Another Newbe, looking for free advice
 

I totally know you get what you pay for but here goes.

Was hired before, had a 9/20 class date, 9/11 happened, was told DO NOT SHOW UP AT CLASS, haha

So did some other stuff, added a few more degrees, then hated everything and got back into flying in 2007. Most recently business owner and flying low level aerial inspections as a pilot (partnership I own 50% of the company) but due to not being paid by more than one company I sub contract for, and most recently eating 40k on some of my flying, I am sick of it and really always wanted to do the airline thing so figured why not. I will still receive a nice check from my company, my wife does well, she and I are almost debt free (some on the house) and money is comfortable, all cars/trucks/toys paid for ect. DFW will be home for forseeable future.

So, ATP, COMM ASEL, Inst, CFI, CFII, MEI CFIG A&P.
Degrees in engineering, finance, accounting, aviation science.

8000+ hours fixed wing, 1200 multi, under 100 jet, plus rotor stuff.

I updated my application and since I had targeted express jet, trans states, and a couple others back in 2001 I guess they got the updates and within minutes got emails and phone calls, it was kinda nuts. I took contact info and said I would contact them later this week.

So, I was hired with express jet way back in 2001, but it seems they are way over staffed, 2007 last hire date for upgrade? Lots of people sitting reserve for some time.

So, in short, well not short, I am looking for a few opinions on which companies I should look into and interview with. I only want jet operators, DFW would be nice but I do not care, can buy/rent something anywhere. Shorter upgrade would be better. I do not know of I will go major or stay regional, I have many friends at FedEx, AA, and Southwest so who knows, that is a choice for another day.

I look forward to your help.

Check out PDT!!! Ton's going on there.

Come to my airline because it's the best ever. I'm not saying this because I need to you come boost my seniority and push me closer to upgrade, or because I need more people at my airline to keep growth going. I'm saying this because obviously since I work there it's the best airline ever. No other airline compares to my airline. My airline my airline my airline.

Don't they mostly fly the turbo props. Fun, but I have a fair amount of King air time. I did not think they were even getting ERJs till middle of 2016. Always heard it is a solid compsny but not a great fit at this time for me.

Where do you live?

Haha. Thanks for the input. I figured I would get a lot of that kinda thing.

DFW. Arlington, to be more exact.

Compass and SkyWest are the short list I would recommend. Stable, good pay, not the fastest upgrade but not bad (2-4 years or less).

Ding ding ding..... We have a winner!

As much as I hate to tout Mesa right now, bc our current contract and new TA suck, DFW is our biggest operation and most junior base on both the CA and FO sides. Don't think its going anywhere anytime soon.

I would pick a regional you don't have to commute to, which is the only reason I chose Mesa. Commuting negates most if not all other marginal improvements one regional may have over another

Thanks, SkyWest called. Thank you.

I do believe you would be in the minority with that line of thinking. There are plenty of people who would rather commute to a descent operator than drive to work for Mesa. If this new TA passes you will see a giant exodus, stagnation, and even more suck.

I actually instructed for them in Farmington at their old academy partnership with SJCJ. To be honest I did not even look at them, I guess I still think of them all flying 1900's, but I will now, thanks. Yea, that might make my choice if all things are basically even otherwise, but it seems most think that while commuting sucks it can be worthwhile.

Cool! Good luck! What's there upgrade time???

Not familiar with what a descent operator is, but what regional is "decent?" enough to commute out of DFW to? Name whatever ones you want and I'll list several problems at each. SKW? CPZ? XJT? There are no good regionals. Every regional has its pros/cons and the difference in pay is not enough at any of them to make a commute worth it. I'd rather drive to a job flipping burgers than commute to a poverty wage job.

What about envoy? 3year upgrades / 6year to flow!


Good Luck!

Is this a joke?

Yessss. Chase the upgrade. Cuz that usually works out.

You can make over 50k 2nd year at Skywest. While not great, I'll take my chances with that over getting stuck on FO pay at Mesa. Besides, the op said he was willing to relocate, thus my suggestion.

How many regionals have you worked for? Do you know what it's like to work somewhere else?

Who's chasing??? There's tons of Regionals with less then 2 year upgrades.
First I'd chase the regional that had a base where I lived. Second I'd not chase a regional that didn't have a 4 year upgrade since the majors are hiring like gang busters over then next 5 years.


SkyWest is a great airline. I don't know his background but it sounds like he's older since he said he's a 9/11 pilot and I wouldn't waist my time with a long upgrade unless it was a regional that had a base near I live.:rolleyes:

Maybe it was just flame right???:eek:

This job is not worth commuting for so that leaves Envoy or Mesa, I would go with Envoy for the better future and benefits. Even a commute down to IAH is tough.....been there done that, get based in DFW or don't do this job at all is my opinion.

SkyWest or Compass.

However I don't think either of those are worth living in base for. I don't think he wants to be on reserve for a couple years (Envoy), or potentially stuck at some of the worst pay in the industry at a company that appears to be slowing in growth (Mesa). I would consider a 1 leg commute to a regional with either good pay or good pay and a quick upgrade. It isn't all about the upgrade, but that CA pay can sure make this industry more palatable. And not to mention out of the DFW area he should have a plethora of options for commuting making it a lot easier than living in an outstation somewhere.

Agreed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This guy knows what he's talking about.

Yep he does!!

Well thankfully no one said it. But just in case, go to Envoy, Skywest or Compass. Don't go to Republic.

