Now what happens if for example someone wanted BOS, but the only base available at the time is something like LAX or DFW? You just get up and say 'thanks but no thanks'? Yea I know, beggars can't be choosers, but I'm just curious what you guys would do in that situation and if that would leave a black mark anywhere?

If they are hiring that many people that fast, it seems like you could bid BOS and get it fairly quickly. Seems like the commute might be worth it for a little while.

If you tell Eagle no then chances are they will just want you more :D.

But seriously, if enough people start saying "thanks but no thanks" maybe they'll start giving financial incentives to go to certain bases.

A few questions to help shed some light on the future upgrade time.

1. How many AA flow throughs are there at Eagle?

2. I am guessing Eagle did not hire after 9/11. When did they resume hiring?

3. Does anyone have hiring numbers from 1999 through 2006. That could be VERY helpful.


I know Eagle has an older pilot group, and several career Eagle pilots. It is very unfortunate that they want to change age 60 as this will only compound the upgrade problem at Eagle.

According to APC, Eagle has 3,200 pilots. It's safe to assume to 1/2 are capts and 1/2 are FO's (That's about 1600 FO's). If they hire 700 pilots this year, and you are in the first few groups of new hires, you should be a somewhat senior FO after only one year.
Now I know that is because so many FO's are jumping ship just for the upgrade, but all that needs to happen is :
1. Flow throughs back to AA
2. A few age 60 retirements
3. A few captains leaving for FedEX, UPS, Continental, Southwest, Delta, United, etc...

And as soon as most junior captain gets to September 2001, it should almost instantly jump to about a 4 year upgrade. Not the best, but not this terrible forever wait that has been in the last several years.

I think what Eagle needs to do is up their FO pay, especially year 3,4,5... At most regionals, people can put up with 1st and 2nd year FO pay because they know by year 3/4 they are making Regional captain pay, and that is a liveable wage. Eagle needs to raise their year 3, 4, 5, 6 FO pay to a somewhat liveable wage if they are to have any hope of recruiting pilots.

I agree. Regionals are curently shooting themselves in the foot with low wages. They actually encourage employees to flee based upon salary. Times have changed. Many would like to make a career out of a regional/national but cannot. That is why you are seeing age 65, lower minimums, select a base, select equipment, etc . . . .

I have posted some of the issues facing airlines in another post. I will repost under it's own title so others don't have to search. It's interesting to say the least.

I got the same email from airapps this weekend. I also get the "your name was given to us but a company employee and want you to apply!" at least once or twice a week. Just had one of my students go threw training in DFW and he said that one of the last classes Eagle had was pretty empty and very few people showed up. The pressure is on for them and it will be interesting to see what else Eagle comes up with to sweeten the pot for newhires.

I don't recall SKW ever going below their published mins of 1000/100. Correct me if I'm wrong.

ATP has a deal with them for 850.

I believe that when you go for your interview you can tell them what base you want and then you will be able to bypass classdates for a certain period of time until your base/equip is available. We are so short on all bases and equip, so it shouldnt be hard to get what you want (except maybe LAX EMJ FO).

No, they don't.
ATP grads can INTERVIEW with SkyWest at 850TT.
You will NOT sit in class with less than 1000.