Best regional to work for in Texas
 

I live in San Antonio and want to work for a regional that I can be based out of Houston or Dallas. I am planning to interview in the up-comming aerojobfair in Dallas in July and I am debating on wether applying for Skywest, Envoy or Mesa. I just want to work for a regional that will give me the best schedules and quickest opportunity to work at the majors. Any recommendations?

I've got nothing. I'm not sure what you seek exists.

Please do the industry a favor and avoid Mesa... Don't chase the quick upgrade!

PM sent.....

If I had to do it again, I'd go with Skywest. Ameriflight, martinaire and empire are also hiring in the metroplex if you're trying to avoid the regionals.

Go to Skywest. Being limited to FL280 will greatly reduce your radiation exposure.

Best regional to work for in Texas
 

Is Expressjet not even on the radar? We have IAH and DFW bases and both are easily attainable out of training depending which side you get (erj/crj).

Only a complete dumbass would go to XJT now

If you come to Envoy, you will have to commute on your day off. Envoy now automatically assigns the 0400hrs RAP to your first day of reserve. I believe the senior management is lying to us. Beware of Envoy.

what is wrong with Mesa?

A glance at their pay scales gives me a few ideas.

LOLLLLL

(filler)

Yea I second that on avoiding Express Jet. I have a buddy who has been at the DFW base for a year and a half. And after only been on the line at Mesa for 4 months I already have more jet time than he does.

Look into Berry Aviation in San Marcos. Get some PIC in a 120 and make 85k while you do it. M-F, on-demand freight, extra pay if you work a weekend.

If regionals are really what you want, realize they all suck. You decide what flavor of suck is the best for you and go with it. Talk to pilots who work for those airlines by PM. Don't completely trust anyone, but try to build a decent picture from multiple sources.

Ask about work rules, take-home pay, monthly hours flown versus time away from base, insurance benefits/cost, pilot culture, company culture, upgrade time, flight benefits, growth/shrinkage of the fleet, training program, where to live in the city you prefer, what commuting is like (just in case you don't get your ideal base for a long time)... and ask those pilots why they picked their airline back when they picked it, ask them if they can recommend it to you honestly, ask them if they like going to work, ask them what's ahead in the next few months, then ask whats ahead in the next few years.

Or not, idk, I'm just an innernet comment lol

A few new hires at Skywest have left the likes of Mesa, Expressjet, and Envoy. Take it for what it's worth.

SkyWest or Envoy. $$$$ is a big factor.

Why would anyone leave Skywest for envoy??

I think he's saying they've left places like envoy, Mesa, etc for Skw

Ah, yes. You're right. Too early!! To the OP, I can't really think of anything positive to say about any of them other than Skywest.

Mesa is the low of the industry. Many have left XJT, Envoy etc to chase upgrade at Mesa. Many are regretting that decision. Not only do they have the lowest pay rates but their work rules are terrible, health insurance VERY expensive plus the upgrade times will slow as they accept their last deliveries of new planes.

Don't take a job just because upgrade time looks quick. Look at the pilot contracts and easiest commute. XJT, Skywest and Envoy should be the top choices for a Texas base. Best of luck in your decision!

Colgan air. We have bases in Houston and the lovely vacation destination of Tyler, TX. Home of that god awful Johnny football.

Touché....

Are you planning on moving to DFW or IAH? Or do you have to stay in San Antonio? With an IAH base you can at drive to work in 3.5 to 4 hours. Driving for 5 hours to DFW would do you in and the SAT-DFW flying commute is not pretty either. Lots of guys do the AUS/SAT to IAH drive as they don't even bother with trying to catch a flight.


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You are out of touch with reality. 2/3 of the airlines you just mentioned are dead end jobs for a new hire.

I can't speak for SKW, Envoy, or XJT...but if you are considering Mesa here is a little of the good, the bad, and the ugly.The Good: No matter what airframe you are assigned in training, you will be coming to Texas. Dallas is going to be our largest base, and on the American side of things you will probably hold a line in about 3-4 months out of training. Upgrades are still progressing and a rapid pace. If you come here without any 121 experience, you will most likely eligible for upgrade by the time you have the 1000 hours required. The Bad: We all know about Mesa and low pay and work rules etc... First year pay is brutal if you are trying to support a family. Our health care options are laughable. We are pretty understaffed with CA's and FA's. To the point flights get cancelled because we don't have the crews. The Ugly: Mesa is taking a pretty big gamble putting a lot of its eggs into the basket of DFW. To say there have been growing pains is an understatement. Maintenance has been pretty unreliable in DFW. We have no hangar, or parts surplus there, so lots of planes have multiple MEL's that aren't cleared until the A/C can RON at one of our maintenance bases. This has impacted our performance a great deal, and American is not too happy about it. We need to get that under control or AAG will eventually tell us "enough". Everyone's experience varies, Mesa works for me at the moment, and its helping me get to where I ultimately want to go. Its a stepping stone. I hope this helps. Best of luck in your career, and your decision on choosing the right airline for you.

I'm not sure what rock you live under, but this is probably the worst advice I have read in a long, long time on here.

The above is an accurate description, and I will only add that the Envoy ground crews at DFW are a major part of the problem.

Mesa's on time performance, or lack thereof, is mostly due to their mx problems and lack of crews. I will agree that Envoy's apathetic, lazy, and uneducated gate and ramp agents certainly contribute to delayed flights.

Mesa should be able to fix the mx headache by finding a way to get a mx base at the hub with a parts store. I can't understand how they expect to operate without it. The crew situation should improve over time as well.
Sadly, envoy airport services at DFW will continue to suck. They have always been lousy. There are a few diamonds in the rough there, but not many. The good ones end up moving on to better things.

also, what's with the RVSM comments with Skywest ? Do they seriously not go above FL290 ? why?

Please explain how this is bad advice?

PiperPower explained why it's bad advice two posts before.

I have looked into Barry Aviation and they seem to have a good operations going.

I am planning to stay in San Antonio. Looks like I will be applying for Mesa or Skywest out of IAH.

There's a thread about it. Due to some low speed events, they can not take a 200 above FL280

Just a thought - we have quite a few Texas commuters here at Compass and they don't say its bad. Probably not as desirable as an IAH base, but something to consider.

Actually he's from Kerrville, TX

I think your best bet is an IAH domicile. And just FYI, take everything you read on here with a grain of salt. There are tid bits of helpful info but there are also a lot of idiots posting on here. And I wouldn't put much weight into a user's comments unless they actually work at said regional. I work at Mesa and I'd be glad to help out via PM with any questions about my company, but I can't speak for the other companies because I don't work for them and am therefore not a qualified source of information. But I am a fellow Texan and I'll shoot you straight about Mesa.

Depending on a few circumstances beyond my control, I'd like to upgrade into the 175 (IAH base) and move back to the AUS/SAT area. I don't know anything about the commute but I figure worst case scenario I could drive if the jumpseat is taken. Anyway, best of luck with whatever you decide.

I really appreciate the offer. I think Mesa might be the way to go for me. I guess that my biggest question right now is on how can I best prepare for the interview.

Show up. That's mostly what it takes anymore.