Any Suggestions in joining the regionals?
 

I'm currently flying a PC12 in Africa and planning to move back to the U.S. The question I have is, what are the best regionals in terms of pay, working condition, upgrade time and so on. I have about 3300 hrs total of which 2100 is PIC. I appreciate any suggestions.

Hi there,

as far as I know, Horizon Air (home base Seattle, WA) was one of the better regionals regarding pay and working conditions, at least in the past. Don't know about the current situation, but I believe they are probably still among the top regionals. Horizon Air is a subsidiary of Alaska Airlines.

Find Airline Tickets, Low Airfares & Discount Flights - Alaska Airlines

Good luck ;)

You'd better ask at airlinepilotforums.

If you have a pulse, you can pick your poison (regional), stay away from 50 seater regionals, the cool thing now are 70 seaters :rolleyes:
Good luck.

While none of the regionals are great I would suggest SkyWest as a starting point.

There are a few things to consider when going to a regional:

Base - are you planning on commuting or living in base? Much easier living in base, especially while on reserve

Upgrade time - do you need turbine PIC time to move on? (sounds like the OP doesn't, but this is an important question for anyone else reading this). Plus, once you upgrade, pay increases. Most people avoid companies with long upgrades

Future and stability of the company - will I be looking for a new job and start at the bottom of the seniority list in 4 years?

Pay and conditions/contract - speaks for itself

Note: many pilots are wary of fully owned regionals. Read about the history of Comair and then look at a company like Envoy and waht is happening to them.

***********************************************

Here is a list of the regionals and a couple observations. Obviously, you should do your own research and come up with your own decision:

Skywest - They operate close to 1800 flights a day for United, American/US Airways, Delta and Alaska. CRJ2/7/900s and E175s. They also have MRJ and E175-E2s on order. They are non-union and are giving hiring bonuses to anyone with a current CRJ type rating. Upgrade recently dropped to 4 years and still dropping. The company has 14 pilot bases located mostly west of the Mississippi. Overall considered a very good company with good pilot morale. The company is very stable and has never furloughed a pilot.

Republic/Shuttle America - Same company but two different operating certificates. Largest operator of Ejets (E175/E190) in the world. Also operate Q400s but all are slated to get parked. Shuttle America also operates E145s. There is a hiring bonus, but very long upgrade, various bases around the country and known for having one of the worst contracts in the regional industry. No cancellation pay for example. Unless they absolutely have a base where you want to live like MIA, most people would tell you to stay clear. There is a long thread about this company on another forum about how the wheels are coming off and the CEO is abandoning ship. There is a good hiring bonus though. The company has the Bombardier C Series on order, but they have admitted that it won't fit in any current scope clause. The company has approximately 60 flight cancellations a day due to lack of flight crews and overall net loss of pilots every month. Having said that, I know a couple guys flying there and they enjoy the flying.

...................................
Next 3 companies are all owned by parent company Trans States Holdings. TSH also has MRJs on order but there are issues with scope

TSA - All ERJ145 operator (aka all 50 seaters), expanding quickly and fast upgrades. Opening a DEN base, currently with a IAD and STL base. The company is receiving planes faster than they can hire pilots, and hiring faster than they can train pilots. $10,000 new hire bonus. Ok contract for a regional, but read my next statement about GoJet...

GoJet - Owned by Trans States Holdings. CRJ700 operator and the company was started by parent company TSH to undermind the pilot group at TSA. Considered to have one of the lesser desireable contracts and work conditions, although they have a hiring bonus and a fast upgrade.

Compass - Owned by Trans States Holdings. Expanding rapidly, mostly west coast flying, all E175s. Fast upgrade and relatively small company. Get hired quick before all the E175 deliveries or you will miss the quick upgrade boat. Considered one of the better regionals. You can plan on being LAX or MSP based initially.
....................................................

Expressjet - Expressjet is owned by Skywest Inc (parent company of Skywest Airlines). The company was merged with ASA a few years ago. They operate CRJ2/7/900s and ERJ135/145. Very good contract but the future is uncertain, the concerns are related to Skywest Inc's plan for the company.

Endeavor - Fully owned regional by Delta Airlines. All CRJ2/900s, they had a long upgrade but now offer an $80,000 bonus paid out over 4 years and also a flowthrough agreement with Delta Airlines. As a result classes are full. Upgrade time is currently long but decreasing due to new hires and pilots flowing to Delta.

