Republic vs TSA
 

All,

Need a little bit of an opinion, even if they're biased.

I currently live in Raleigh and could (potentially) get Raleigh based with TSA. I have no problem moving to Pitt for Republic as I'm originally from the area.

Based off personal experience, upgrade projections, pay, reserve times, contracts, and equipment - which place would ya'll choose?

Republic. Yes, they're in BK, but I think they have a brighter future as a 175 operator vs a 145 operator who may or may not get MRJs. And if they do, who will they fly for? Just my $.02.

Honestly, with TSH owning 3 airlines, I wouldn't be too worried about the 145. The RDU base would be up in the air when/if TSA loses the AA contract. Right now compensation is better at RAH. No one is 100% positive how that contract survives BK. Each place has their positive and negatives and not a single person can predict the future of this industry.

Right now RAH appears to be the better place. That hasn't always been the case and certainly not for the past half decade.

I'd go with the TSA, cool uniform and they get a badge!

TSA has a very professional training department. I was happy with TSA but I didn't worked that long there due a family tragedy.

Coming back to aviation I am also deciding either to go toTSA or RAH as because of the 170/175 and (to my opinion) reasonable first year pay.
(Few bucks difference however with TSA)

I am aware of the history. The pilots (union) worked very hard there to get a better contract.

Hence, I guess the pilots at RAH are good people to work with?
(any comments welcome)

How is to live in Raleigh compare to Pit?

Oh snap!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lolz dats totes awesum!



And now back to everyone else commenting:

Thanks for the info. Just needing a little info to hopefully help push my decision one way or the other.

Neither...

Well it surely isn't the incipient dumpster fire that is PSA.

Personally I wouldn't move for a regional carrier if you didn't have to. If you enjoy RDU, then I would go to TSA. If it's not a big deal, I'm not sure which one I would go with. I would probably wait until bankruptcy was over to see how things shake out at RAH. As someone said previously, I wouldn't worry about the 145s since they can and probably will fold 2 or all 3 of the carriers together eventually.

I looked at both of those too for the exact same reasons. Grew up in PIT. I ended up at TSA. Worked out pretty well for me as I only had 1 month of reserve at RDU.

If you want rdu, it is currently our most junior base at trans states, and I anticipate it will be that way for a long time. I think it would be a pretty safe bet you can get rdu or of training, or worst case, within a month or two. You would probably be on reserve for 2-3 months max at a junior base like rdu. A year ago I spent roughly 6 weeks on reserve after I completed training. As far as upgrade, upgrade times seem to be in flux. I would put them close to 2 years. If you have no prior 121 experience, it will take roughly 18 months to get the 1000 121 anyways.

I've liked trans states so far. The people are great. If you want to work a lot and make extra $$, it's really easy here, and I consistently credit more than 110 hours, which makes up for our slightly lower pay rate than rah. Our downside is that we fly the 145, but as others have said, our parent company owns three airlines. Staffing is an issue at all three certificates, and if we were to lose our aircraft, I believe they would either give us different planes that they are struggling to staff or start to consolidate/merge certificates, much like RAH did with republic/shuttle/Chautauqua.

Rah has the 170 and a pretty decent contract, they will definitely be around in the future. But how good the pay/contract will stay is up to the bankruptcy courts.

After RAH signed the new contract, I thought about jumping there to move closer to family. I ultimately decided there was too much uncertainty of whether their new contract would survive unscathed in bankruptcy court. I don't think it will go back to as bad as the old contract, but if you look at the precedent set by other airline bankruptcies, the courts have demanded concessions from all parties, and pilot contracts have ALWAYS taken a hit. Also, i consistently make about $1000/month more than my friends at RAH, and they said it would be very difficult to credit what I credit here at trans states at rah. Also, j would end up on the bottom of the seniority list with a 3-4 year upgrade time.

constipation vs diarrhea

Man, what do you call Mesa and CommutAir then?

Honestly the only way I would recommend Tsa is if you live walking distance from a base. So I guess Tsa for you.

Rah is still pretty bad, but with a stronger future and contract. New planes help a lot too. Tsa is a mom and pop, it's almost hard to believe they plan on running MRJs. Don't expect anything.

Why would you go some place where this could be the future when there are lots of other places with secure large RJ contracts with already integrated certificates. This is part of the reason why recruiting is down to a trickle.

And also how would you like to sort out your place on the seniority list against gojet and compass if it ever comes down to us losing contracts? Sounds awesome.

Nothing in this business is secure, take that out of the equation

So you're saying they're going to lose their big RJ contracts next year or two? Tsa contracts are literally on yearly leases.

Several bankruptcies the contract has stayed intact. Most recently, Mesa. Know your history. Don't spew out misinformation.

The RAH contract isn't to be touched and the court has already approved that. All parties know if it was, that would be the end of rah. So all parties, investors, company and court agree on that.

My time at RAH has been fine. I live in base, I have a line, and got it early. I get the days of the week off that I wanted, and I'm flying 98 hours in June, just like I want.

Living in base is very important. The longest trips I have are 4 days, and so I drive an hour and a half to the airport on day 1 (usually afternoon starts) and do 2 or 3 legs. On day 4 I usually end midday and I'm home for dinner.

