Best Regional

[LJPILOTLOOKING]

Okay Everyone,

This is not intended for flame bait... Who would you all consider the best and most stable regional to work for... Any info, links or helpful info would be appreciated... Looking for pay info, upgrade, equipment and domicile info...

Thanks

 

[7B2]

Are you by any chance looking for a job?

 

[rvsm410]

How many times is this question.....

Not to be rude, but please do a search on this queston, it has had polls and all kinds of long answers..

do some home work, and you will find alot of what you are looking for.......

 

[BRA]

Colgan Air is pretty good.

 

[othello]

I agree do a search this is a topic that has been run through the washer many times.

I will say this, There is no 1 best regional for every pilot. It depends on where you live, where you want to live. How much Time you have. What your future goals are. Many will say it is more importaint to upgrade quickly than work for a company with good work rules an good FO pay? Others will combat that with you may get stuck as an FO for 4-5 years you never can tell. When I interviewed I was told 2 yrs and I ll be a captian I have been here over 3yrs and I am still an FO on Reserve.

Give a few more details of your situation and I bet you will get good imput on what might be the best regional for you.

 

[RIDETHELIGHTING]

none

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Here is my current list:

The top:
1-Horizon (100% owned by Alaska)
2-Comair
3/4- SkyWest/Air WI

There are a bunch that are in the middle

The bottom:
Next/Next to last-The 1900 operators (except Chicago Express-they're in the middle)
Next to last-Skyway (due to the major instability of Midwest Airlines-they are 100% owned by them and code-share with them)
Last- Great Lakes

 

[propjockey]

As I and others have said in other posts, most people who rip on Lakes have never worked there, and are only repeating rumors and misinformation they've heard from "someone-who-knows someone."

I got my start at Great Lakes, and got valuable 121 turbine, multi, crew experience. I was hired with low time. The day I hit 1500 hrs TT, my upgrade paperwork went in, and I was awarded the next class (less than a month later). The pilot group is great. Working there is like joining a fraternity (in more ways than one). You will make lifelong friends there and have connections all over the place because it is such a tight "band of brothers."

Since Raytheon took control over a major percentage of the company, things have been stabilizing and generally improving, and a lot of Voss' shenanigans have apparently been brought under control. In the past, Lakes has often been a "money loser" only due to the magic of accounting.

No one intends to make a career out of Lakes. You go there, do your time, and get a better job -- just like me and a bunch of other people. It depends on what you want out of a regional job. If pay is all you care about, don't go to Lakes -- but for many reasons, I don't think it should rank dead last on anyone's list.

 

[vclean]

Chicago Express never used 1900s. They currently operate Saabs, having started with JetStreams

 

[LJPILOTLOOKING]

Thanks

I appreciate you all taking the time to give your input. My situation is this... Looking for a solid regional that flys into Baton Rouge. My family lives there and moving is not an option... As you all know, one leg commutes are easier than two...

I have 121 experience both regional and major, but now furloughed. Military - helo background, flown turbo props, RJ's and narrow bodies... Current job Lear 31 - 35 captain, corporate, not in Louisiana. Looking to move closer to kids...

Everyone understand now ????


Thanks Again for all of your help...

 

[Q200_FO]

Hi!

Here is my current list:

The top:
1-Horizon (100% owned by Alaska)

I think somebody already told you this once, Alaska does not own Horizon. Both Alaska and Horizon are owned by a holding company called Alaska Air Group. It's be nice though, we'd get to bid the 737 intead of going through another interview. And we just might get to do that if the bid through proposal goes through.

 

[greenpickle]

what?

atpcliff - have you not seen the posts for Skyway? Yeh nothing is official yet but it is very much starting to walk and talk like a duck so....

Furthermore I wouldnt think Midwest as having "major instability" when compared to the mainline or parent companies of your higher choices. Some of them lose more in a day than Midwest does in a QRTR.

In my biased opinion I think Skyway would be number one on the list. It is a small enough place that you dont get lost in the system yet it is big and aggressive enough to very likely seal a deal that will have us double in size in just over a year. Who else has that going for them right now?

