Did I miss the boat? Best Regionals

[Hollywood82]

I have wanted to go to the airlines for years now, but couldn't afford it. Just paid off all my student loans, and really don't think I'll be happy at a 135 company for the rest of my life. Don't get me wrong, there are a few good things about 135 jet flying, but it's still not what I want.

Have I waited too long to get a job at a GOOD regional, or is this slowing of hiring only temporary (2-3 months)?

What's the outlook for:
Republic
Compass
SkyWest
Air Wisconsin
Horizon

I'm well above any hiring minimums posted, 3700TT, ATP, 2 types, but no 121 experience.

Please keep your comments constructive.
Thankyou

 

[MarineGrunt]

I'd say Republic or SkyWest. I'd recommend NetJets before either tho....

 

[johnsonrod]

Go fly E170s at Republic/Shuttle America/CHQ or Compass. None of those airlines you listed will pay great, but I think you'll enjoy the E170 (that's what my friends say who fly it). Compass could be questionable because you never know what will happen with NWA in the merger - you may get a down flow of furloughed NWA pilots (you never know). I'd therefore target Republic/SA/CHQ. Good luck.

 

[Hollywood82]

I put my stuff in with Republic on Thursday. I"ve been reading alot of things on here suggesting that they are not hiring for a while. How long does it take for a regional to call after filling out the online app?

Sorry for the dumb question, but this is all new to me, I've gotten every job I've ever had without applying. The 135 world is alot different.

 

[Raskal]

I feel your pain...I made a similar jump. I was lucky enough to come into a captain position, but that window seems to have closed.

As for which, I have no idea-I'm very happy at Mesaba, but with the merger in the works who knows what's next? It's all a roll of the dice. Just go for base now rather than company I supose, within reason.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

I'd say Republic or SkyWest. I'd recommend NetJets before either tho....

I second that.

Any other comments would be less then constructive.

 

[MCOE175]

RP/SA/CHQ are still hiring strong... The reason people are being put into a hiring pool is that we can't train people fast enough. From what the rumors are, we are hiring another 700-1000 this year. This is a really good company to work for except some of the contract BS...
I think we will make it through the mergers fine... who knows though.

 

[Hollywood82]

Well that is good news. I put my stuff in with them a few days ago. They are high on my list. How long till I should hear something.... days, weeks, months? Do I dare bother HR with a question like that?

Thanks for all the great input everyone.

 

[Morettis]

Why would you go to a regional? Do you not have any Turbine PIC?

 

[Hovernut]

With your time and ATP, I might consider Allegiant if you meet their mins.

 

[Hollywood82]

I have about 1600PIC turbine. I just don't know if anything but the regional are gonna be hiring after the market has been flooded with a bunch ex ATA, Skybus, Champion, and Aloha pilots. I think all of the majors are spoken for by people with 121 experience. All of my experience is 135.

 

[DAS at 10/250]

I think you're setting your sights way too low. Regionals are for 250 hour wonders with no other prospects.

You've got a lot of time and good TPIC. Try NetJets, FlexJet, or Citation Shares on the frac side of the house.

Virgin, Allegiant, Atlas, or SWA on the 121 side.

Times are a little tough right now but not so much that I'd sell my soul to a regional for $19/hour. You have to be making triple or better in the 135 world. Why do you want to leave? Keep in mind that there is a reason why 121 pilots are leaving legacy carriers to come to NJA.

 

[landlover]

I have about 1600PIC turbine. I just don't know if anything but the regional are gonna be hiring after the market has been flooded with a bunch ex ATA, Skybus, Champion, and Aloha pilots. I think all of the majors are spoken for by people with 121 experience. All of my experience is 135.

what if i win the lotto?? i wont know unless i buy a ticket. just apply everywhere that you'd want to work and see what happens.

 

[thepotato232]

The mood at RAH right now is still cautiously optimistic. FlightSafety was just flat-out overwhelmed with all of the 170 stuff, and they needed this breather to put a ton of captain upgrades through (if you've got two hours to kill, try asking one of them about bypass pay). A lot of people in your situation really just need the 121 experience on the resume before they can move on to bigger and better things, and there are worse places than Republic to sit out an industry slowdown. The 700-1000 pilots idea for this year is more or less out the window, but they're still putting plenty of classes together. If (and ONLY if) NetJets isn't calling you, I'd pursue RAH or SKW pretty hard - mainly depending on where you would like to live. With that kind of experience behind you, you're overqualified for either job. ATA and Aloha pilots aren't really knocking the doors down over at the regional hiring departments...

Go fly E170s at Republic/Shuttle America/CHQ or Compass. None of those airlines you listed will pay great, but I think you'll enjoy the E170 (that's what my friends say who fly it).

The 170's a neat toy, but I'm sure you know better than to base your choice on whoever happens to be flying the shiniest RJs.

 

[Flyer1015]

Go fly E170s at Republic/Shuttle America/CHQ or Compass.

Right, and if they offer you the CRJ/ERJ, tell them you're "too good to fly a 50 seat RJ" and that you are "only interested in flying the 76 seat RJ that looks like a mini-737."

You're a shoe-in at that point!

 

[Future Furlough]

Best regional = oxymoron .

 

[HighFlyer5532]

What about looking at some Part 91 jobs? You seem to be pretty good at networking...I know Chevron, Motorola, and HSBC are just some of the few that I know are looking for pilots!!

 

[Ameriagle]

With your types and TPIC you would be competitive at Allegiant. We have hired quite a few from the 135 world.

 

[BlackPilot628]

Republic has slowed down their hiring process just a little. As stated above, Flight Safety is over whelmed with Training. To date they have trained about 260 new hires so far. It looks like they will slow down New Hire classes this summer to get upgrades through. New hire classes should start back strong around Aug. 1000 seems doubtful right now, I think 500-600 this year would be more like it.
As far as the bypass.... I was one 8 months!

Good Luck.

 

[DrewBlows]

Where do you live? Commuting sucks!