Looking for Free Advice... Which Regional Would You Join?

[N7167L]

I wanted to ask a question to any Regional Pilots out there...

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As a new-hire, and knowing you had to commute from the Dallas, TX area, what Regional airline would offer the "easiest" or "shortest" commute to the Jr. base, while sitting reserve?

(I know Eagle is "local", but they are currently not hiring, and will probably furlough to bottom 200+ pilots, from what I was told)
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Thank you for your honest advise!

 

[Propsync]

None of them. Take for instance United. Once they get done (or somewhere in the process) parking 90 airframes, whose next? Anyone flying 50 seats for United. I don't know how many RJ's will get cut for 90 mainline, but I can see around 100. United is an interchangeable word. It will be all legacy and some national carriers. It really will be the regionals that take the next turn in the barrel. Save yourself the trouble and do something outside aviation for awhile. Or, get hired somewhere you want to live, get furloughed from, and be able to do something else for a good while.

 

[Pattern-Master]

I think you missed the train on the regional hiring boom. I would look at some corporate or charter companies around Dallas and aviod the airlines right now. I just left the regionals and found a descent corporate gig locally and my quality of life and pay almost doubled from what I had commuting to a regional. If you do your research you can find good operators out there that treat there employees like human beings. Good Luck!

 

[Flip]

I agree with avoiding the regionals, but to be honest, with so many qualified pilots getting ready to hit the streets, it will be tough(er) finding a good gig.

 

[Crash Pad]

Mesa Sucks!

 

[NuGuy]

None. Go back to school and get a law degree. Specialize in bankruptcy law so you always get paid first.

Nu

 

[Flyby1206]

If you have to go to a regional right now I would go to SKYW or Republic. I dont know for sure the hiring status currently, but last I knew SKYW was still taking people.

 

[johnsonrod]

If you have to go to a regional right now I would go to SKYW or Republic. I dont know for sure the hiring status currently, but last I knew SKYW was still taking people.

I agree - Republic or Skywest if they are still hiring. Those are positioned pretty well. Republic's E170s will be very popular given the oil situation (more seats to spread costs).

Good luck

 

[Salukipilot4590]

Mesa Sucks!

Ditto

 

[atlcrashpad]

Don't do it! get an edumucation an a reel job...... aerolines is jus two much a headaches ta be worff it........
Best of luck..... bouyyyyyyyyy......

 

[dispatchguy]

Don't do it! get an edumucation an a reel job...... aerolines is jus two much a headaches ta be worff it........
Best of luck..... bouyyyyyyyyy......

What he said - get a haircut, and get a real job.

Me, I'm too stupid to get a real job, hence, I dispatch planes

 

[imisscorplife]

SKYW is still hiring, will have classes starting soon (I believe in August). Probably from a pool tho

 

[BoilerUP]

2300 hours?

Get 200 more and apply to Flexjet and NetJets and Avantair...

 

[time builder]

Ameriflight has a Dallas Base if cargo is an option. Then again, they might not be hiring right now either.

 

[Poahi]

What he said - get a haircut, and get a real job.

Me, I'm too stupid to get a real job, hence, I dispatch planes

Well said. Get a college degree first. If the airline industry still exists when you're done, press on.

 

[Captain Morgan]

Ameriflight has a Dallas Base if cargo is an option. Then again, they might not be hiring right now either.

I just checked the job openings section on Ameriflights web page and there is nothing posted at all. I don't know if the page isn't working, being updated, or if there is nothing. Good luck!

 

[kommutrdog]

Stay out of aviation.

Two words:

Peak Oil. Google "Matthew Simmons". He has forgotten more about the oil industry than most will ever know. He's also an oil investment banker, not some "end-of-the-world" nut.

Stay out of flying. Period. It's a dead end.

 

[white knuckle]

As stated above, avoid the regionals at this time. Keep building time and finish your degree. This will open many doors in the future. Best of luck to you and keep on truckin.

 

[CALRepublic]

Everyone says avoid the regionals, easier said than done. With your experience level unlikely you'll get a good coporate job. You might get a corporate gig, but it'll be flying a prop or something small, probably fly 200-300 hours a year. Not the best way to build time, unfortunately the regionals are a neccessary evil, 1000 jet hours/year. The reginal job SUCKS, but there's no way around it.

Go to a regional, suck it up like most of us did, get some jet time, and then start looking for that kick ass corporate gig. Wanna fly Coca cola's G-V or McDonald's Global Express, you'll need 6000 TT hrs just to have a shot. Unfortunately companies like that want lots of int'l time, the regionals don't offer any.

 

[BoilerUP]

Everyone says avoid the regionals, easier said than done. With your experience level unlikely you'll get a good coporate job. You might get a corporate gig, but it'll be flying a prop or something small, probably fly 200-300 hours a year. Not the best way to build time, unfortunately the regionals are a neccessary evil, 1000 jet hours/year. The reginal job SUCKS, but there's no way around it.

Go to a regional, suck it up like most of us did, get some jet time, and then start looking for that kick ass corporate gig. Wanna fly Coca cola's G-V or McDonald's Global Express, you'll need 6000 TT hrs just to have a shot. Unfortunately companies like that want lots of int'l time, the regionals don't offer any.

I'd say one's odds of getting hired on at a good to excellent corporate job (widebody international bizjet notwithstanding) are directly related to 1. networking and 2. previous corporate experience instead of sheer total flight time.

There are more than a few ADMs and CPs biased against airline pilots in general and regional pilots specifically for a perceived lack of professionalism, skills and experience. Besides, career corporate pilots know they fly half or fewer hours annually compared to their airline counterparts...