Republic, Eagle, or Skywest
 

I have a bit of a dilemma. I have 50 hours multi (enough to apply to Republic and Eagle), but I would like to apply to SkyWest which requires 100 multi. Should I apply to Republic and Eagle since I meet their mins, or bite the bullet and get my MEI and wait for multi students (which are few and far between) with the possibility of not getting to 100 hours by the time the new ATP rule takes effect in July 2014. If not, I have to jump through that hoop if I don't have my ATP by then. Any advice???

I understand what you are saying but it really doesn't become an issue until they offer you a job. Maybe you will be good/lucky enough to get picked up with the mins, but there are many finding out that for every "omg we need pilots", plenty are of qualified applicants that get sent packing.
Question is IMHO, is try to get on with those two (any?) and bail in a year for skyw, or get your MEI. another question, is availability of multi engine students and what is a reasonable time frame there.
Apply and get in the driver seat.
Not to mention it is good to get interview experience.

You could just... Go work for another regional now and move to Skywest later if your heart desires.

If you had an offer from all 3... Skywest.

If some combo of that. Skywest.

If not Skywest, Eagle until Skywest calls.

If Republic... Turn it down.

... 2nd that. And steer clear of a training contract if you can.

Is none of the above an option…

I believe Skywest is 50 hours multi now. I don't know if the website has been updated yet, but it couldn't hurt to send your stuff in.

Skywest is hard solid on 100 multi and this is from me talking to a recruiter 1 on 1 on October 25th. Hell their interns for that job shadow deal need 100multi.

First, Republic shouldn't even be on your radar as an option.

Second, where do you live? Between Skywest and Eagle which one would allow you to live in base?

Make your decision based on that. There really is no other significant difference between the two other than Eagle is in a transitional phase while Skywest's is fast approaching.

Otherwise both are good places to work for.

Strike Republic off your list and you're left with 2 options. My first choice would be SkyWest.

Do what you have to do to get your other 50 hrs multi.

There's no reason not to interview at Eagle and Republic. Even if you don't take the jobs you'll get the experience. I interviewed more than one place.

If you live in an Eagle domicile go there. If you live on the West coast your QOL would probably be better waiting to see what Skywest says when you get 100 ME.

Thanks for the advice all!

I live in PHX and really don't want to get an east coast base with Eagle or Republic being that I need to be within two hours while on reserve. SkyWest domiciles seem much more attractive to me being that a majority of their domiciles are in the west. That being said, looks like I'll be getting my MEI and praying that I get a slew of students in the near future.

I'm in PHX also, where ya teaching at? I highly recommend Skywest, it's been a very good experience! I wouldn't touch Republic with a 10 foot pole, and I personally didn't like my experience dealing with Eagle along with a few other horror stories. Bottom line is though you gotta do what's best for you! Good luck!

So before you go on deciding which regional to go with, get an offer first. Just because you apply to SKW, does not automatically translate into an interview nor a class date. I suggest you go to all the interviews and once you get offered class dates by the regionals, then you have a decision to make. If you are successful with all 3 that you are applying for then SKW > AE > RAH. Why not try Compass? They have LAX base...

I wouldn't wait on SkyWest if you could get hired somewhere else first. You could be passing up on a years worth of 121 turbine time while waiting. And frankly no additional amount of instructing in GA aircraft will help you down the road as much as the 121 time.

Getting domiciled with SkyWest in PHX won't happen without a couple years seniority either.

If I were in your shoes I'd focus on Compass and the LAX base.

With 7-10 year upgrade times at a lot of regionals I think people need to stop looking at the regionals as a way to build time and start looking at them as a semi-long term career. I waited a few extra months to get on with the regional where I thought I would be the happiest and I'm glad I did. Enduring 10 years at a horrible company just for a couple extra months of 121 turbine time is almost certainly not worth it in my book.

I'd take the first job offer from one of the three airlines you listed. Get some experience, and then move on to a job outside of regional airline BS.

Screw the regionals!!! There is no such thing as a "good regional"…:eek:.…

They all suck big stinking BALLS!!!!!!!:mad:

I don't think the next 5-10 years will look anything like the past 5-10. I'd get with an airline that has some growth (or in Compass's case known attrition) and try to get past the regionals as fast as possible.