I also agree with propjockey. I have never worked at Lakes but many of our pilots have and they all have this bond. I swear they even got a secret handshake or something. That kind of pilot group can also be found at Skyway.

Just my .02

PS. Quack Quack

 

[Saabslime]

Mesaba is currently hiring. Have a base in MEM and fly to Baton Rouge La. Good company should be getting even better in the near future.

 

[amcnd]

Eagle is allright. Very stable, other then our fate is soley tied to AA, 8 pilot bases. No fear of going through a strike for another 10 years. It's funny people will complain about Eagle's long upgrade 4-5 years but will also put horizon on top. (5+ year upgrade) But I would agree in no order the top 5 are Horizon,SkyWest,Eagle,Air Wi,ASA

Eagle flys and has overnight in BTR. Easy commute to DFW.

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

We have a lot of pilots in BTR that commute to IAH. Short flight plus there is LFT and MSY down the road that could be used as back ups. Plus I think we are just about as stable as you can get. Oh yeah, I am talking about ExpressJet (Continental Express).

Frats,

 

[boxjockey]

I just finished the training here at ExpressJet. Everyone has been wonderful to work with, and so far I don't have anything negative to say. Contract issues aside, seems like a great place to work for a long time. Also hiring lots of pilots through this year.

box

 

[LJPILOTLOOKING]

Thanks Again !!!

I again, appreciate all of the input... I have been out of the loop for a while...

Very interested in Mesaba and Express Jets... Dont know anyone at Mesaba, but have a buddy at Express Jets... Cant consider Eagle because Im on the AA seniority list.... Im at the bottom, so might not ever get back... Do have 1000 plus hours on the EMB145.... Might help at express jets....

My folks fly express jets and mesaba quite frequently and have had nothing but great things to say.... Any predicted hiring next year ? Kinda deployed right now.....

Thanks again !!!!

 

[Capt. Caucasian]

Re: Thanks Again !!!

have a buddy at Express Jets...

I already PM'd you but please stop pluralizing EXPRESSJET. The name of the airline is technically ExpressJet Airlines.

Have a nice day

 

[boxjockey]

I would say Express will have to hire several next year just to match aircraft deliveries, not to mention turnover.

box

 

[atpcliff]

Hi!

Skyway:
I posted that before I found out about their probably codeshare with UAL. It will definitely help their stability.

However, I believe MidEx is in bad shape. I really wanted to fly for them, but I don't think it's a viable option now. I just helped a guy who was on furlough there with his interview at TSA.

From what I've heard, Skyway has good training and is well run-the only reason I ranked them low is their Midex instability situation.

Cliff
DTW

 

[LJPILOTLOOKING]

Sorry

Capt Caucasion,

Thanks for the PM.... ExpressJet Airlines, it is.... Used to the old name... Continental Express !

Thanks

 

[LearLove]

LJPILOTLOOKING,

If your furloughed AA then why didn't you take a job at Eagle? I thought all AA furloughed guys were offered jobs Eagle. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Why is it that you can't consider them, am I missing something here?

 

[ILStoMinimums]

LJPILOTLOOKING,

If your furloughed AA then why didn't you take a job at Eagle? I thought all AA furloughed guys were offered jobs Eagle. Please correct me if I'm wrong. Why is it that you can't consider them, am I missing something here?

And isn't that left seat?

 

[LJPILOTLOOKING]

Valid Question !!!!!

Hello Again,

Very valid question gentlemen.... I will make this as brief as possible to avoid any argument.

To my knowledge, there are over 2,000 AA pilots on furlough. The ability to flow back as Eagle RJ Captain is possible, but only applies to those furloughed after May 2003.... I was furloughed very soon after 911, former TWA step child

There is grumbling between the Eagle and AA MEC's on this issue.... Unfortunate, I would say....

 

[bayoubandit]

Check you PM's again.

You know furloughed AA are supposed to get preferential interviews at Eagle, or has that changed too?