The thread title says it all. I've narrowed my regional choices down to these three airlines and am now at the crossroads. I've received an interview invitation from Pinnacle, my Xjet app is 'screening', and Comair is still pending (I've got a call in for some feedback, but haven't heard back yet).

QOL is important to me, which I'll define for these purposes as living in domicile and/or having a short reserve period with a short commute. I live in Orlando and can't move (I'd lose too much money selling my house in this housing market - if I could sell it at all), so Comair has been high on my list for their MCO base. I think MEM would be a fairly short commute, so Pinnacle would be OK, too, if I wasn't on reserve for too long. Likewise with IAH & Xjet.

I'm not too hung up on upgrade times, though that's certainly important to me, as extrapolating current times into the future is too much like wishful thinking to be relied upon for life-planning. That said, it seems as though Pinnacle & Xjet will have better times than Comair. I'm starting with over 1000TT, so my time shouldn't be the limiting factor.

Anyway, I'm off to study for my ATP written. The Pinnacle interview is 4/25, so I've got a lot to do in not much time. Gotta get a new suit...

Ken

Order of preference: XJT, Comair, Pinnacle last. Until Pinnacle hammers out their contract, they are subpar to the way you would be treated at ExpressJet or Comair. I know for sure that my friends at XJT really enjoy being there. That's where I'd go.

One more thought... you and the rest of the industry will thank you later for picking the best possible company to work for. Doing this will help force the sub-par operators to come up with better working conditions. Go XJT or Comair.

XJT...though I dont work there...so take it for what its worth.

I hear what you're saying, no doubt about it, but the reality is that I'm going to need to accept the first offer I get. My wife will thank me for that. :-)

Ken

The reality is that that attitude is what kills our industry. I recently had a friend give up a Pinnacle class date for a XJT interview and he says that it is the best decision that he ever made. Waiting out a few weeks is worth it.

I'm trying to keep this friendly, but you don't know me at all. The last thing I want to do is get into an online debate with a total stranger about my 'attitude'. I'll join the union and not cross any lines, pick up disputed pairings, or anything else that'll upset the majority's political applecart, but I'm not interested in being any kind of crusader on a personal level. Some people may be willing to sacrifice their own short-term interests for the uncertain chances of improving things overall, but I simply can't afford to take that view. That's reality, at least from where I'm sitting.

Ken

XJT hands down...

Comair just recently took concessions, DL's redheaded step child.

Pinnacle is in contract negations, how long nobody knows and how much better will their contract be? Their contract is sub par compared to the 2 airlines above, and my guess even after negations will not touch XJets.

I apologize, I am not into arguing at all either, I am just saying that if we hold out for good companies then this industry could eventually improve.

Keep in mind that an interview at XJT could be just a week later from a job offer at Pinnacle... and if it is that close then choose your best option!

It's totally cool. Thanks for the kind words. I completely agree that good companies and contracts should be encouraged by whatever means possible.

I'd certainly be inclined to accept an Xjet offer if I received one, but I'm nervous about blowing off the bird in the hand, as it were, for one that might not even be on the bush. So to speak.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for another interview invitation before the Pinnacle appointment next week.

Regards,
Ken