Regional ----> EJA

[StaySeated]

If anyone has left a regional, furloughed or not, and went to EJA I would like to hear what you think about it so far. Especially if you have been there a year or so and the woody has worn off. I am curious about the workload comparison, pay, and schedule quality of life. I have read all about the food, so please no more pastrami on rye posts. Thanks for the info.

 

[jppt2000]

Left ASA about 16 months ago,
It takes a little getting used to, but the type of flying here is totally different than flying for a Commuter-Regional.
A lot of pilots I have met in Airport Terminals are very misinformed about the type of flying we do.
I feel, they are missing out on getting valuable experience.
At a fractional the flight crew is responsible for much more than just getting from point A to B.
I tell new pilots that their job starts after the engines are shut down and the door opens.
Don't take me wrong, the pilots that I flew with at ASA and I'm sure at other regionals, are very underpaid and do as good as a job as their "major" counterparts.

 

[infoman]

The shine still glows at EJA after 5+ years. My previous employer was Eagle. I put 3 years in that place, and I won't preach too the choir about that place. EJA is not all shine it is a job.
Do I like it ? Yes.
Do I plan on staying ? Yes.
Is the job perfect? No.
The simple fact is I like too go to work when they call with my brief. I am also in a good mood when I go home after a trip. I call this my "Happy Factor" rating. If you have more specific questions on comparing the two life styles. I will be try too present facts so you can make a informed decision.
Good Luck.

 

[SFR]

What is so great about it??? 7on/7off?? The coin is not that much better. Plus no flight benefits...

 

[English]

SFR,

The coin is twice as much to start, then goes up significantly higher than regional captain wages...flight benefits are no good if you can't afford to go anywhere...

 

[niteflyr]

flight benefits

Flight benefits are actually great, you can rack up a bunch of miles being airlined from your gateway and back 3 times a month. You also get a lot of hotel points which can even be used toward airline miles or free hotel stays. It all comes out to free vacations (positive space on top of it all.) Standby flight benefits have always left a lot to be desired in my book. And then you actually have a full 7 days off to take a vacation.

 

[infoman]

The quetion you ask are specific. I will answer them the best
I can.
*First , I do like the 7/7 better than 4/3 or 2/2 . I held a line my first 2 years at Eagle. I was on reserve as a junior Cpt the last year.
*Second , I made more money than I did at Eagle. Day one.
*Third, I don't have travel benies. I was willing too give those up. That was my personal choice. They are nice.

The reason I have started to post on this board is to give out info . The choice will have to be yours if EJA,ASA,or American are your next stops.
Hope this helps.

 

[infoman]

JP11

I was based LAX than DFW. I was old "ww" when they were 4.

I know you didn't ask ,but here are some things on the interview that I have been hearing, and no ,I do not interview. I am just a line pilot.
The most important thing is attitude. The company is looking for people who's flying and safety are the given. The unknown is your ability to solve day to day problems as they arrise. These problems can be as simple as your willingness to clean the plane after a leg ,or to informing the client we cannot launch out of ASE (Aspen) because it is below company mins.
How will the company know this with the interview? They will want to hear you say you will find a solution to the problem. The answer on the simple problem. Do it yourself.
The more complex problem .The company will be more directly in the loop to creating options for the client. That being the key phrase "options for the client". You as on site rep can make suggestion as to the most likely successful option.
The ASE (Aspen) is complicated so my guess is they would not ask that example.
There are some basic Jepp question. I don't know what ,but with your Eagle experience it should not be a problem. Briefing a approach will bring out most questions.
Good Luck.

 

[SFR]

First of all, you can't compare Eagle to EJA. Eagle has slow upgrades and low pay. I left Eagle for ASA and it is sad to say that as a secong year captain I make the same as the guys that I use to fly with in ORD. It took them 8 years to break the 40-50K mark. At ASA it took 6 months.

As far as ASA vs. EJA, I can say that I make the same as my friends there that are 2nd year captains. I am home about 20-21 nights per month.

As far as flight benefits, I have never (knock on wood) not been able to get to a vacations spot using my Delta benefits. I have gotten bumped, but I have always gotten there. That was the same for me at Eagle using the AMR passes too!

Say and do what you wish.... You only live once. All I am saying is that I think life at ASA is better then the fracs. Most of the frac pilots are still in the early 90s mentallity thinking that the typical Brasilia captain paid for training and gets paid $30 per hour. Sorry folks, that is not how it is.

 

[ATLdude]

ASA or a fractional ?

I am currently unemployed and I have a job offer from EJA which is great. Got the call from ASA (I was in there hiring pool) a week ago which is great as well.

