I think having to commute is my big hangup with Comair or Eagle. Both companies don't seem too bad. Every company has its issues, but it seems like most of the people that have responded suggest trying to live at your domicile. I am definitely going to live in Atlanta so ASA seems like the best choice.

When on reserve at ASA and Eagle, do they have hard days off or are they floating days off?

How easy is it to pick up open time and to manipulate your sked at ASA and Eagle?

I ask because it seems that reserve at Xjet isn't bad at all. It seems they have hard days off and picking up open time is not that hard. I'll be a commuter for any of these companies and so hard days off will be a huge plus.

not to mention my paycheck was 1650 take home (RESERVE)

So SAAB, xjet does have hard days off on reserve? What's your sked been like in terms of consecutive and total days off? I have my interview in early Mar.

Pros and Cons
 

I think that there are some important factors to take into consideration:

1: Stability, Airline industry is very cyclical you can be top of the world to day and down and out tomorrow. American Eagle looks very stable they are wholly owned by AMR and don't have to worry about loosing contracts being undercut etc... Comair great airline but delta looks to be in trouble maybe they will emerge from bankcruptcy maybe they wont. ASA again another very good company but like comair they dont own there routes!!

2: Pay, Kid yourself if you want but you don't want to be living at home with your parents all your life so just because these companies have shiny jets doesn't mean you should go fly them for peanuts. (The rest of the pilot group will respect you if you hold out for a job with good pay)

3: Quality of Life, Minimum days off is the company unionised??? I don't care what people think of Unions Airline Pilots need them! Can you live at your base?? Is there any easy commute. Upgrade time!!!!!!!!! Very important unless you wnat to fly rjs for the rest of your life!!!

go with the quickest upgrade, and dont stay at a regional for more than a few years. They are just places to pay your dues before you go onto your final airline.

I would go to skywest. They don't even have reserve anymore.

Here is the resignation letter my girlfriend would have liked to have turned in when she left Comair. I had to chuckle at the letter but she was pretty miserable there.

RE: Resignation

Dear Mr. Joe Blow Chief Pilot:

Please consider this letter my formal resignation from your sh*tty company. My position as First Officer at Comair has by far been one of the worst jobs in my life. I do not see how you think you run a professional airline. You have no respect for your employees; therefore, I have no respect for you. You have shown me no professional courtesy since I have been here so I will show you none as well. My resignation will be effective immediately. I will not give you two weeks notice because you do not deserve it. I hope it causes you great problems with your scheduling. I do hereby resign my seniority, along with all benefits and privileges therefore provided. Oh, that’s right, there are NO benefits to working for your company. So, simply stated, you can literally take this job and shove it!

(Up) Yours Truly,

Xxxxx X. Xxxxx

...........

Ok, I'll try to tackle this eternal question: "which one is better, Airline A or Airline B".

First you need to examine your situation:

Are you young, single, not attached in any way and looking to get hired with a major someday? If this is the case, the choice is easy. You find out where the first upgrade would be, try to go there (commute if necessary), and fly as much as you can. Money be damned. Simple. Don't get "comfortable." Thats the worst word in the dictionary to an aspiring pilot falling under this paragraph.

Are you married, have kids, and/or a compelling reason to be in a particular area of the country? That one is MUCH harder to address. Any financial planner will tell you the single biggest thing you can do to protect your financial future is NOT GET DIVORCED! No small accomplishment in this industry. If this is your situation you need to find a place that can give you the right mix of time at work and at home, tending to the family. Also, money, security, and benefits DO matter in this situation as you are trying to support your family. Look at location, money, benefits, and security and make your decision based on these factors. It will take you much longer to make it to a Major (if that's your goal) but your family life will more than make up for it.