US Airways: A good idea?

[5ontheglide]

Looking for some solid advice...

My situation:
Currently working for my second regional after suffering a furlough from the first. I am looking at 4 or 5 months for junior upgrade and maybe 10-12 mos. for an upgrade and relocation to PIT. I work for an exploding-growth regional with sketchy business practices in how they treat their employees. (Yes its Republic Airways - Shuttle America)

My goals: Be based in PIT and make a comfortable living for my family.

My stats:
27 yrs. old.
3500TT
1500 Turbine
NO PIC TURBINE!

The questions:
I've heard that Airways will be hiring off the street into the 190 out of PHL in September (or there-abouts) Truth?
1: Is it reasonable to think I stand a chance at getting hired w/o the turbine PIC, but having an SIC type in the 170/190? I also have just over 1200 hrs in the 170.
2: How long would it take to hold PIT? How long to hold a long-call RSV line in PHL on the 190?
3: Should I risk making the jump w/out the PIC turbine?

Any serious thoughts would be appreciated!

 

[Boeing747Driver]

Looking for some solid advice...

My situation:
Currently working for my second regional after suffering a furlough from the first. I am looking at 4 or 5 months for junior upgrade and maybe 10-12 mos. for an upgrade and relocation to PIT. I work for an exploding-growth regional with sketchy business practices in how they treat their employees. (Yes its Republic Airways - Shuttle America)

My goals: Be based in PIT and make a comfortable living for my family.

My stats:
27 yrs. old.
3500TT
1500 Turbine
NO PIC TURBINE!

The questions:
I've heard that Airways will be hiring off the street into the 190 out of PHL in September (or there-abouts) Truth?
1: Is it reasonable to think I stand a chance at getting hired w/o the turbine PIC, but having an SIC type in the 170/190? I also have just over 1200 hrs in the 170.
2: How long would it take to hold PIT? How long to hold a long-call RSV line in PHL on the 190?
3: Should I risk making the jump w/out the PIC turbine?

Any serious thoughts would be appreciated!

Get the 1000 PIC turbine if you can, but it may workout without it.

 

[igneousy2]

1. Once US airways begins hiring again - like all the other majors - the first one or two classes are usually the blood relations of current pilots/management. Right now there is a glut of people with well over 1,000+ PIC, so at least initially - without knowing anything else about you - you probably won't be very competetive.

2. It seems like you've answered this for yourself already - if you don't have 1,000 PIC you will limit yourself going forward. A friend of mine was stuck as a junior FO at Northwest, couldn't leave for greener pastures because he got hired without 1,000 PIC years ago and couldn't even apply to FEDEX or SWA. That being said - if US Airways is IT for you then it would probably be worth to go for it. You could then join the ever growing club of major airline pilots that have promised themselves that "if it doesn't work out this time then..." for me it's law school, maybe for you business/med school.

Good luck

 

[PHXFLYR]

You really can't put a price on that ME PIC experience. I would stay at Shuttlecraft and get a minimum of 1000 ME PIC,especially if you can be based at PIT, one of your stated goals. Heck,your only 27 yrs old. Why rush? Alot of the majors are just starting to hire so I think there will be a steady stream of hiring over the next several years. To answer the second part of your question. Why oh why do you want to fly for USAirways and make 41/hr flying the 190 around as an F/O when you have the possibility of flying what is essentially the same aircraft as Capt, make a hell of a lot more money, and make yourself much more competitive for quality outfits like SWA,FedEx or UPS,all who seem to be doing some sort of hiring right now? I just don't get it.Not only that,there has been major down sizing of mainline's PIT domicile for the last several years(where do you think your quick upgrade is coming from ). Those that are left are very senior so your chances of getting back there in a reasonable amount of time ,assuming you persue a position with USAirways,would be slim to non existent. If being based in PIT is that important to you,you might be better off staying with your present company,rather than jumping ship.So I would say,stay where you are ,get your ME PIC experience and maybe a B737 type if you can swing the payments. And do yourself a big favor. Stay far far away from USAirways. God knows I wish I had. Good luck
:beer:


PHXFLYR

 

[reepicheep]

Also keep in mind the tenuous nature of the PIT pilot domicile as the city continues to decline in importance for the airline. It wouldn't come as much of a shock if they closed it.

 

[aa73]

KInda off topic, but why did you guys change your call sign from "Shuttlecraft" to "Mercury?" Thx. 73

 

[LittleDeuce]

US Airways Hiring

I think the timing may work out for you. I certainly would upgrade to Captain on the ERJ-170/175 ASAP.

It's true we have a new hire class starting on August 27th, but they are pilots that were hired by AWA and put in a pool just before the merger.

We are going through the furlough list (APL) quickly and I would expect new hires (in the truest sense) early next year.

The interview process is being developed and I don't know what the requirements will be.

 

[MCDU]

When will they post the next permanent bid?

 

[5ontheglide]

KInda off topic, but why did you guys change your call sign from "Shuttlecraft" to "Mercury?" Thx. 73

ATC complained that Shuttlecraft sounded too much like AirShuttle so.... we initially changed it to Crossroads because some moron in Management liked it - however, not being a pilot or controller - ATC approved it and then rescinded approval due to it sounding too much like Cross Rwy/Taxiway etc...

Mercury was chosen by our Director of Flt. Ops because he's a NASA buff or something I guess. Now we are being confused with 'Merican - especially those who pronounce it like George W. Bush.

Thanks for all of the advice regarding the post. I've relegated myself to only being happy if I can live in Morgantown, WV. My wife has made a pretty sound request for me not to commute for the next 33 (38)years... so PIT is my best option to solve both problems. I can't see myself working for Republic for the next few decades either.... Maybe I should chuck the whole thing now and go back for that pharmaceutical degree....

 

[Steeler Fan]

I've relegated myself to only being happy if I can live in Morgantown, WV. My wife has made a pretty sound request for me not to commute for the next 33 (38)years... so PIT is my best option to solve both problems.

I worked for US Airways and commuted via car to PIT. It was a great deal, until the furlough.

Very happy at AirTran now, even with the commute. Given the ages of our kids and the whole family support deal (aka in-laws) back in the burgh, commuting has been do-able.

Tough choice for you, as everyone has a different situation, so it's a;; about what works for you.

Go Steelers!

 

[Sig]

Here's a wrench...

flow through.

 

[AutoBus]

Here's a wrench...

flow through.

My guess is that it will never really happen, flow through sounds great to the regional types, until you talk about flow back and all of a sudden it's a bad idea. hmmmm..?

Just submit you app like everyone else

 

[gcsass]

Get the 1000 PIC at all costs...then when LCC furloughs again you will at least have some hope. That will be a better deal than sitting around hoping for a J4J program....from first hand experience.

 

[LittleDeuce]

Bid

When will they post the next permanent bid?

They just put out a CBS message yesterday, the July bid is being rolled over into October now.

 

[PositiveRate]

What does that mean?

 

[jmreii]

Besides the pic turbine time make sure you know someone. Knowing someone moves mountains when pic time does nothing, especially when everybody and their mother has it.

 

[PHXFLYR]

Good point!!

PHXFLYR

 

[PHXFLYR]

........ I can't see myself working for Republic for the next few decades ...... Maybe I should chuck the whole thing now and go back for that pharmaceutical degree....[/quote]






Now that's the first smart thing you posted yet!!



PHXFLYR

 

[PHXFLYR]

Here's a wrench...

flow through.

Why wait for a flow through that may take years to materialize,if at all,when you could probably get hired somewhere else much quicker on your own? I don't get it.What's the attraction?


PHXFLYR