I am trying to figure out what the best deal is money and schedule wise. Don't know much about the fractionals but my friends are telling me that EJA is a great place to be. I think that ASA looks like a better option over a longer period of time but I might be wrong.

Feel free to give some input!

/Unemployed since Aug -01

 

[cgmason1]

See previous post from JPPT2000-who left ASA for EJA.
Pick his brain about the differences between the two.
I personally think either would be a great place to work.
But EJA is a place where you can go for a career not just a stepping stone.
Not to mention we are all pushing for a great new contract.

Fly Safe
Chuck

 

[infoman]

ATLdude
If your question is money look at both pay scales. I would look at base pay only. Overtime can dry up and per diem is not part of your pay package.
The schedule at EJA is 17day or 7/7. You will not hold 7/7 for at least 8months +.
Look at current numbers only. I have read post here stateing we are getting a large increase. I am not saying we won't bargin for more than present, but look at current numbers. Your family will have too live with them.
That is how I looked when I made my decision to leave Eagle.

Best of Luck.

PS for SFR.
SFR you wrote a statement that I could not compare Eagle with EJA. I actullay can because I worked for Eagle and I presently work for EJA. I am not and will not write anything about ASA, because I know nothing about them. I hope you help ATLdude with some insight about ASA.
Live Well.

 

[infoman]

ATLdude

I forgot to give you the web address with the current pay scale and contract.
www.ejapilots.com
All the info is there.
Hope this helps.

 

[ATLdude]

Thanks !

Thanks for the info.

Fly safe

ATLdude

 

[LearCrj]

ATLdude:

I have only been at ASA for about 9 months and I am already ready to leave. I flew 135 charter before ASA, which is similar to frac ops. I have decided that I like going to different places and more variety in my flying than ASA can offer.

Pros and Cons from personal experience at ASA and what I have heard from my friends at EJA and on this board.

ASA Pros:
*Great group of pilots at ASA.
*Good Training
*Good equipment
*Travel passes (Standby though)
*Longevity

ASA Cons:
*Scheduling (ASA guys know what I'm talking about)
*pay sucks $19.02 hr 1st yr F/O, $33.65 hr 2nd yr F/O
*Long upgrade after Sep. 11
*Hotels
*Being scoped by the majors.
*Going to the same airport 3 times a day.

EJA Pros:
*Good training
*Even better equipment
*Airline frequent flier miles accumulate at a rapid rate allowing positve space travel.
*Frac industry is young and will continue to grow.
*schedule. If you are lucky enough to have 7on/7off you have 2 weeks of vacation a month.
*Faster upgrade than ASA and captains pay if someone junior upgrades on another airplane.
*Better Hotels
*Some Delta guy is not scoping your contract.
*Variety in flying. Different port of call every night.

EJA Cons:
*Away from home for extended periods.
*No travel bennies.

Ask the EJA guys for the rest of the cons.
In some respects it is like comparing apples to oranges. If you like going to places on a moments notice and do not mind being away from home for 5-7 days go to EJA. If you don't mind going to the same places and want to be home more often but not have as many days off in a row go to ASA.

Hope this helps and remember this is just my opinion based on my experiences at ASA and what I have heard about EJA.

Good Luck!

 

[jppt2000]

SFR,
I was at ASA two and a half years ago, Hired in as one of the first RJ FO's at the Company. Upgraded to Brasilia Capt. in 7 months. Left ASA for EJA 16 months ago.
I feel ASA is great if you live in ATL or DFW.
If you commute, its terrible. Especially if you commute from MCO.
6 to 8 hours to get to ATL.
Almost had two occurances, while trying to commute.
First the L1011 I was commuting on had an engine failure, and a a pax had a heart attack. Scheduling whould not of accepted those excuses for being tardy!
Flew with great Pilots at ASA.
Miss the RJ and Brasilia.
At ASA I can bet you will never fly the same kind of trips EJA does.
Times change though........
Who knows ASA might fly in and out of SFO, LAX, SEA, BFI.., to name a few.
When the RJ goes nonstop, west coast to east coast in 4 hours 10 mins., (heck of a tailwind) I might start regretting my decision.
DAL mainline folks made it clear to Comair and ASA, Delta regionals will find a hard time being integrated into mainline seniority list.
PS I made a few grand more, than first and second year Brasilia Captain's Pay in my first year at ASA.
Quality of life was a huge decision to leave.

 

[jppt2000]

PS I made a few grand more, than first and second year Brasilia Captain's Pay in my first year at ASA.

Doh!
What I meant was, In my first year at EJA, I made a few grand more than when I was at ASA.