Here is a news release of the Cuba thing if anyone wants to read it.

http://www.wsj.com/articles/six-u-s-carriers-selected-to-provide-scheduled-flights-to-cubas-secondary-airports-1465573904

Hey guys, possibly interested FO here. I live fairly close to TPA and just saw the upgrade in pay and day trips, so Silver is looking pretty good for me but I have a few questions...

Training - How long, where, how often are classes and will they take me at 1450 and build the rest in the sims(like other regionals)
Bases - obviously TPA is preferred so how long to get there, how good/bad is commuting from IAD
Reserve - how long typically
Cuba - Any routes from TPA?

I currently have 1200TT and will have 1450TT in less than 3 months.

Training - How long, where, how often are classes and will they take me at 1450 and build the rest in the sims(like other regionals)
A. It'll take you about 1.5 to 2 months, all included. Ground is about 1 month and sims will be maybe 2 to 4 weeks.
B. The ground school is in Fort Lauderdale, the sims are in Miami. You'll be in a hotel for the entire time with your own room.
C. I'm not sure about this as I already was past my 1,500 when I arrived. I would ask a recruiter about it.


Bases - obviously TPA is preferred so how long to get there, how good/bad is commuting from IAD
The most junior co-pilot in Tampa, as of yesterday, has a March class date. So about 4 months to get to Tampa RIGHT NOW. I emphasize right now because things are always changing. Keep in mind however that this individual did about 2 months of training, so really he was only in IAD for 2 months.
Commuting to DC is kind of individual, it sucks for some, not so bad for others.


Reserve - how long typically
In IAD, maybe a month if you're unlucky. In TPA or MCO, probably a few months.


Cuba - Any routes from TPA?
Probably, your guess is as good as mine on Cuba.



As a final unrelated note, our contract just actually got a bit better and pay scales went up to $34/hour for a starting FO, $37.90 if you're in IAD.

I hope this helps you in making your decision, whatever it may be, and if you have any other questions feel free to PM me.

Anyone have any info on the interview for Silver? I may have an upcoming interview. All help is appreciated!

Silver load check please.

Saturday, July 30th, TPA - EYW (All three flights.)
Sunday, July 31st, EYW - TPA (All three flights.)

Thank you!

I've been looking at Silver, I live between VPS and PNS. I thought the commute would be easy on Silver. A page or so back advises not to commute on silver because of maint delays. Still a factor?

It's like a box of chocolates, you never know what you'll get.

If you want to fly the Saab go and fly for GLO out of MSY. They pay a lot more.

Not necessarily. According to APC the FOs on the 340 at GLO are making $35,000 / year.

Our FOs clear about $36,600 just factoring in the first year pay of $34 / hour x 75 hours x 12 + $6,000 bonus.

Plus you'll get CASS and KCM.

Yeah GLO is salaried but with per diem you can factor in another $5-6k and CASS is getting set up there currently