I think if anyone does some research into the history of flow agreements and what they yielded to the pilots that went to them, you'll find that they're not the great deal that some make them out to be. Yes, flow agreements are contracts that both sides theoretically have to hold up, but history has shown us that these agreements can be changed, ended, delayed, modified, you name it, by all kinds of different legal maneuvering by the company with the most attorneys. Take a look at the amount of time that pilots spent at regionals before they flowed, then ask yourself if in the current hiring environment such an agreement makes sense.

The main attraction of a flow agreement seems to just be that you don't have to go interview for a major job. The main complaint seems to be that major airline interviews are hard to get and a lot of effort to prepare for. It is amazing that people are willing to make career decisions based on this, but reading the threads here are more than ample evidence that some folks think this way.

One thing to consider is that a regional pilot who joins an AA regional with a flow is bound to flowing in seniority order at American. In other words, if that regional pilot has, or goes out and builds himself, a resume that is awesome, they won't get an interview call from AA until it is time to flow. Delta and United and UPS might give that guy interviews right away, but AA won't touch him until his flow number comes up in seniority order ( and who knows how many years down the road that might be).

So, in some ways, depending on who you are, flying for an AA-wholly-owned can actually be more limiting than it is helpful.

I don't have a dog in the fight either way, but pilots should look at all the other factors that go into getting an interview and job at a major, and decide if the time spent waiting for a flow (that may or may not actually materialize) is worth it. For some, it might be. YMMV.

The ad is all over APC and claims "$59,500 first year compensation" then links you to this

http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/p...0&mb=2&clkt=24

No other company is being this dishonest claiming per diem (WHICH IS NOT COMPENSATION!!), medical, dental, and 401k match in their pay figures. I seriously think they are going to include flight benefits next.

Shows you what kind of a place Republic is...

I agree with a lot of what you're saying but i have a different perspective on the flow. It's simply insurance. If you really come to an AA wholly owned thinking you're gonna skyrocket to a major you're sadly mistaken. Understanding that the day you flow is very dynamic and could be 5 years or 15 is key. For me, I enjoy the peace of mind of knowing if I choke on the big day, I still have a legacy in my back pocket. If UAL, DAL, FDX call, i just struck the lotto! And if they never call, its not all that bad because with patience I'll get out eventually. For someone impatient and eager to get out of a regional and go to any major ASAP i would not recommend an AA WO.

I'd also wager any regional with a flow/interview program (AA WOs, 9E, C5, Xjet) has a vested interested from their major airline partner and will see some relative stability as the regional industry as a whole contracts. Just my guess, but my crystal ball has been MEL'd for a long time now :D

Sure, flow may help, but (a.) it's not guaranteed, and (b.) if you are less employable for any reason, flow won't trump that, Wholly-owned or separate-company-with-flow.

If I were the VP / Flow at MajorAir, and I used that to fill my slots, leaving MyRegional unable to staff their flights and deliver customers to the MajorAir hub, there'd be a fight in the CEO's office about the problem.

Plus, why would I take a Flow-Dude with problems over somebody from No-FlowExpress with better credentials. If the flow process didn't flush Flow-Dude out, then training probably would. (Yes, there are exceptions, but they are few. Think Continental 3407 - would you take their CA?).

Explain less employable. Are you referring to checkride failures, discipline issues, etc? I believe that at PSA, if you have a disciplinary action in your file, it will preclude you from flowing for a certain amount of time. But I have to double check that.

Flow is golden, especially if you do not interview well. You WILL be stuck at your regional for a while. 1000 121 TPIC, nothing changes, you're still not competitive. Its all about connections, people skills, looking good, and no failed check rides. No one gives a rats ass that you can fly.