I interviewed at both Envoy and EDV. I live in the DFW area. I just wanted to share my experience and why I chose EDV.

Envoy:

Interview was laid back, the volunteer captains who run the show were very professional, but didn't sugarcoat anything. They addressed the 8-9 year flow and told us about how everything works in the presentation.

The technical and HR interviews didn't seem all that serious. It seemed like more of a box checking exercise than a real screening process. Free lunch is always nice.

The paperwork was kind of brutal. They had about 3x what was required at EDV.

Endeavor:

Very similar format to Envoy, in that it consists of a presentation, HR and technical interviews, and paperwork. Overall, I felt that the management at Endeavor really valued their people more than those at Envoy. It's subjective, but I felt there was more cohesion at Endeavor between the employees and the process. The HR questions were a little more in depth.

Anyways, both offered a conditional job offer, but Endeavor gave me a class date on the spot. I have yet to here back from Envoy, but I will decline the class date.

Even though I will never be based at home with Endeavor, there are a few things going for them:

A. No bonus (except IOE). I won't have to repay any bonus if I am lucky enough to have a major call me within 2 years. Bonus is already rolled in.

B. Longevity. Captain pay is 20k/year higher, if I don't get the call from a major.

C. Commuter policy. I will be stuck in NY or ORD with Envoy for around a year or so. Endeavor's 2nd positive space commuter policy is a big deal. If I can hold ATL, I really won't have to worry about getting to work, although getting back might be a problem. I can always just bid NYC and not worry about it, either way.

D. Schedules. They are a lot better at Endeavor.

It seems like Endeavor gets it and Envoy doesn't, and that is basically what it comes down to. I'd rather commute to work and have a better schedule and pay than live in base and be miserable.

Enjoy commuting! Glad you're happy with your decision.

If this had happened 2 years ago, I would have said that you were an idiot. Today, it's a bit tougher to ridicule your decision. With the exception of the commute, I see no reason why Envoy would be the better choice at this point. Congrats~

I honestly don't think you made a bad decision. Your observations used in your decision making are spot on. Obviously you will be paid much better, have far superior schedules, and have much better work rules. The general consensus from those I've spoken with that have left Envoy, and other regionals alike, and went to EDV is that the management team there actually appreciate you, value you and treat you like an important member of the team. That is worth a ton. EDV is the place to be right now, no question about it.

You made the correct decision. You would have commuted at Envoy at some point anyways. Schedules are not near as good here, and you are no more then a number here. Same everywhere, but at least other places try to make it seem not so. Envoy should not be the 1st choice between the 2 ever, until things improve here.

Mic drop BOOM

Yup good choice. Envoy at some point would’ve forced you to commute. Countless guys I fly with that have waited 2+ years to get back to DFW

You made an excellent choice. Endeavor is a perfect airline to be at and has absolutely nothing wrong with it. I heard that when they forced concessions down their pilots' throat a few short years ago that they called each individual pilot and personally apologized because they valued their pilots so much. I even heard that an airline named Pinnacle was one of the first airlines to start a massive race to the bottom in concessionary contracts, driving the whole industry down with it. Then, out of the kindness of their hearts, management decided to offer crazy bonuses to make it up to their pilots.
Their are absolutely zero unhappy pilots at Endeavor. You will enjoy commuting and you are definitely going to get hired at a legacy anyway within a few years because you have more experience and are a much better pilot than the 16,000 pilots that have their applications in with the legacies.
Thank you for enlightening all of us.

So when did the union ask you to write this?

Best of luck on your decision. When is your class date?