.................................................
Next three companies are all owned by AAG (American Airlines Group)

Envoy - Fully owned regional by AAG. Losing lots of aircraft to other companies as parent company American decides to move the planes around. This used to be considered a really good company to work for (formerly known as American Eagle) but conditions have been deteriorating and the company has displaced their aircraft to other regionals. They will be acquiring E175s. Long upgrade... bases are ORD and DFW. Upgrade time is currently long and total number of pilots being decreased due to fleet displacement. Company has a flowthrough to American.

Piedmont - Fully owned regional by AAG. All 50 seaters, between older Dash8s and Emb145s from Envoy (to the dismay of Envoy pilots). They have a flow through to American but I heard it is quite a long wait and it is just a giant carrot on a stick to attract new pilots.

PSA - Fully owned by regional by AAG. CLT, DAY, and TYS bases, all CRJ2/7/900s. Quick upgrades but there are quite a few complaints and bashing of this airline on the other pilot forums. There are receiving Envoy's CRJs while getting rid of their CRJ200s but overall net gain of aircraft I believe. I think this is causing heartburn with Envoy pilots but now there is talk that the CRJs slated from Envoy will not be coming as quickly as planned. Also has an American flow agreement.

Be wary of the American flow agreements. Many pilots are saying that the way the flow works for these regionals will cause you to slow your progress to American. Read the details on other forums.
.................................................

Mesa - All CRJ7/900 and E175s. CLT, PHX, IAD, DFW, and IAH bases. IAD base is being slowly closed down. DFW and IAH bases growing. Not the best contract and conditions, but many people have been flocking to Mesa due to rapid growth and expansion of the company (mainly due to receiving United E175 flying), which means quick upgrades.

Air Wisconsin - All CRJ200 company (aka all 50 seaters), US Airways flying with mostly East Coast bases. Known for having the best contract in the regional world. First year guys are grossing over $35,000 first year due to good contract rules, however they have a longerish upgrade and US Airways did not renew their contract, so Air Wisconsin exercised their option to extend for another 5 years. Long term future is questionable (mainly due to being all 50 seaters and no diversified flying).

Horizon - Q400 flying, pretty stable company. All flying is for Alaska Airlines so you will be based in the pacific northwest. Overall, I hear it is a good company, although upgrade times are quite long (8 years?)

Commutair - All 50 seaters. CLE and EWR bases. I don't know too much about them. Flying Q200/Q300

Silver Airways - Long upgrade, future uncertain. You will most likely be Florida based. They fly Saab turboprops.

Great Lakes - B1900 (many converted to part 135) and EMB120. You will be Denver based. Very quick upgrade, possible direct entry captain for you. Pay was just increased but still not on par with the rest of the industry. No pay during training. Lots of planes parked due to lack of crews and future is uncertain. I know several guys in this company and find the flying very fun and enjoyable but find the pay and conditions to be substandard. If you are considering them, I would only consider them if you can get Direct Entry Captain.

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Last note: Today's go-to regional could be tomorrow's lame duck and vice versa. These regionals transform so fast it is pretty amazing. So any of the info on here could change tomorrow. Additionally, I tried to give the most accurate information possible, but I noticed a lot of the information has changed since I started keeping track a year ago. Please feel free to add or correct any info that I have posted.

zonda - nice overview.


Correction - Envoy flows to AA. Brain probably got the 'E' airlines mixed up.

Thanks. I fixed it. It was a brain fart as I typed everything out real fast. :)

Zondaracer, thanx a million for providing me with an insight of what goes on in the Regionals. I truly appreciate your detailed answer to my question.

Thanks for the great overview! As someone who is reentering the aviation world after 8 years off, and zero time in the civilian world, I have little understanding of regionals, so this post was very timely for me.

Try Surf Air in California. They're the latest and greatest business model out here.

Compass Airlines
 

Hello everyone,
I have a class coming up with compass airlines, any information on training, systems, SOP, etc please advise.
Thank you

You will get more information on airlinepilotcentral.com for U.S. airlines.

Skywest's first year pay is now $30 an hour.

Any Suggestions in joining the regionals?
 

