Meh. BOI ERJ upgrade is just over 3 years and dropping fast. West coast CRJ upgrade is under 3 years and dropping fast.

I don't have any interest in flying a CRJ or commuting for SkyWest. If I'm going to commute I'm going to go get those huge bonuses and quick upgrades over commuting to Detroit. This is the reason why Horizon has it better than Skywest in my opinion because I know that working at Horizon I will not be commuting to the Midwest or east coast to eventually be back at home again, most guys and gals come here to have that home base right away or pretty dang quick if they didn't get it out of ground school. Also, even if you guys do the longevity pay it's still not even worth it for my situation.... our FO scales compared to OO I would actually be taking a pay cut. I'm here til this ship sinks or a miracle happens and we grow again. Maybe if SkyWest decides to raise the pay rates to at or above market rates I'd maybe consider it. Until then....

The rates are going to have to come up if we are going to staff all the flying we just took on. Are you above flying a CRJ?

OA,

In the airline industry, very few people manage to stay put and not move/commute. If you are one of the few, great. Count your blessings.

Most people usually move to their first base at the beginning. New pilots on reserve and commuting don't fair well in the reliability department. You don't want a black mark on your career because you got fired while on probation due too many failed commutes.

If you are young, you need to seize the opportunities to get on with a good regional and get your turbine pic. Then, quickly move on. YOU decide which one fits you needs. If it is Horizon, then go there.

Realize that if your long term plan is Alaska Airlines, Horizon may not be the quickest route. Due to the staffing issues at Horizon, the AG is hesitant to poach from the Horizon pilot group. While Horizon pilots have interviewed and being selected based on the hiring quota, there is quite a stagnant pool of them waiting for class dates due to staffing problems at Horizon. (Source: AS CA I know well).

Go where your heart yearns. However, be careful to not let your heart cloud your judgement regarding career decisions.

I've been in this industry (with one airline) for as long as most millenials have been alive. Yes. That makes me sound old. I really don't feel old. But, looking back... I feel really lucky. I have a great job with great seniority. I really can't complaint.

From my perspective now ... Again, if you are young, go where you will get your time quickly and move on. Seniority is everything. If your first airline job is flying a jet, I'm jealous. It will make the next airplane that much easier to learn.

Flying a turboprop for 5 years (doing between 6 to 8 short legs per day in the weather all day) builds character. I know. Been there/done that. However, the jet is way more fun.

Sorry for the long post. Since this is an Internet forum, someone will call all this BS and say that I'm some poor CFI making stuff up. Hey, so be it.... I just hopes it helps some....

Agreed, good advice. It is possible we might get a flow when they realize they have no more attraction cards to play. During the latest webcast they kept hinting at it without being specific. We'll see what they come up with.

so what? OO is a better airline. period.

Enjoy those 1% raises for the next 5 years.

I’m pretty sure he works at QX.

I hate to tell you but I've seen friends from nearly every regional compare their W2 at the end of the year - and new hire or CA, OO almost always tops out or is right at the top. Pay rates may be lower but they aren't paying union dues and their QOL soft pay rules and company bonuses put them over the top. Just an observation - more to take into account than hourly rates.

Instead of quibbling over a few dollars per hour, consider the leadership track records. SkyWest acquired every 175 they could get while Horizon sat on their thumbs. Horizon's current problems were avoidable, but they focused on cutting costs instead of investing in a sustainable future.