I'm not saying you're gonna get the exact same thing, but I'm definitely not pulling my hair out at this job. I will of course move on as soon as a better opportunity arises because that's the goal and it's the natural progression of my career, but this isn't the torturous slave labor that people make it out to be. If you want that, go fly at a small 135 and do 14 hour days for 5 or 6 days a week making $10/hr.

The crews are good people, the hotels are nice (except toronto, which is soon being switched), and the aircraft are in good shape. Just my .02

How can you compare Mesa to Commutair? have you seen both their contracts?

I have friends at both airlines... So yes, I have.

I've got friends everywhere too, sure doesn't give me the right to start trashing a company I've never worked for just because my friend tells me to...kinda moronic in principal with no work history there don't ya think!?

I worked at TSA 12 years ago, loved it there. I do not work there now so I can't speak to their current situation. Even if I "heard" it was bad from my "friends" I still wouldn't have the arrogance to spew useless condescending remarks about a place I don't even work for.

I'm starting at C5 soon, the people I've encountered there have all been first class folks. Everyone I've talked to about the place (in person or in a real conversation...not on some chat board) has had great things to say about the place. Guess I'll find out on my own.

TSA gets a bad rap a lot...and I can understand why sometimes as I remember how it was over a decade ago. But I suggest you apply to and actually go work somewhere else first before you start running your mouth and throwing stones.

Hey, thanks for the lecture grandpa. You feel better now?

The point was, if RAH having one of the richest contracts in the industry and TSA floating above average are diarrhea and constipation, what do you consider two of the weakest?

By the way, I've worked plenty of places outside TSA. I'm not sorry my opinion hurts your feelings.

lol...I'm not sorry either. Just embarrased for you my friend. I'm just not an expert on everybody else's company so I can't see how some guys just feel they are holier than thou and know all the solutions to every situation when you have no first hand knowledge.

No worries, I'll let you get back to bashing now.

contracts are made to be broken, contracts can be canceled or terminated for any reason anytime.

Changing from TSA and Republic, I am trying to decide between Endeavor and Republic. I have some details about life at Endeavor, but none about Republic. It seems things have gotten a little better there. But, how about movement? Still looking at five year upgrades? Reserve times? What are the junior bases? Chances of getting MIA? And for the more junior line holders, what are your average credits vs days off? Thanks.

PSA isn't really a dumpster fire despite what some posters on here would have you believe. But no, I wouldn't recommend PSA right now. I also wouldn't recommend Republic or TSA either.

Sweetholyjesus I saw that thread, unfortunately it isn't much help. That thread has became more of attorneys - I mean pilots discussing the bankruptcy and their uncredited theories on what every move means.

At RAH the most junior captain in the last award was 6/2012. Most junior First Officer in Miami is 2/2015. Most guys are getting a line pretty quick after training and I see the upgrade time coming down to 2-3 years in the near future. It's not a bad place to work, contrary to what most people spew on this board, however commuting can be a pain in the ass wherever you go. If you have anymore questions PM me.

IMO Rule #1 for regional carriers is do not move for them. Equipment can change, pay can increase, and bases sure do change a lot now a days with all the contracts and planes changing hands. I took a gig where I live and really haven't regretted it. All in all, no one plans on being around the RJs long term, so I would recommend you don't either. Pick what best fits you currently and just go...because seniority does matter.

Couldn't agree more with this statement.

170driver, tried sending pm, not sure it sent through this app or not though...

Nobody can tell you what's best for you. I chose RAH over Endeavor and some people would say I'm crazy, but it was a better choice for me and my family. I've been happy here so far and like most everyone else, I'm just trying to work towards the next better job.

I chose endeavor over republic. It really comes down to what was previously posted. If one is a home base for you...take it. Otherwise, I can't speak to republic although from what J hear from the guys I know is good news. As for endeavor, very happy. Holding in a line first month off OE! Company just waived upgrade requirements (company specific) because they couldn't fill the most recent Capt vacancy. That puts upgrades at less than 2 years


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As a former C5 guy Ile give you my .02c The company had its fair share of issues. The pilot group was absolutly amazing! I had alot of fun on trips there. Some very good guys and gals. The company on the other hand I have had my doubts in the past. Going there is not a bad decision. In fact we used to joke that C5 was transstates with props. Think about it. Both small companys. Both with a single owner. Both with a large group of fun yet disgruntled pilots.

Oh ya and the Dash was hella fun. Get on that if you can. It really is an awsome plane.

Lastly, why compare regionals to eachother. They all suck. There will be things you hate! So go somewhere you do not have to commute. Dont choose a regional for its shiny jets. Pick hat will give you the best QOL. Because again, regionals suck. :cool:

Hey, thanks for the info! That's the first legitimate, informative, and "good guy" response I've gotten in a long time on here.

Yeah, every regional has it's issues no doubt. I've worked for four of them and I'm assuming this time won't be any different. Some of the most fun I've had in the business was with TSA and Air Wisky.

I'll probably end up on the 145 since I've got a lot of experience in it but I don't care what I fly...and I know the dash would be a blast. I live in Green Bay so I'll be doing a two leg commute no matter what to get there. I'm planning on just living in a hotel for the near future.

I'm looking forward to the new friends I'm going to meet and work with. Thanks again for the good intel!

Come to AWAC. We are getting 175s. Announcement soon!

How do you know you're getting 175s?

My best friend's sister's boyfriend overheard an AWAC MX guy say it on the crew bus. It must be true.