Regional cadet programs

[Rosstafari]

Any of you have an opinion, advice, or completely unrelated commentary on the cadet programs being run by the regionals the past couple years? Envoy’s is here if you want to take a look; the TLDR is they generally provide some degree of tuition reimbursement, some sort of training class seniority (e.g. picking your sim times), sometimes non rev benefits, mentorship, and probably a lanyard or mug or something. Skywest, and most AA WO’s (maybe all) run them too, and a few others I believe. No contracts, not to be confused with ab initio either.

Seems like they offer some minor benefits if you happen to pick the one you end up joining. I’m trying to figure out if I’m missing any downsides or things to be wary of.

 

[Jordan93]

One of the downsides is you’re signing a contract with them so you don’t really have a choice if you later on don’t want to work for them.

 

[Wardogg]

Republics version does not make you sign a contract. But as of now also does not pay any tuition. You interview and get a COE letter if approved.

 

[Drew88]

I signed with Mesa, yes even after looking at other regionals and listening to what they had to offer. I took the 10k and signed the contract but if I go somewhere else, I just pay back the 10k

 

[USMCmech]

Some of the programs are basically pre interviews and maybe include company benefits while you work for the school you were going to be at anyway. If you get a dream job flying a G500 and walk away from the airline gig, all you really lose is the opportunity to reapply for a while.

The programs that include signing bonuses and/or tuition reimbursement that you would have to repay are much more problematic.

 

[KVNC]

I'm in the SkyWest program. No contract. They fly you to SLC for an orientation and Q&A with their pilots. They give you an employee number for company seniority and better hire class seniority. A mentor pilot keeps tabs on you and your times in anticipation of meeting ATP mins. They prep you for an interview when you're within 3 months of mins. Overall I think it was worth doing. I guess I'll see when I get closer.

 

[Rosstafari]

For those that’ve done it (Drew, KVNC), why’d you pick the ones you went with?

 

[Maximilian_Jenius]

I'm in the SkyWest program. No contract. They fly you to SLC for an orientation and Q&A with their pilots. They give you an employee number for company seniority and better hire class seniority. A mentor pilot keeps tabs on you and your times in anticipation of meeting ATP mins. They prep you for an interview when you're within 3 months of mins. Overall I think it was worth doing. I guess I'll see when I get closer.

What flight school/college/university?

 

[tcco94]

I promise I'm not a company kool-aid man (despite my base location), but if you're ever considering SkyWest you absolutely need to do the cadet program. You have nothing to lose. A free trip to SLC, hire date for benefits, potential to be top 5 of your class based on seniority which is huge with classes in the 40's now. If you end up going to another regional, no harm no foul. Mail back the badge and nothing tied to your name.

It amazes me how many people don't do the program then complain half of the class is cadets and they're 30/34 in seniority in class with 4am sims in ATL (not sure if we go there anymore?). If you have the opportunity to do it, absolutely do it. Even if your school isn't on the list, apply. I saw numerous people at my cadet program from random schools who weren't on the list.

Just to give you an idea, 7 people in my class wanted SLC. I'm ahead of all those 7. Now with SLC shrinking my cadet date has given me a line for 7 of the last 8 months. If I didn't do the cadet program, I'd have been on reserve 6 of those 8 months. I also got all the bonuses of a 1 1/2 years pilot with only 2 months on property. It makes a difference.

If you never want to work for Skywest, then nevermind. I'm pretty sure every other program makes you sign a contract and your hands are tied. I would never suggest doing that while time building. 6 months could drastically change one carrier over the other. I'm pretty sure you don't get any seniority advantage either, just a guaranteed job. Which won't be a problem when you're done with your hours you will have the power to choose where you want to. Also, get the right facts on flow through times. I have friends telling me recruitment is spewing a lot of fake numbers just to get you in the door. Do your research outside of a recruiter to make a informed smart decision for whatever regional is the best fit for you. Don't sign the dotted line early because you have shiny jet syndrome. You could really hose yourself if that airline is a really bad fit for what you're looking for.

A lot of guys here at various regionals to give you real up to date information. Take it with a grain of salt too. What you hear today could be totally different by the time you're in training and on the line. Good luck.

 

[KaiGywer]

I promise I'm not a company kool-aid man (despite my base location), but if you're ever considering SkyWest you absolutely need to do the cadet program. You have nothing to lose. A free trip to SLC, hire date for benefits, potential to be top 5 of your class based on seniority which is huge with classes in the 40's now. If you end up going to another regional, no harm no foul. Mail back the badge and nothing tied to your name.

...

Do you get flight benefits while in the program?

 

[KVNC]

For those that’ve done it (Drew, KVNC), why’d you pick the ones you went with?

It was the only regional my school had an affiliation with. Honestly, I didn't know too much about them before I went. They have a lot bigger presence out west and only recently opened a base in ATL and soon LGA. You hear a lot more about the regionals offering $50/hr FO pay and $10K+ signing bonuses. I was impressed by their operation however, it wasn't only a sales pitch which I thought it would be. Their pilots were realistic and I got the sense it was a solid, stable operation.

What flight school/college/university?

Cirrus Aviation, SRQ

Do you get flight benefits while in the program?

No, flight benefits activate when you get to your class date. I think they said Alaska and United are immediate. Delta and American are two weeks or something like that. Like @tcco94 said, the main benefit is being higher in the hire class for bidding sims and base. Also, you get company bonuses earlier because you're technically an "employee" as a cadet. I am interested in the new ATL base being from FL which apparently is junior anyways. So if I can get that, I'll probably go with them down the road. Who knows? I'm still probably 8-10 months out from mins.

 

[Drew88]

For those that’ve done it (Drew, KVNC), why’d you pick the ones you went with?

