It seems that the general perception of Republic is avoid at all cost. I am about to enter flight school when I graduate college. I know that the FO pay is poor at Republic but I would like to know what exactly all the issues with Republic are (preferable in a list format). It would be nice for current Republic pilots to comment. I would like to work out of EWR or PHL if I were to get hired at a regional and I am under the impression that Republic is the only regional who has hubs at both. Also what are the chances that republic might be a better place to work, and is it more likely it will get better than worse or stay the same? I appreciate any input, thanks!

 

Save yourself the trouble and just avoid the career not just republic. I'm 100% serious when I say if I could do it all over again, I wouldn't.

 

Unfortunately, I don't know all that much about Republic personally. I think most regionals are about the same from the info I get from my friends who are at almost every regional airline. Some are a little better, some are a little worse. Go to a place that meets your needs and has bases where you prefer. I love this career, it definitely had it's ups and downs, but if I had to do it all over again, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

 

You have to work there to understand how bad it is.

HR that walks around like the Gestapo.

Mostly **** CP's and management that won't lift a finger for you.

Crew Scheduling walks all over you and the contract.

A union that's worth about nothing.

 

Apply to Commutair, they have an EWR base, much quicker upgrade, better starting pay, better contract, and just an overall better place to work

 

So what is your story specifically? When did you start who did you work for. Why did you not enjoy aviation/want to get out?

 

If you having even started training yet don't worry. It'll take you years before you will be hired and the industry could look drastically different then.

 

Hired in 2011 at Eagle. I hate commuting, being away from family, making very little money, and the manner in which we're treated as regional pilots. All this sacrifice for the chance that maybe someday you'll fly for a real career airline and be happy? No thanks. I've got 3 years left and I'm done with this garbage.

 

So it is management that is the problem. Not necessarily your contract? Any sign of hope for the future. Since I am just starting out I would not be able to work for a regional easily for another 2 years. Just trying to get some perspective.

 

How far away are you from graduating? Flying is my 2nd career, and I've been at this for almost 10 yrs. I thought i would be out of the regionals in 5 at most! Most of us believe, and the current events support this, that things are really going to change in the next 2 yrs.

The regional model of dirt cheap labor and whipsaw is not working anymore. So, being young, this could be a great time to get started.

However, the next few years are likely to be absolute chaos as regional airlines fold, and there becomes a struggle between mainline and regionals over their current **** poor contracts. It will likely take you two or three years to get 1500 hours and in that time anything can change. The costs involved in getting all your ratings now will be tremendous, so you better have a way to survive as a flight instructor.

I also hope you are ready to work your butt off, because you will be at the flight school from the early morning to sometimes late at night, and maybe only getting 4-5 hrs of pay. I would say, do your private pilot course part 61 as it gives you more flexibility. But also do your homework and find a school that will let you fly every day. A lot of 61 schools are shoe string operations and are run very slipshod.

In short, it is too early to worry about what regional to go to as in 2 years, the landscape will be very different.