Isn't that what people said in 2006? Nothing is certain and I'd prefer to be at a place that I wouldn't mind spending my career at if the industry crashes.

If you live in PHX, don't waste your time with Republic. Northeastern outstation bases with uncommutable trips do not mix well with a commute from PHX. Oh, and they are starting to use training centers in places like CVG, which doesn't help.

I would seriously consider Mesa over Republic. A few people have recently made the switch and like Mesa better, plus, if you can hold out for a 170 class, you'll be based in a place that is easily commutable from PHX.

...or if you just want to fly the mighty 175, tell people you fly a "real" airliner that has wing mounted engines, don't care about pay, live in your parents basement, and don't care about work rules because you are flying a big jet - screw the rest and work for republic!

I wish I was trolling, but I have been told EACH of those by former students or co-workers who now work at RAH.

Repeat after me.

We. Have. No. Leverage.

Republic's entire existence relies on those type of people submitting applications.

However the well is drying up, my friend. Word is out on Republic and the few qualified pilots are being more selective.

There are options outside 121. Look at Ameriflight. Great place to get a great experience. After flying single pilot IFR and getting turbine PIC time there, you will be good to go! Bases all over the country. Glad I did it before going to SkyWest...

https://www.ameriflight.com/PilotRequirements.asp

Oh ya, we had a republic Q400 driver in our jumpseat. Sounds like you want to avoid that place like the plague. Good guy though. Feel bad for him...

I agree, a 135 as a PIC is a better start as a Pilot than a 121 SIC.

You will get the knowledge to be a Captain and the experience of being the leader of the flight.

Yes that is correct, but per about three days ago they are now 50.

The multi mins for SkyWest FO is now 50? Or is 50 for the intern thing?

The pay at all regionals suck, some just suck less than other. I would suspect there are people at Republic for other reasons, like being able to live in base.

Exactly. I enjoyed thinking to myself that flying around a 37 seat ERJ135 I got paid more than a 10 year FO flying around an airplane that has twice as many seats and probably 3 times the weight.

2nd year Brasilia pay at OO is higher than 170 pay at RAH. That's 3x as many seats and many magnitudes lower on MTOW.

Cool it with AMF stuff. There are many other better paying 135 turbine freight gigs that AMF hasn't underbid yet. OMGTPIC

Multi mins are now 50

Well that's a kick in the head...

Timing is everything in this business.

The sooner people realize this, the better off the will be. It's through no fault of their own things happen the way they do. Two people could get into this circus only a month apart and one could be a wide body captain and the other still reserve FO at a crappy regional.

It's all a crap shoot. All we can do is go off the best information we have at the time and roll the dice.

Where is everyone getting Skywest dropped their multi mins? I can't find this anywhere.

Found it. I guess they have finally ran out of applications. Two months ago they would not even consider 50 multi.

I think they tapered off hiring for the slower winter season but now I think they really need to start worrying about hiring again for the spring. Since they're focused now more on 2014 it's no surprise to me that they have lowered the minimum.

I don't think they've ever dropped their multi mins. Wow.

Hypothetical situation: Someone who's already been in 121 for a few years and is well informed on Republic's contract goes there, for lets say a year, for the sole purpose of E170/175 time; not because its a "real" airliner, or has wing-mounted engines, but for the fly-by-wire/glass cockpit experience, time in the logbook, and type rating, for the hopes of making his/herself more marketable to places like JetBlue and Airways (maybe overseas). Except for living in base, consider all other factors negligible (pay, contract, etc), could this be a guilt-free and justifiable move? Not trolling, just curious what people think.

It's a sign! Something's happening!:eek:

I flew with a large group of guys who did exactly that, left turbo-prop gigs as captains to get FMS/glass time at RAH. I don't think it's a bad move if you are targeting airlines that heavily prefer advanced cockpit experience, but who really cares what we internet neckbeards think anyway? Do what you think is best.

Skywest
Eagle







Republic

When we get a contract, lets talk.