has their future in doubt.

If you're willing to consider a base on the other side of the Hudson, Endeavor is an option. Piedmont might be moving into PHL, which would be another possibility if it happened. Envoy has a pretty good commuter policy, which would be nice, but they're still trying to figure out how large of an airline they're going to be.

But ultimately, you're still in college, which means that by the time you get out everything might be completely different. So as long as you're not committed to XJT, you're in a good spot to sit and watch things develop knowing that you do have something in your back pocket.

I am a firm believer that TPIC is not as important as it used to be, but it still seperates you from the other 8000 career SIC's out there should the economy have another collapse, or another terrorist attack scares the public from flying. TPIC makes you hirable at the corporate level. If you can get it, then why not? And if you want to get hired at a major, start volunteering everywhere and have references providing proof. It's not pilots hiring pilots anymore, just moronic HR pukes who think being a good ambassador for the company is more important than TPIC

I didn't mean TPIC was not important because your right, making $30-40k stuck as an FO would be a lot worse than making CA pay. I'm just saying that its not the get 1000 TPIC and go to Delta or AA like people think. There's still thousands of regional CA's and LCC or corporate guys that will be ahead of you. Realistically its still going to take more that 1000 TPIC to move on.

I am 100% willing to go to the other side of the Hudson or down to Philly. I have however heard some mixed opinions from others about Endeavor. They are very enticing however with the $20k a year retention bonus. They seem to be stabilizing within the past year.

CommutAir is a good option if you want to be based in NJ. Yes the turboprop is not all that fancy but the crews are great, you will upgrade in a relatively fast manner (2 years) and you can get involved in the training department with relative ease. All of this will help you remain competitive when applying at a Major or LCC.

PM me if you have any further questions.

Hopefully you didn't sign anything with them. Specifically expressjet where they'll probably be shut down soon. You'll be able to get on with anyone as long as you meet mins.