I've spent a lot of time on these forums lurking for the past few months, and I know everyone tends to hate this kind of thread, but I am really looking for insight into how these three regionals compare. My end goal is United, and I'm currently a CFI/CFII approaching 1500. Mid-20's and unattached, so I don't care about where I'm based, and aiming to start training sometime in January (pending a CJO, obviously).
Priorities:
1) Quality initial training
2) Fly a lot
3) Upgrade quickly
4) QOL
5) Pay
Obviously achieving all 5 of these goals is what everyone wants, but really if I can achieve the top 3 priorities then I can live with lackluster pay and QOL.
As I see it, C5 and Expressjet both have reputable training departments, while Air Whisky's reputation is less than stellar. It seems C5 might be overstaffed on FO's so that might be the lowest of the three for flight hours, but not sure about Air Whisky or ExpressJet. Not sure how the three compare for the rest of the priorities.
As things stand now, would you come to C5 again? How do things compare at ExpressJet or Air Whisky? Of these three, which would offer the most flying for a new FO? How is pay between these three?
I know APC has tons of info on pay and per diem, but it doesn't really offer any insight on the day-to-day reality on the ground. Thanks in advance for any info!