Question about class dates
 

Hey everyone, quick question about class dates. I am under contract with my current employer until the 4th quarter this year. Currently I am sitting at around 1900 hours TT, 900 multi, 800 multi turbine pic and growing, proud Marine vet, Arizona State graduate and new father. I have some friends that are at Compass, Skywest, and Piedmont. I was going to talk with them prior to talking to a recruiter, and talk with recruiters from other regionals that I do not have any contacts with. How soon before someone could attend a class date is it recommended they interview? If they pass the interview and are offered a position, how far out do training departments schedule class dates? Just trying to gauge when it is too soon to start talking/applying when I'm still at my current position until late this year. I welcome any advice and comments. Thanks!

I am in the same exact situation. I've asked some of my buddies and they are telling me to wait until around 2.5 months to go on my contract.

My contract is up 4/21. I interviewed yesterday and am attending class 5/16 at PDT.

How much would you owe if you elected to terminate your contract early? ie what would it cost to buy yourself out of your contract.

Skywest says you can apply and interview within three months of being able to start class.

Thanks for the replies. It looks like so far I've heard 2.5-3 months out to interview. Just a hypothetical question, if I was to interview say 5 months out, does any regional schedule a class date that far out? I don't want to break the contract, in the unforeseen event of a major economic event and furlough I can always return and continue flying

Depends on your availability
 

I interviewed on 3/11 and have a class date of 4/4. They had a couple of months worth of classes on the schedule sheet I saw, but they wanted sooner rather than later.
This may vary depending on the carrier. But I can see them wanting to not lose anyone to another carrier that might have a better offer. Be up-front and honest about your availability and they will likely work with you if they want you.

My point in asking the question is that you could potentially try and get the regional airline to pay your training contract at your current employer in lieu of a signing bonus.

These signing bonus's at some companies are given outside of the union contract, the company arguing that they can give said bonus to a person because they are not an employee yet. In corporate America, companies do buy out non-compete agreements for employees who have them.

Has any regional ever bought out a contract?

Not that I know of, just thinking out of the box. Whether they give the bonus to you or someone else seems irrelevant.