I'm new here but from what I see Skywest seems to be the best regional to work for when considering stability, pay, schedule, bases, upgrades, pilot treatment, etc.

Horizon seems to be running number 2...
Am I close?

SKW & Horizon are the correct answer if you like the Western US.

Mesa is not the worst, but offhand, I can't think of who is actually lower on the list than them

LOL...if they are not the worst I would hate to see who was

Welcome to the boards. One thing you will learn is that what one pilot considers to be the best is not what another pilot would consider to be the best. Example: You may consider Horizon to be the best regional because their 1st year FO pay and benefits is better than anyone else. But compare 6 year FO pay at Horizon with 6 year CA pay at Chitauqua or ExpressJet. Now who got the better deal? If your ultimate career goal is the regionals then yes, Horizon and Skywest could be considered the best. But if you just want to do your time in the regional world and get out ASAP then there are better choices. The key is to determine what is important to YOU personally with regard to quality of life, pay and benefits and upgrade time and then find the company that fits YOU. Just remember, in aviation opinions are like *********s - every pilot has one and most of them stink.

Pssst! Upgrades here at Horizon are running considerably under 6 years. Thought you should know.

Sorry, that number came from the best information I had available. I see Horizon is expanding. Now if you could just get those old farts to retire or move on

what about comair?

It might be a tight race as to who is the worst to fly for, GoJets or Mesa

As a lucky Horizon escapee, I got the call for upgrade at QX right at 5 1/2 yrs. seniority. Not a whole lot under the 6 year mark. It could come down a little bit more depending on fleet plans, but I wouldn't hold my breath on that one. I think Horizon will only have a net increase of 4 maybe 5 aircraft after they take delivery of the 12 new mega-whackers. The plans are to retire 9 of the baby dash's sometime next year.

I was on a hotel van with a NetJets guy that left SkyWest. Said that the management suckered the pilots into an "above average" contract to keep ALPA out. Said that this wasn't a problem, until they were short on crews, and say your vacation came up. They would call you up and say "Hey, you're taking this trip and taking your vacation later." Is this still an issue at SkyWest? I mean, the breaking of contract issues because of a lack of enforcement? If so, as much as I can't stand ALPA, you may want to see what it would take to bring them in to help with contract enforcement.