Skywest would be my first recommendation. I think the more important consideration is where not to go. Don't go to an airline that disciplines its pilots with checkrides. You don't want your career to be ruined because the chief pilot doesn't like the fact that you actually read the contract.

From what I have seen when others have asked similar questions is that this site will give them a lot of good advise. Then the guy turns around and goes to the place everyone told him to avoid because the were "super friendly" to him and the upgrade was only going to be a few months. Later they check back in with a PM asking how to get out.

My brother has a lot of rentals and says when he gets a super nice tenant he knows the guy will take him for a fortune. They are being nice for a reason, something is being hidden by the super nice outward appearance. He's a real softy.

I would recommend Skywest way ahead of the others. There is one airline that everyone will tell you not to go to. I would heed that advise.

Skywest or Compass if you don't mind commuting. Envoy if you want to stay in Dallas. Reserve is currently long but could change in the future. The amount of new hires are picking up and they are starting to see movement. I personally wouldn't mind reserve life if I lived in base.

I'm not sure why more people aren't saying Trans States... Certainly no DFW base, but for quality of life, quality of training, and contract they seem like the best. Go interview and see, they were very forthcoming and honest (at least that was my experience).

Reserve ain't too bad if you live near the airport. Just don't expect to make any money breaking guarantee.

^^^^THIS CANNOT BE OVERSTATED^^^^

Avoid commuting at all costs. Sounds like you have plenty of time, you just need currency. Good luck in your career.

Mesa would certainly keep you in DFW. If you are hired today you are probably looking at a 1.5-2 year upgrade since you don't have any 121 time. With that said, have you looked at Spirit? With your time and experience it may be a better fit. They have a DFW base and will treat you better than any regional. If the music stops with the movement in this industry, where do you want to get stuck?

I am glad someone said this. I figured that with all the flights out of DFW going to most places should not be near as tough as some areas.

Upgrade matters ofcourse, but it is not like I expect a quick upgrade, seniority is what it is, but do not want to sit right seat 10 years in an RJ when an average is 24-48 months or so. I do not want to sit reserve forever either, though I understand that is the deal.

Yea, Trans States called and were nice, but they were almost like can you interview this week so we can get you in the Sept 1 class, and if you do that you get a bonus. It kinda felt like a car salesman saying 'what would it take to get you in this car today' haha. It kinda felt strange, I teailize I am a good applicant, but almost seemed desperate. Funny thing is they were actually on my list because of "expected" growth, but I just do not know.

I am asking to get the most info I can, I am sure there is no perfect choice, but I am old enought to know this and understand that EVERY PLACE has pros and cons, and I know nothing is forever. I know jus that took jobs at TWA and everyone told them how dumb they were, but now they are at American so one thing is the future is ever changing, and what is great now might turn ton rap next week. Thank you for the honest opinion.

Thanks, yea I guess sitting at home would not totally suck but really want to get in there and fly and learn.

See above. Kinda got a strange feeling when I talked to them. May I message you directly to pick your brain a little?

Money matters, but I can not work and be fine, so while I will not work for free, money is not a deal breaker. As has been stated, I am older (40 ish) and done well money wise, I have multiple streams of income that do not go away when I take an airline pilot job, so I have cushion that most do not. QOL, good people, quality training, career movement all are more important at this time.

Thank you. I am current 600 hours last 12 months, need 121/jet time, that is my only resume hole. Then need experience to see where I want to end up, and that can only be done from inside the industry.

I have not. I figured they wanted 121/135 time. Yea, e en if movement does not stop I Could see myself just finishing out as a regional/national Capt. Like I said with my other income it might not be fiscally worth it to go to a major even if the option is available in the future.


I will surely speak to SkyWest, compass, and spirit to see what they have to say.

Thank you all for your help. Anything from anyone is very welcome.

If you want to go to envoy wait and interview in late Nov, early Dec. The 175 is going to be based out of DFW.

Current FOs cannot bid Jet to Jet so the 175 will go JR early next year. That would mean short reserve, home based for you. Seems to me that you could be the Sr guy in class. The guys in the E-175 now should upgrade in the next 6 months.

Envoy flying benefits are same as AA employees.

Good luck with your decision, we all know how hard it is looking for a regional to work.

Ugh...let me think...not Mesa. That upgrade time will never hold when guys start bailing and staffing becomes an issue.

There is no best option. Offers will pour in from all the regionals trying to get you in with their sales pitch of potential flying that will have you in the left seat in 12 months, or how their contract is industry leading, or their new-hire bonus makes you a well-paid FO for a year, or their flow will get you the only guaranteed path to a legacy carrier.

When it comes down to it you have to balance all those things above to how it fits within your life and whether it's money, upgrade, flow, or commuting. You won't find all of those anywhere.

No one on here will suggest a company other than their own for purely selfish reasons.

New-hire bonuses can go, flow is not something to hang your hat on, upgrades can turn to furloughs before you get your first set of wings, and a non-commute can be a commute as soon as the major decides they want your company in another city.

^^^This times ten! Only you will know what is best for you and your personal situation. It seems things in this industry are turning a corner for the better, but the reality is that it still sucks and the RLA will always have us by the balls. Bottom line: There is no "best" regional out there, only the one that works for you to get yourself to whatever is next on the career path. As previously stated, the koolaid drinkers will try and sell you anything on here for purely selfish reasons.

Do your research and look up any old contacts you may have who are still at the regionals. First hand knowledge from people you know and trust is invaluable. Be careful what you read on this forum as it is 90% b*tching and 10% actual useful info. And that is on a good day.