tfranks9214

Hey everyone, sorry for the newbie question.

My wife and I are looking to relocate after military life is over in Pittsburgh. I was just curious how senior PIT is / how long would it take to bid into KPIT. Any help or insight would be appreciated!

11Alpha

Have you looked into Allegiant? They have a PIT base and you would be home every night with relatively short upgrade times. Might want to look into it instead of signing republic’s $100k contract

FlyinCat

I would research them carefully- have heard major negatives about the training dept especially with pilots brand new to 121. There’s also the issue of how do you handle day trips if you do not get your base of choice.

ChronicFatigue

I just looked at the last few bid awards and it seems like PIT FO was available for the last three bids to the most junior person but I know there was a decent bit of people bidding out of there so I don't know how long that will continue.

11Alpha

Not everyone gets their base of choice at republic at first either, so I would assume you make it work until you get what you want. I know a few pilots at Allegiant based in PIT who are quite happy. So unless you are property what you “heard” about their training really doesn’t matter. Maybe go on the Allegiant forum and ask around. Regardless, I’d rather be on a seniority list of an airline that sells their own tickets than be waiting at a regional holding out for an instructor position which already has quite a few instructors and check airmen flying the line and waiting to get back in the sim. 🤷🏼‍♂️

FlyinCat

Understood, but commuting to day trips is a completely different issue from commuting to a regional where you can stack trips of 4-5 days at a time. Also, how stable is a small ULCC like Allegiant compared to a huge regional like Republic? I'm not trying to throw shade anywhere, just offer more information to consider when making choices.

11Alpha

Cat I’m not trying to attack you or pretend that I know more, however my significant other has been at rah for over 16 years and your optimism is exceptional compared to what I hear and see. Out of PIT you can expect mostly one leg to either EWR, LGA, DCA, BOS or JFK and then the beat down truly begins. It’s usually a 4 leg day of hell through the northeast with weather and ATC delays followed by crew and tail swaps trying to keep the operation running with a bandage. Also, at 15 years seniority you will still be rather junior in PIT with a 1983 hire and former chief pilot and late 90’s hires holding the top 20% and best trips. That means very few weekends and holidays off, ask me how I know! Many of the PIT pilots are instructors and check airman and are now flying the line because RAH has hired retired pilots and those who cannot hold medicals to teach in the Sim. That gravy train for them is now over it seems and they are holding onto false hope that they will someday get back in the sim and enjoy the good ole days of times past. As for republic being a “mega regional” that too is debatable. This time last year what did they have on the seniority list, 2500? Now your company has less than 1900 and is hemorrhaging pilots to ALL the majors including pilots wanting to stay in PIT and go to Alligiant. The training contract isn’t helping the flow of new hires as nobody wants to be tied to a $100k bond. Once again I suggest going on the Allegiant forum and asking questions, they are a major airline and they will get a contract soon that is more in line with what most majors are getting. Doing out and backs and home every night sounds way better that being stuck and being junior at republic for a career. Just my 2 cents!