Meh. The flow is nothing more than a recruiting tool. Go where you can be based at home or have the shortest commute.

Are you a former military aviator? In that case, the flow is completely pointless; you'll be at the majors long before your flow number comes up. (And I would take that "4 year flow" number with not just a grain of salt, but a chunk of it large enough to hobble a camel.) So, I'd say: pick whatever regional allows you to live in base and not commute. It is a totally different job when you live in base vs. commuting. And commuting to reserve is a special h*ll that hopefully you never have to endure.

If your military experience didn't involve pointy things that burn kerosene, then perhaps PDT's flow might be a bit more enticing. But honestly, these figures being quoted on 'flow times' are not based in reality, just like someone getting hired today at SKW won't necessarily upgrade in 10 months, despite the fact that our most junior CA has now been here all of 10 months.

My advice, and that of pretty much everyone else here, remains the same: Work for whatever regional is most convenient for you to live in base. Whatever you do, do not commute for this job. It will challenge your sanity and your personal relationships....

Don't call Skywest a regional, their pilot group might take offense. They consider themselves mainline. But in all seriousness, go to PDT with guaranteed flow. Even if it's used as a recruiting tool, you're still able to apply to any other legacy carriers like any other regional without a flow. Why not increase your chances at no cost?

Despite this person's obvious angst towards SKW (probably rejected as an applicant back when they were selective), he is correct that there's no good reason not to have the possibility of flow, unless the geography would be a hardship.

Any drooling moron can flow, while getting hired off the street can be a real crapshoot, even for those fully qualified.

But SKW might be a better option if you're older and plan staying on at a regional. Wouldn't want your WO to be absorbed by mainline to solve a pilot shortage, and then end up commuting to reserve at JFK at age 61.

135 to 121
 

Looking to make the jump to 121. Id like to make an informed decision without the bias of a recruiter.

Pay: This would be a paycut, however it looks like there is a bonus of $7500 for previous 135 experience. I've also heard that there is a bonus for taking the CRJ instead of the ERJ. Can anyone confirm?

Base: I live in LA. "Right now" how long is it taking to get to LAX on the CRJ or ERJ.

Line/Reserve: Right now, how long is reserve for the most junior base on the ERJ and CRJ. How long is reserve in LAX on the CRJ and ERJ

Upgrade: At present what is the upgrade time for both airframes at their respective junior base and LAX.

Thanks for any assistance.

Is your goal a Major?? If so. Im afraid the flow may make you lazy and not apply to other Majors and just wait for it.. I would do SkyWest, apply to the majors. You will be gone in under 2 years...

He just posted this in the CPZ thread.

Seems odd he's looking at leaving already? Anyhow if the posts are just worded weirdly. Good luck in training at OO, and don't leave if you are already here since leaving CPZ, and OO will not look too great then again if you have the flow at least you can end up at AA.

I get that we refer to 'Regionals' but I think it's a term that's outlived is accuracy if not usefullness. OO has more aircraft, destinations (in and out of the USA) and pilots than a lot of 'mainline' carriers around the world (I just flew on QANTAS - and they're a small outfit compared to SKW)...just saying...

We should really call them mainline, and aubcontractors

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I've been here almost 3 years and I can honestly tell you that you have no idea what you're talking about. We're a regional. A subcontractor. A staffing agency for pilots earning D-scale wages.

Nobody here thinks we're mainline.