ExpressJet/ASA would be ideal with a large ATL base that will not close down, on a whim. Commuting sucks and it isn't worth the effort in your situation. Good contract, but the upgrade time is a while. With your heavy military TPIC time, I wouldn't worry about upgrade. Delta really likes ASA guys/gals and I would guess you wouldn't even be there more than a year. Delta should give you a call if everything else checks out (GPA, volunteer, masters?).

 

You do not need to work for the regionals. Look in the Major area on this website. Look at sections Delta Hiring News, as well as the Who's Been Hired section. Apply to Delta now and keep updating resume.

 

I was hired at delta with 2100 total hours with 'other' time subtracted. ~250 was single piston civilian and just over 100 121 time...had just under 1k mil heavy pic.


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While you are waiting for the majors to call, apply to ExpressJet. Tell them you want the CRJ when they interview you. That will ensure you can get ATL as a base. All the mil guys in my class were gone to their major of choice (one went to the FAA) within the year. You will not upgrade fast, but will not be abused nearly as bad as you would at some of these other regionals. Training is top notch. They are straight forward in what they expect out of you and have a generous commuter clause that extends to drivers (I assume you would be driving from Warner Robbins area). The pay is what it is, but you have the opportunity to pick up trips from other crew members and ATL always has trips up for grabs. PM me if you have other questions.

 

Don't waste time at a regional.

 

ExpressJet is actually one of the ones I've been looking at since I live in Atlanta (I commute to Warner Robins and stay in billeting a couple nights a week) and even by the MARTA train station that goes directly to the Airport.

Just curious, the pay chart on here for them is $23 an hour for year one first officer which is $20,700 a year. Is there anyway to avoid that since I have a bit more experience or do I just need to suck it up? Truth be told, not having to move will save a lot of money even if my paycheck is low.

Thanks!

 

I had guys with thousands of jet/airline hours, one guy with 747 time, a c130 bro, and other experienced people in my class at Mesa. When you join the airlines you are nothing more than a seniority number. You start at the bottom and get paid accordingly. Experience/skill means nothing other than getting that seniority number. Upgrades to captain aren't based on anything other than seniority number, and maybe some captain recs.

That is the whole reason the airlines are the way they are. Any other profession, you can take your experience/previous pay with you. Not here. Which is how the airlines can screw pilots, because after a few years, your seniority is gold compared to starting at the bottom elsewhere for something slightly better.

Also, mainline can whipsaw pilot groups against each other in the regionals for this reason, or force a sham bankruptcy/closure to make one regional go away and transfer planes/pilots to other regionals, resetting their seniority/longevity. They just became $20k/year FOs instead of $100k/year captains. Labor costs reduced by millions overnight. Comair is a good example of that. Plenty of others as well.

There's more to it than that (unions, railway labor act, etc.), but there was a lot I didn't know coming from the mil to airlines about how it works. But that's the long answer of what your experience is worth to airline management. You are no better than a kid with restricted ATP mins of 1000 hours who flew a pattern in a 172 instructing the whole time. The only difference is your stay at the regionals will be quick, less than a year probably, and you won't get to enjoy food stamp wages for very long.

 

You have an ATP? If so, and you have recent flying logged , you won't have any problems getting hired at a major with a couple recs.

 

No I do not. I'm currently deployed until late January on a 6 month trip. When I get back I should have two weeks off for comp days. My plan is to try and knock out my ATP in that time or at least get started. Fortunately, I have time, and will be in the military for at least a year from today's date.

 

Have you considered one of the heavy charter or cargo airlines rather than regionals?

I know Omni Air Intl is running classes. Also Atlas or Southern or one of the many cargo operators out of MIA? Having heavy time might make you more valuable to them. They don't all pay great but it's better than year one at a regional? Also most of them are home based I think?