Regional help.

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Well that was fun. Does anyone have anyone have anything more advice on rah? Out of the three current offers I have seems like that might be the best bet unless something else presents itself soon.
 
dnov27 said:
Well that was fun. Does anyone have anyone have anything more advice on rah? Out of the three current offers I have seems like that might be the best bet unless something else presents itself soon.
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Friend of mine's kid started ERJ-170 class today at RAH. He's stoked about going from a 172 and Aztec to a jet with engines underneath the wings.
 
Proud Pilot said:
Friend of mine's kid started ERJ-170 class today at RAH. He's stoked about going from a 172 and Aztec to a jet with engines underneath the wings.
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I'm sure, the 28th is another 170 class, I've been looking at. I'm in the same boat coming from 172's and such.
 
BobDDuck said:
I am, but that has very little to do with anything. I don't feel duty bound to mitigate things. I was off property by the time they signed the agreement that has so many people bent out of shape. That said, my signature is in the contract that this deal modified so I'd say I have a pretty good understanding of how things worked out over there.

The fact that you've (across multiple threads) provided absolutely no evidence or reason as to why or how the PSA pilots stabbed their fellow FFD carrier pilots in the back or why exactly everybody should and will hate them into eternity coupled with the fact that you are parroting rumors about current day AAA/AWA jumpseat denials (that haven't happened in 5 years) makes me question your understanding of the facts, which is fine. However when you turn around and pass your opinion of something off as facts to new guys just entering the industry, I get got of frustrating. EXPLAIN what happened, explain why YOU think it's bad. Answer any questions THEY have and then move on. Don't tell them how it is though, when it may actually not be like that at all.

I'm not pointing fingers are you at all. Lots of people have made some very wrong assumptions about what happened and how it effected the W2 pay and quality of life of PSA pilots and the effect that had on other companies. All I've heard from the STW folks is "we stood together and they didn't" which really doesn't make much sense because if you look at the deal they actually got and actually understand the 10 year contract they were able to lock themselves in to, you'd probably want the same thing on whatever property you are at.

And you're right, we can't be sure of the future. But history shows pretty clearly that, unless you scab (and even then sometimes that doesn't matter either) nobody really cares or remembers where you worked 5 years down the road, especially once you get out of the high school like environment that the regionals have become.
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Here is a recent jumpseating fiasco just 4 months ago, it does go on so we can't call it old news. People have grudges and act on them.

http://www.airlinepilotinfo.com/news-for-march-7th-2014/
 
dnov27 said:
Well that was fun. Does anyone have anyone have anything more advice on rah? Out of the three current offers I have seems like that might be the best bet unless something else presents itself soon.
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I worked there for two years, my advice? Live in base, 7k bonus for the 170, 12k for the Q... Pay other than that sucks, 23k first yr FO, 30k second yr, (salary not including the bonuses). You can have a decent quality of life again, if you live in base. There's a lot of good people there, but I won't lie, the pilot v management relationship is highly toxic, and it does rub off on people. Probably a 4-7 year upgrade...
 
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HVYMETALDRVR said:
I worked there for two years, my advice? Live in base, 7k bonus for the 170, 12k for the Q... Pay other than that sucks, 23k first yr FO, 30k second yr, (salary not including the bonuses). You can have a decent quality of life again, if you live in base. There's a lot of good people there, but I won't lie, the pilot v management relationship is highly toxic, and it does rub off on people. Probably a 4-7 year upgrade...
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Thanks for the advice! Seems to be what the general consensus is! Do you know if republic or shuttle would be better?
 
No matter what you choose somebody's gonna be negative about it. Don't be surprised if people at wherever you go blames you for being "part of the problem"
 
dnov27 said:
Thanks for the advice! Seems to be what the general consensus is! Do you know if republic or shuttle would be better?
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If possible, try and first figure out which of the 3 airlines under the Republic umbrella is to go. The fact that 1 of the 3 is going is public knowledge, just don't know which one. It's unclear if it will be sold or shuttered.
 
dnov27 said:
Thanks for the advice! Seems to be what the general consensus is! Do you know if republic or shuttle would be better?
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S5 has Delta and United benefits, YX has AA/Airways. They share some common bases like IND, CMH, and ORD (again living in base). S5 does more "cooler" out west flying, YX is mostly east coast stuff. Pay for FOs is the same, I think they monthly credit is the same also. Republic flies the -175 which has more seats so it goes more senior on the CA side (FOs make the same regardless of the equipment they fly.)

That outlines the biggest differences AFAIK, I flew the -145 for CHQ though, so I'm sure and S5 or YX pilot could more detail the finer differences.
 
What prop sync said above is also true, but, there is one list so if you get displaced off of one cert or aircraft you'll hold your seniority where ever you go. RAH does have a bad habit though of opening and closing base very rapidly. If you get displaced out of a base your sent whereever at the needs of the company (probably one of our numerous NYC area bases). Bidding back to where you want can be painful.

I quit earlier this month, but one of the last company memos I saw said the announcement of which cert is going away will be posted before the end of the month. It's anyone's guess which bases they'll open and close over the next year?
 
I think the goings-on in this thread provide an opportunity for me to share some advice that has served me well in my regional career.

Remember that YOU are the driver of your career successes, and that YOU are responsible for your own happiness. Do your research (and I mean really research, don't just read Internet forums) and make your decision. Then, when you start with your airline, tune out all the bull hockey from the Internet and "les miserables" you share a crew room/cockpit with.

The only airline I wouldn't even bother considering is one where the recruiter says "Hey, we want you! So, yeah, our pilot group is totally out on strike. If you come to us, you'll be Insta-Captain and retain your high seniority when the strike is over!" In that case, run. Run like the wind.

Beyond that, consider quality of life factors.

-Will you have to move? One of the major reasons I picked my regional was that it would allow me to sit reserve at home, where I had cheap rent, friends, etc. I can't tell you what a difference that made compared to my (generally upbeat) friends who commuted to it. I spent a good while on reserve, too. It's never easy, but spending most nights in my own bed and putting (a little) money in the bank made a huge difference to me.

-How's the contract? This one is where you'll have to do the legwork. Just looking at pay rates doesn't give a complete picture of your compensation. Find out the minimum guarantee per month, and find out the per diem rates. Find out how many guaranteed days off per month you are obligated to have. Can those be moved (voluntarily or involuntarily?) How's the vacation, 401(k) contribution, etc? If a leg cancels, do you get paid for it? What about the whole trip? Do you make "block or better?" Is there some form of minimum day credit? How's the credit for deadheading, or working on your days off? These questions may be best answered by asking multiple people that work for a particular airline. Try to ask more than one person, otherwise you will get a biased response. And NEVER trust a pilot for Airline X's opinion about the contract of Airline Y. The grass is always "different" on the other side--sometimes beautiful and green, sometimes dusty and barren.

-What's the airline's future? This is perhaps the most difficult question to answer, because there's no way to really tell with a high degree of accuracy. The future seems to be moving away from 50-seat regional jets toward the larger ones, that seems clear at this point.

So, basically, do your research. Tune out the whiners and criers, of which there are many. Know that your fate is in your own hands. Don't worry so much about the name of the company you sign on with, IF it suits your needs. When I was a kid, a boy made fun of my generic tennis shoes because only "losers who are poor and shop at Walmart" wore them. Last I heard, that dude got arrested for breaking into a convenience store to steal some cigarettes.

Welcome to the industry! It's a great time to get in, no matter where you go, and you'll have fun. Best of luck to you!!
 
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