East Coast Regionals

[srjorion]

I'm a military pilot getting ready to move over to the civilian side. I'm looking into the regional airlines that are out there and seeing what my options are. I want to stay East coast if possible due to a military reserve job I have lined up.

My question is what regionals have bases that are in the Eastern half of the
U. S.? I know about ASA, Comair, ExpressJet, and Chautauqua. What other regionals are out there that I'm overlooking? Any opinions on the ones I have listed or others? My first priority is upgrade time, but I am also looking at commutability, specifically from the Pensacola area. Any info is much appreciated.

srj

 

[ILStoMinimums]

You've also got PSA, Allegheny, Colgan and Skyway. I'd probably choose all the ones you listed before the ones I listed, based on what I've researched.

AWAC is a good place from what I've heard and ACA (Independence Air) might be good once they put all their guys back on-line!

 

[cocknbull]

Trans States Airlines has a base in Richmond, VA.

 

[dudemize]

Don't overlook flying for the reserves full time. Not sure about Navy reserve units, but most of the Air Force heavy lift reserve units will keep you as busy as you want to be. Most are offering active duty orders for those that want it. I'm guessing your Navy but there are several guys in my unit that have transferred over from the Marines and Army.

 

[CitationLover]

air midwest has a beech domicile in Tampa, Panama City, and Key West. those should not be that bad of commutes to Pensacola. we used to have new orleans and shreveport as domiciles but they have closed.

upgrades in the beech are slowing down and are around 1yr right now. it's all dependent on the mesa side.

american eagle has san juan and miami (i think) as domiciles. upgrade time there has been high however i think it is starting to fall with all the hiring going on. flowbacks from aa have limited it from coming down further.

chautauqua has Orlando as a domicile and a fairly quick upgrade (around 2 years) in the ERJ.

those are the only regionals i can think of with florida domiciles, other than the pft'ers (Gulfstream, TAB).

i know besides us (AMW), i have seen us air mainline, nw (mesaba and pinnacle), co-express, delta, and air tran at PNS. there are plenty of viable commuting options from there.

good luck.

 

[chperplt]

With your experience, why are you limiting yourself to regionals? Why not apply to AirTran, SW and Jetblue?

 

[dondk]

I'm a military pilot getting ready to move over to the civilian side. I'm looking into the regional airlines that are out there and seeing what my options are. I want to stay East coast if possible due to a military reserve job I have lined up.

My question is what regionals have bases that are in the Eastern half of the
U. S.? I know about ASA, Comair, ExpressJet, and Chautauqua. What other regionals are out there that I'm overlooking? Any opinions on the ones I have listed or others? My first priority is upgrade time, but I am also looking at commutability, specifically from the Pensacola area. Any info is much appreciated.

srj

First problem.. your looking to commute out of Florida.. Good luck! Florida (other than LAS of HNL) is one of the toughest locations to commute from. Second, your looking at a regional, so pick a regional that actually operates from PNS, therfore you at least have a step up on the competition as you will have some form of priority. It would suck to pick an regional that you would be the "offline" jumpseater (lowest priority) on all the carriers that operate out of PNS.

Second problem.. Upgrade.. currently those with the shortest upgrade times are those with prop's.. 1900's, J32... Most Jet upgrades are going to start at 2 years or better and that is for the people hired right now (maybe with the exception of PSA and TSA).

Solution.. You may not like the answer.. Pick a regional you can "live" with, get on-board and find a way to get yourself activated. Therefore you will hold seniority, make more money with your activation and come back to the regional when your seniority can hold Captain regardless when that may be.

If you already have that "in" at that major, but need that PIC, then your going to have to come to the realization your going to have to work for one of the lower end T-prop regionals for a good year or more and commuting will not be a viable option.

I got to add this.. your comment of your first priority is "upgrade time".. Hate to mention this.. it is everyone's priority.. Second.. unless you have that favor from a person (that Chief Pilot of your preferred airline) who owes you big time.. take a good look.. not too many are hiring, and those who are.. have applications and resumes to cover any hiring 10 times over.

Pinnacle does operate to PNS, even if you were hired today by us... your competition for the one J/S would be fierce, upgrade would be at least 2 1/2 years, and based on your TT.. You would need at least a 18 months before you would have the time to upgrade. That is assuming to.. that our growth/attrition would continue for another 18 months. Keep that in mind when you are looking at your choices of regionals. Who will still be growing or having attrition to get you to upgrade in a reasonable amount of time.

 

[chperplt]

Florida (other than LAS of HNL) is one of the toughest locations to commute from.

I've been commuting out of LAS for 3 years.. I've never missed the 1st flight I've tried to get on.. Not a bad commuting location at all..

 

[srjorion]

Thanks

Thanks for all of the replies. Lots of good information.

chperplt, the apps are in with SW and JB. I don't meet the mins for Airtran unfortunately. I'm hoping I'll get on with SW or JB, but looking at all of my options knowing I might not get the call.

Thanks again everyone for the helpful info.

 

[Mongolikecandy]

I've been commuting out of LAS for 3 years.. I've never missed the 1st flight I've tried to get on.. Not a bad commuting location at all..

I commute out of Orlando and have never missed a flight. (proverbial knock on wood)