Ladies and germs,

Long time reader. First time seeker. Hoping to get some directed input on how to get where I want to be with as little PITA getting there as possible.

TT: 1,042
ME: 939
MIL PIC (C-130): 228
CFI/MEI/CFII, Single & Multi commercial, Instrument

I'm currently flying a desk in Japan and am looking to be available for a class date July/August 2019. With my hours and no ATP I'll need to jump into a regional. I'll be flying reserve C-130's in Dallas or teaching as a reservist in flight school in Corpus Christi as an augment to regional work and pay. I plan to live in either Dallas or Houston and at this moment south of Houston seems more likely.

With that I've started looking at Envoy, Republic, SkyWest and Mesa due to domiciles. Good pay is great but unless it's severely different I'm more concerned with quickly getting through training, minimum time to at least reserve in IAH or DFW and most importantly is what a regional's reputation would bring.

I've heard a lot of negative things about Mesa - but I can start DFW or IAH and hold a line immediately. That's worth something, but what I don't know is if it will make me less competitive when applications go out to the majors. I assume military experience would compensate but I'd rather be at the top of the stack than just in it. Ideal next would be Southwest, United or American.

Hoping anyone in the regional trenches can help me out with an educated decision. I hear a lot about work rules and QOL talk but am unsure where to find each regional's contract.

I appreciate any help and feedback, even if it's more questions I should be asking. Thanks!

Mike

With your background...

Republic
Envoy
Skywest
Active Duty Orders


Mesa will probably still take you if you don’t make it through training or your first year on the line, for whatever reason, at the others... can’t say the reverse is true.

Spent time with PSA and am now at Republic. Feel free to PM your phone info and I’ll be happy to answer any questions I can. Former military helicopter guy who made the jump to 121 as well.

Based upon your timeline I would apply to all of them and then decide about a month prior. Much can happen over the next year or so. I would also add ExpressJet with their IAH base for that reason. Right now it's a dumpster fire, but a new TA was just approved by the MEC and supposedly 25 E-175's are on the way, so you never know. Three years ago Republic was parking E-145's, being sued by Delta and going through bankruptcy. Look at them now.

I would pick a regional that has a Houston base, if you plan to live there. I think Republic has one. It will make your life a lot easier.

My advice would be don’t commute while in reserve or guard. If you can live within driving distance of your guard unit and civilian job it will be so much easier. Mesa has always been s mess, but I doubt you would spend more then a year or so there. The healthcare sucks at Mesa I’m told, but you would most likely use tricare. Good luck

Republic has a IAH base that you should be able to hold right out of training. You’re only 450 hours short of the required so you should be able to move onto American or Southwest easily in 9-10 months. 😎

Mike - For Texas flying Mesa is your best bet. With Mesa you can get DFW on the CRJ while in training and IAH is the ONLY Ejet (E175) base so if this is most important to you it's the best choice. While others have DFW and IAH bases they are generally Senior bases and you won't likely get them out of training.

DFW is going to new hires at OO. Avoid Mesa at all costs.

Just met a guy who told me he left Mesa for another regional because he was flying too much - he said he was getting a day a week off (I’m assuming was commuting). Despite asking he didn’t see it changing anytime soon so he changed it for himself by leaving.

OO has just opened DFW. Can’t speak to any others. Agree with comments elsewhere about not commuting and also flying instead of sitting. Re types, l disregarded advice to pick ERJ over CRJ, not because it was incorrect, but because it didn’t fit my particular situation with my specific goals.

If your goal is a major in a couple years, perhaps the best available training, 121 time, and QOL in your situation will be the deciding factors for you. While there is good info on this and other boards, you alone will live with your decision. So go with what works best for you. Good luck!