srjorion said:
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.
