Another Upgrade Options Thread...

[Will3506]

Didn't want to hijack the other thread with my own questions. I am within 100hrs of 1000 121SIC and 2500TT, and the upgrade is coming. Little background,
I have a 4 year degree (took 5 years), no failures, apps in and updated regularly, previous Part 135 SIC and Captain in turbine aircraft although the PIC was single engine. I am struggling with what airplane to upgrade into. Should I upgrade to the CRJ (plane I have never flown before) or wait out for the 175?
Upgrading into an airplane I've never flown before as my first experience as a 121 Captain is a little intimidating if I am being honest. I've been at the company for 2 years and I would wait for the CRJ upgrade in my current base, junior captain is 2 years 8 months. Wife and I would move for the 175 as its over 5 years to hold captain in current base. Would definitely feel more comfortable upgrading to the 175. Junior 175 captain is 2 years 6 months, but awards have been hovering around 3ish years the last few bids. I've weighed pros and cons to each and they are pretty much tied.

 

[BigZ]

I get to fly with direct entry captains, many of which get to me with 50-70 hrs of OE time after 767/Saab/E145/driving freight trains/you name it and they do fine. Guys with prior CRJ700 time, obtained at another shop, have to work just as hard to fly it "our way".
Is the 175 nicer? Yup. But QOL trumps equipment. If you like where you live, stay there and upgrade on the CRJ if it gets you better QOL.

 

[JordanD]

Didn't want to hijack the other thread with my own questions. I am within 100hrs of 1000 121SIC and 2500TT, and the upgrade is coming. Little background,
I have a 4 year degree (took 5 years), no failures, apps in and updated regularly, previous Part 135 SIC and Captain in turbine aircraft although the PIC was single engine. I am struggling with what airplane to upgrade into. Should I upgrade to the CRJ (plane I have never flown before) or wait out for the 175?
Upgrading into an airplane I've never flown before as my first experience as a 121 Captain is a little intimidating if I am being honest. I've been at the company for 2 years and I would wait for the CRJ upgrade in my current base, junior captain is 2 years 8 months. Wife and I would move for the 175 as its over 5 years to hold captain in current base. Would definitely feel more comfortable upgrading to the 175. Junior 175 captain is 2 years 6 months, but awards have been hovering around 3ish years the last few bids. I've weighed pros and cons to each and they are pretty much tied.

It's pretty easy to guess the airline, so...

The junior captain metric is kind of arbitrary. Especially with the 175, it seems like it's really stagnated the last few months and as far as I know the deliveries are done, minus a handful over the next couple years that I believe are just replacements for some other CRJs.
Against the conventional advice of taking the first available ugprade, I waited to upgrade on the same airplane I was an FO on because I had the same trepidation as you. It did make me feel like I was able to focus on the "being the head honcho" part, and be able to monitor newer FOs more easily because I knew the airplane. That said, your seniority is probably going to go absolutely nowhere on the 175 for a long, long time. I haven't moved an inch since last summer, if anything moved backwards because senior people will always move over to the 175. If you're willing to move to base, great, but be ready to be on reserve.

 

[Will3506]

It's pretty easy to guess the airline, so...

The junior captain metric is kind of arbitrary. Especially with the 175, it seems like it's really stagnated the last few months and as far as I know the deliveries are done, minus a handful over the next couple years that I believe are just replacements for some other CRJs.
Against the conventional advice of taking the first available ugprade, I waited to upgrade on the same airplane I was an FO on because I had the same trepidation as you. It did make me feel like I was able to focus on the "being the head honcho" part, and be able to monitor newer FOs more easily because I knew the airplane. That said, your seniority is probably going to go absolutely nowhere on the 175 for a long, long time. I haven't moved an inch since last summer, if anything moved backwards because senior people will always move over to the 175. If you're willing to move to base, great, but be ready to be on reserve.

No problem with being on reserve and I understand that I will be on reserve for a long time. I've definitely been leaning towards the ERJ. I feel it is less risky as it comes to training, monitoring new guys, etc.

 

[JordanD]

No problem with being on reserve and I understand that I will be on reserve for a long time. I've definitely been leaning towards the ERJ. I feel it is less risky as it comes to training, monitoring new guys, etc.

Keep an eye on the upgrade times too, they definitely climbed back up on the ERJ pretty much right after I upgraded. I made myself a deal that if I hadn't gotten it by my 3 year mark I'd take the other airplane. 2 years and 10 months... got the ERJ.

 

[Will3506]

Keep an eye on the upgrade times too, they definitely climbed back up on the ERJ pretty much right after I upgraded. I made myself a deal that if I hadn't gotten it by my 3 year mark I'd take the other airplane. 2 years and 10 months... got the ERJ.

I like that idea. Might just do that.