I chose Mesa because of their bases, new fleet and I was honestly impressed more with how they've reshaped their airline (I know, negative stigma when you say Mesa). I feel like they are my best shot at getting PHX quicker than any other regional. They also have a brand new training facility a few minutes south of KPHX which was impressive. As a CFI cadet, we get flight benefits immediately on American which is nice. They also cut me a $10k check and had it overnighted to me. They're bringing in two new EJets every month which to me, shows the airline is going in the right direction. If anyone has any questions about Mesa's CFI program, shoot me a PM.

Edit: Forgot to mention you get an Employee Number/badge but it's not a seniority # and they just announced that you get a guaranteed interview with United (I know a few other regionals just announced this as well)

 

[GoDawgsGo]

I promise I'm not a company kool-aid man (despite my base location), but if you're ever considering SkyWest you absolutely need to do the cadet program. You have nothing to lose. A free trip to SLC, hire date for benefits, potential to be top 5 of your class based on seniority which is huge with classes in the 40's now. If you end up going to another regional, no harm no foul. Mail back the badge and nothing tied to your name.

It amazes me how many people don't do the program then complain half of the class is cadets and they're 30/34 in seniority in class with 4am sims in ATL (not sure if we go there anymore?). If you have the opportunity to do it, absolutely do it. Even if your school isn't on the list, apply. I saw numerous people at my cadet program from random schools who weren't on the list.

Just to give you an idea, 7 people in my class wanted SLC. I'm ahead of all those 7. Now with SLC shrinking my cadet date has given me a line for 7 of the last 8 months. If I didn't do the cadet program, I'd have been on reserve 6 of those 8 months. I also got all the bonuses of a 1 1/2 years pilot with only 2 months on property. It makes a difference.

If you never want to work for Skywest, then nevermind. I'm pretty sure every other program makes you sign a contract and your hands are tied. I would never suggest doing that while time building. 6 months could drastically change one carrier over the other. I'm pretty sure you don't get any seniority advantage either, just a guaranteed job. Which won't be a problem when you're done with your hours you will have the power to choose where you want to. Also, get the right facts on flow through times. I have friends telling me recruitment is spewing a lot of fake numbers just to get you in the door. Do your research outside of a recruiter to make a informed smart decision for whatever regional is the best fit for you. Don't sign the dotted line early because you have shiny jet syndrome. You could really hose yourself if that airline is a really bad fit for what you're looking for.

A lot of guys here at various regionals to give you real up to date information. Take it with a grain of salt too. What you hear today could be totally different by the time you're in training and on the line. Good luck.

Sounds great to me. Just looked at the requirements.

I'm finishing up commercial now. However, wasn't planning to do multi until after CFI and CFII to save some money since I'll get an employee rate on the multi time. Was also planning on doing multi and MEI together to save some time and money.

Do you think they'd accept me as a cadet without the multi so I can get an earlier hire date?

SLC base and fresh pow is my dream

 

[tcco94]

Do you get flight benefits while in the program?

No but when you come on board your seniority date for your flight benefits is again off your cadet date instead of class date. So my Delta and United benefits have a seniority date 1 year earlier.

 

[tcco94]

Sounds great to me. Just looked at the requirements.

I'm finishing up commercial now. However, wasn't planning to do multi until after CFI and CFII to save some money since I'll get an employee rate on the multi time. Was also planning on doing multi and MEI together to save some time and money.

Do you think they'd accept me as a cadet without the multi so I can get an earlier hire date?

SLC base and fresh pow is my dream

Probably, they seem to make a lot of exceptions now. As long as you're a CFI they should accept you. They never checked any of the requirements when I joined. They didn't even check the first class medical requirement either.

That's why I moved to SLC! Although my powder days were limited this year.

 

[GoDawgsGo]

Probably, they seem to make a lot of exceptions now. As long as you're a CFI they should accept you. They never checked any of the requirements when I joined. They didn't even check the first class medical requirement either.

That's why I moved to SLC! Although my powder days were limited this year.

Thanks. I'll apply as soon as I get the CFI done.

SLC seems perfect. Easy to make day trips and go back home. Denver the drives are a bit far to the resorts for reasonable day trips.

 

[mshunter]

Don't sign anything, don't take any bonus money, and wait until you're there to make a decision. This is just a way to try and limit you to not having a choice on where you want to go.

Just my $.02

 

[Whatusername]

Sounds great to me. Just looked at the requirements.

Do you think they'd accept me as a cadet without the multi so I can get an earlier hire date?

A lack of a multi-ticket is not a deal breaker. I’m in their program and I don’t have a multi (yet...) nor do I have a passport or radio operatior’s license.

 

[brigadeaviator]

I chose Mesa because of their bases, new fleet and I was honestly impressed more with how they've reshaped their airline (I know, negative stigma when you say Mesa). I feel like they are my best shot at getting PHX quicker than any other regional. They also have a brand new training facility a few minutes south of KPHX which was impressive. As a CFI cadet, we get flight benefits immediately on American which is nice. They also cut me a $10k check and had it overnighted to me. They're bringing in two new EJets every month which to me, shows the airline is going in the right direction. If anyone has any questions about Mesa's CFI program, shoot me a PM.

Edit: Forgot to mention you get an Employee Number/badge but it's not a seniority # and they just announced that you get a guaranteed interview with United (I know a few other regionals just announced this as well)

Not necessarily a guaranteed interview with United. There’s a bunch of requirements you have to meet first. I’ll believe it more when we actually see people move through the new United CPP.

 

[GoDawgsGo]

A lack of a multi-ticket is not a deal breaker. I’m in their program and I don’t have a multi (yet...) nor do I have a passport or radio operatior’s license.

How long have you been in the program and what are your thoughts and observations so far? Other than the hire date which is obviously huge, what are some other benefits?