Jacburn is a great guy to fly with.

I miss flying with him. Always a great trip.

Everyone just disregard what hot Potato says...he was here when shyt had hit the fan and chip developed PTSD. I hope you see a psychiatrist Mr. Chip.

You left too soon. Things are much better here. Remember we have that LOA which allows you to come back within a year and keep your seniority number

Edit: chip lurkes this forum to routinely try to confirm to himself that he made the right choice to leave. BUT....everytime he comes here he realize that it's just getting better. Potato, C5 had already hit rock bottom when you were here. We can only go up, and that's all that's been happening ever since you left.

Lol.
I got a $20,000+/year raise, more days off, no one year bonus contract, a guaranteed interview at Delta after 18 months, a full upgrade (not CQFO), I fly a better product, airplanes are actually delivered on achedule, and a much better CBA.
I don’t need to lurk this forum to confirm anything.
And I’ve met at least five other C5 pilots who have quit this year.

Come on over, folks.
But haters gonna hate.

Then why are you still here? and if it's your silly excuse of keeping ppl updated about CommutAir......please! you don't work here anymore. Cut the umbilical cord completely already.

You're like an old grandpa trying to stay hip

All due respect, and I mean it, I do not intend to disrespect anyone in this forum, but I do agree, it's better to hear from those who are currently at Commutair that can help shed some light on seeing the truth about how things are there versus what they promise in the recruiting phase. From what I'm told is come to Commutair, upgrade while you're in FO training, pass the CPP, and 1000 hours as PIC at Commutair you're right in with United. I mean, that to me sounds like an awesome plan and reason enough to leave my current job. But I want to find out from actual Commutair pilots (not former pilots) what the reality is. I'm all for enjoying my time at Commutair and having some beers on layovers with the crew and enjoying the moment, but overall goal like most pilots is a major, and my major in mind is United and it seems Commutair is a great way to get into United.

I think it’s great to have a devil’s advocate. Chip, keep up the good work. People need to stay informed of all facts, past or present.

We live in an society now where if there’s a narrative people don’t want to hear, they try to squash or discredit it at all costs. The purpose of this forum is to share information. Keep sharing.

The problem is that the majority of posters on this forum are C5 cheerleaders either literally claiming to be involved in management or have Stolkholm Syndrome and have never worked at any other 121
airline. Why aren’t there more dissidents?? Well, one of the two Designated Examiners went on a witch hunt to threaten an APC posters for “negative comments about the company”.
One of the posters in this thread knows about that, as he was the one who started it. Good times at C5.

So no offense to you, but I believe people have a right to know how this company operates; even it if was all of 10 months ago. You’re right. It “sounds awesome”. Good luck with that.

Thank. And you’re right.
I’m just the “fake news” guy over here....

I also always enjoyed flying with Jacburn! Glad he's part of the training department. Knew Chip, but didn't know him well and we had different personalities, so I mostly stayed away. Sincerely glad he's happier now at his new home.

Yes, CommutAir has had issues. Yes, it's a regional airline. Yes, everyone should be treated like they want to be treated. Does it always happen without exception at every regional, no. I still contend it is a great place if you need 121 time, want a quick upgrade and/or want to get your hours fast to be able to upgrade- regardless if you're interested in pursuing United.

It must be amazing to have the only valid viewpoint on anything and everything.


Does Commutair have its warts? Yes; so does every regional out there.

Yes, we still carry paper charts, yes reserve rules are horrible, and yes there are no real protections from being extended into a day off. And our training washout rate is pretty high right now.

Everybody's washout rate is high, because very few regionals can be picky in the interview, and would rather try to get people through then turn them away. Reserve rules are horrible, but as a new FO, you won't see it for very long, and if you're a 0 121 time FO, by the time that you upgrade, there will be enough people junior to you on the captain list, you won't ever see it as a captain. We have adequate reserve coverage now, and extensions into days off are exceedingly rare, almost always related to late turns not making connections (my last one was when a ground stop on the last day caused me to miss a deadhead back to base, and that was 5 months ago. I've been extended twice in my time here)



Staffing is improving, and upgrade times are dropping again; while the junior captain award was a 4/17 hire, there weren't a whole lot of people hired between 4/17 and 12/17, and even fewer that meet upgrade minimums, so expect that to drop again, FAST.

Provided we can hire enough FO's to backfill.

Come in, pass the Hogan, get off IOE, pass the United interview, and boom- all you have to do is bide your time, 2-3 years and you'll be at United. Or, come here, upgrade fast, prove yourself and get hired into the training department, put a few more stickers on your resume, and get called from Southwest/Jetblue/Delta.

Is it a place to come and hang your hat for 9-10 years? Hell no, if I'm here in another two years, I'd be seriously questioning my life choices. But its a great place to come in, build your resume, fly with some fun people, and move on from fast.

It is what you make of it; if you're the kind of negative personality that dwells on every single negative thing in their day, please, don't come here, I don't want to deal with your negativity for a 4 day trip, or while sitting out a groundstop in Newark. But if you can keep a positive attitude, and keep an eye on the long game, its not THAT bad of a place right now.


I guess this makes me a naive cheerleader suffering from Stockholm syndrome.

But, at least I still work here, and am not spending hours a day thrashing a former employer that I haven't worked at in close to a year to random internet strangers on my days off.

Seriously, some people need to move on with their lives.