Pinnacle or Eagle

[Roadblock]

I don't want this to turn into a long debate 20 pages long, just the quick pro's and con's of each. I have offers from both, but Pinnacle is pushing for an 4/11 class date. I don't expect either of these to be more than a 3-4 year gig anyway. I am leaning towards Pinnacle for the "quicker" upgrade to get the PIC time and then move on to a better job, all the while Eagle is displacing Captains. I also have my stuff in with Expressjet and CHQ, but I don't have an interview date yet, just waiting. Thanks for the advice.

 

[CapnVegetto]

Go to Peenuckle. At least you'll be in the left seat a LOT faster there. At Eagle, you'll have to wait 6 years or probably longer for a Saab Captain spot. Eagle is a better company, with better treatment, but I wouldn't want to spend a career at a regional unless I had no choice, and Eagle is a career place. Due to AA flowbacks, they pretty much have no turnover. Right seat forever there. You'll never get that magic 1000 PIC.

 

[Flybet3]

I would personaly say Neither....eventhough pinchnickle had faster upgrades once they get the last airplane here pretty soon they are going to become like Eagle. Northwest is not giving pinnacle anymore airplanes, you're gonna go in and be at the bottom of the list and trust me upgrades are going to freeze hard at pinchnickle. This one sure is a tough one, good luck and I hope you dont have to chose either. Just my 2 cents

 

[pilotkppsg]

Well, now that Pinnacle is supposedly done with the Gulfstream Academy thing, I guess flight info.com will have to find something else to b!tch about @ Pinnalce.

 

[Flybet3]

Well, now that Pinnacle is supposedly done with the Gulfstream Academy thing, I guess flight info.com will have to find something else to b!tch about @ Pinnalce.

Really?? is there a reason why? just wondering....

 

[pilotkppsg]

Why they're done w/ GIA? Well, all I know is what my crashpadders say, i'm still stuck in a friggin' Arrow all day. But what they say is that they're requiring all new incoming guys to have a 1000 and 200 multi. Gulfstream or not. So, that leaves to the imagination why, I figured it's their reaction to the recent accidents/incidents, the FAA's scrutinious eye fixed on them or some other circumstance not yet known. What I do know is that is would really suck to be down there right now, 30 g's in the hole and no job at the end of the tunnel...Yikes!

 

[Boris Badenov]

Yeah my heart bleeds for those at GIA. You made your bed, lie in it.

 

[dondk]

I cannot speak about Eagle, but I can speak about Pinnacle...

We do have about 15 or so jets still to be delivered. With that in mind that it is about 60 or so Captains. Attrition these days have been picking up, about 4-6 Captains have been leaving each month since before the turn of the year. That should continue for several more months. NWA has planned quite a bit more flying for us over the summer, so we will be short captains (we are already hurting badly).

The latest vacancy for Aug has 24 CA slots, maybe 1 or 2 more "larger" vacancy's then for the remainder of the year there will be 6-8 CA's a month.

The upgrade requirements are 3000TT with 500 in company time (and ME and turbine requirements met with up to 500 hours in company) or 3500TT with 2000 ME, 1000 Turbine.

An April 11 class would net an approximate mid June date to the line. That would be past the current vacancy date unless you had the CA min's now.

You would only be eligible to bid on a later vacancy once you have met the min's. June date to the line, and if you have 2500TT.. you would need about 5-6 months more time before being able to bid for the left seat. I doubt, barring any new jets that you will be able to upgrade in 5-6 months from now.

It is true that a good deal of our pilot group are well below the CA min's, but in 5-6 months more and more will be getting closer. The only thing I could say, is a June date to the line would mean maybe 1-2 months of reserve (depending on domicile) for a new FO. When the last class of FO's (approx aug) happens you should have about 200-300 behind you.

If you only have the two offers presently, I would look at intial domicile and choose from there. Both companies are going to be similar intially.

Do note the following:
We are in section 6 at this time.
We are anticipating a new certificate and the crystal ball "may" have more flying/growth somewhere in the future. I would not base a decision on this, nor would I base a decision on what the kool aid team in Memphis HR are telling you. Even IF that was to happen, it is still a long way down the road.
Take that from one of the guys hired with the promise (from the kool aid team) of upgrade in less than 8 months (in '01).. For the record it took 3 years...

 

[goathead]

I don't expect either of these to be more than a 3-4 year gig anyway.

Good luck with that. Or do you mean you'll be getting out of flying in 3-4 years? In which case, I'd say that's realistic.

 

[rattler]

Good luck with that. Or do you mean you'll be getting out of flying in 3-4 years? In which case, I'd say that's realistic.

Sad, but very true. I think I said something similar to that 5 years ago. See it worked for me.

 

[Simon Says]

Sad, but very true. I think I said something similar to that 5 years ago. See it worked for me.

I know....I said the same thing too. And that was six years ago. I laughed when I read "I will only be doing it for 3-4 years" Then United might call.

Or I just need 1000 hours turbine PIC. Then I could just slide over to Fed Ex.

Hey bud....1000 hours just lets you apply to the stinkin job. To be competitve for the job, well lets just say you might need a little bit more time.

LOL

 

[FN FAL]

I don't want this to turn into a long debate 20 pages long, just the quick pro's and con's of each. I have offers from both, but Pinnacle is pushing for an 4/11 class date. I don't expect either of these to be more than a 3-4 year gig anyway. I am leaning towards Pinnacle for the "quicker" upgrade to get the PIC time and then move on to a better job, all the while Eagle is displacing Captains. I also have my stuff in with Expressjet and CHQ, but I don't have an interview date yet, just waiting. Thanks for the advice.

It's good to see nothing has changed, people willing to sell out on QOL for the promise of a quick upgrade. Have a nice life.

 

[belchfire]

(deleted due to blatent negative ranting about
AMR).