I am a 27 year AF O-6 who has been out of the cockpit for 8 years, KC-135 AC & C-17 IP with ~3200 total hours, >1000 PIC. In transition planning now with offers from both GoJets and Trans States since I want to domicile in STL until I get some currency and get picked up by a Major (hopefully DAL, SWA or UPS). Have been comparing the 2 regionals and lean towards GoJets for their longer Senior Reservation Program, better bonus structure, no-strings ATP, and larger, newer equipment (I'm 6'2" and don't want to duck as I walk down the aisle).

That said, I've read elsewhere on these forums that GoJets has a negative union history. Interested in what experiences others have had with these 2 companies and if regional pedigree matters much to the Majors, especially for prior military. I don't plan to be at the regional level long (6-12 months) given the current hiring rates.

Also, I haven't done anything besides study a little to "brush the dust off". In several other comment threads advice was given to get some GA time, but I've never flown GA since T-41s at USAFA. Is it worth the time? I will get my ATP-CTP at the Regional's expense. Is there some other way to prep besides GA?

Thanks for any advice anyone might have.

I would begin to expand your options beyond TS and GO. Take my advise. Look at others flying out of ORD.

Second that. You could look at SkyWest. I have a buddy who just got 175s @ ORD right out of training. Good company apparently, at least this is what I hear from several friends.

Avoid gojet if you can. It's not an absolute show stopper, but there are a small number of folks out there who got burned badly by the ORIGINAL gojet alter-ego pilot group. If one of them happened to be involved in hiring at a major, he would likely attempt to torpedo anyone from gojet.

Really didn't want to commute the entire time I'm with a Regional. And STL only has TSA and GoJets. Is there a lesser of two evils?

It depends on what you're asking.

Does it matter as far as how you'll look to get interviewed/hired at a major airline? No. Your military resume and experience is going to far outweigh any minor prejudices/advantages that one regional might have over another in the eyes of the recruiting offices of the major airlines. 121 training and experience will all look essentially the same on your resume, regardless of what type of airplane, what is painted on the side of it, or what name is on the paycheck.

Does it matter in terms of how painful/useful the time spent working there will be? Absolutely, yes. There is plenty of good gouge on APC in terms of how to determine what is a good vs a bad regional for your experience level and how you're going to use the job as a stepping stone. Spend some quality time with the search feature....many people with situations similar to yours have asked the questions and been given excellent answers over the last 2-3 years or so.

Greatly appreciated. Just learning how valuable the APC Forums are. Will dig in this weekend.

I am in similar situation, non-current from a 5 yr staff gig. I focused on TSA primarily for ease of commuting and majority in my class had similar reasoning. Two of my old SQ bubbas who settled after a Scott tour came here as well. IAD is likely out of training for who knows how long and difficult to predict but my guess would be 3-4 months after IOE to get STL (6-7 months total after hire) assuming you have max senior reservation program days. As far as studying, if you already have job offers, you can focus on Sheppard Air ATP prep, which is normally provided once you agree to a start date. TSA at one point was paying for GA time to dust the rust off but they no longer have that option, though you could try to negotiate that. Not a bad idea for some GA time, but not going to be a shortfall...reviewing your instrument procedures would be most helpful as now I dont' have much time for extra studying. In training now, if you want more specific info, you can PM.

Just a couple thread links to get you started, OP:

Low time Mil - where to place my bets?
Getting Back into the Game
Staff guy to regionals
Which regional? (No, seriously, hear me out)
Returning to cockpit
Retiring AF Col/best regional option in DFW
How do majors view retiring staffers?
Majors hire non current military pilots?
Seperated military pilot, non current

My personal take, if I were sitting across the table from you, which regional you went to wouldn’t mean flip. You’ll be interviewing on your USAF career creds. Any interviewer is going to get this. It’s a means to an end, and to get current. Take whichever one means you don’t have to commute.

That said, don’t f it up. A training bust or any other problems at said regional will drag you down. Show up, work hard, enjoy being the new guy and absolved of the burden of being an O-6, and realize the captains you fly with will most likely be younger than the duration of your AF career (and be earning less than your pension check).