Zonda, I don't get on the boards much these days, but that's one of the better post replies I've come across in quite some time. (Seems accurate according to what I recall too.) Nice job.

Hiring
 

I'll add; after a 60 day job search, that everyone is hiring. APC has more information by far, but it can descend rapidly into long held dispute.
There are 3 camps; i believe. Some carriers will thrive & grow; perhaps substantially. PErhaps a couplE will morph into more 'national' carriers with E175's & 195's -effectively 'C Payscale' majors (or perhaps be completely swallowed by the majors; the upshot for employees is the same..)
Some will fail completely or consolidate and become true Regional airlines with 50 seat hops; like it was 10-15 years ago. Folks still need to travel to Peoria :-)
pay is increasing, travel benefits can be excelent (Envoy) to very good (Endeavor) to hit & miss (do the math!)
Look at APC, (read first before asking questions!)
Get your paperwork in order. You will be filling in forms until your fingers bleed. Make sure everything is accurate and the numbers all work.
ATP/ATP mins; FCC license, First Class Medical (with >60 days left to run)
Work history, residence history, Credit et al. Ask your previous bosses to expect and return a questionnaire.
If you have any black marks against you: (DUI, Criminal et al) Disclose it. They will find out. You will be walked out of class and sent home.
Read the Gouges; they're generally spot on. i interviewed at 3 airlines; Clearly they only interview prescreened pilots, most people who showed up were offered on the day.
Everyone talks about 'the Lost Decade' -it's closer to 15 years; but things are picking up; and the next generation of 70-90 seat aircraft are established and arriving. It may be the best time ever to join a regional in the US; but don't expect the Bank Manager to agree for a while!

This an interesting twist if UAL is a goal:

CommutAir

And this one for the low time people. They don't reveal how they intend to get 500 hour pilots up to ATP flight times:

https://www.pilotcareercentre.com/Pi...tates+Airlines

CapPC12, with your hours, don't waste your time with the Regionals, try Jet Blue, Spirit, Southwest, Netjets, Flexjets, Virgin.

Not if most of his time and all of his PIC time is SE Turbine...:E


SouthWest requires > 1500 hrs Turbo jet + 737 type
Jetblue requires > 1000hrs PIC turbojet
And so on....

Southwest dropped the type requirement the first part of this year.

JetBlue has closed the hiring window for the year, but none of these guys are asking turbojet. Southwest requires Turbine and no more Type.

Here's JetBlue:
"Minimum Experience and Qualifications

1500 hours total time in airplanes (including turbine Helicopter, excluding Simulator, Flight Engineer)
500 hours in fixed wing airplanes
Recency of flight experience will be considered
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification
Current FAA Class 1 Medical Certificate
Ability to obtain a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Radio License
Valid Passport with the ability to travel in and out of the United States
Three reference letters from Pilots who can personally attest to the candidate's flying skills (must bring originals to interview)
High School Diploma or General Education Development (GED) Diploma
Ability to be based in any one of the following BlueCities: JFK, BOS, MCO, FLL, LGB
Regular attendance and punctuality
Organizational fit for the JetBlue culture, that is, exhibit the JetBlue values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Fun and Passion
Well groomed and able to maintain a professional appearance
Pass a ten (10) year background check, pre-employment drug test and criminal history records check (CHRC)
Legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located
When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft
Preferred Experience and Qualifications
Greater than 1,000 hours turbine PIC
Greater than 1,000 hours in more sophisticated aircraft utilizing Electronic Flight Instrument Systems (EFIS), Flight Management Systems (FMS)
Recency of experience (Greater than 200 hours within the last 12 months)
Bachelor's Degree
Competitive qualifications are significantly higher than the minimums"

Endeavor is taking a step in the right direction. I don't know if they have membership ratification. This from another forum:

The Endeavor MEC ratified our TA tonight which starts to pave the way for the company to expand it's fleet and hire at least 600 new pilots next year. The quick and dirty of the new LOA:

• Starting FO pay now at $30 an hour
• Completion of Training bonus of $3,000. Company reserves the right to up the bonus to $10,000 if necessary at their discretion
• Increase in retention bonus for all pilots currently on property to $23,000 a year through 2018
• New hire pilots after Jan. 1 will receive $20,000 a year their first year and $23,000 every year after until 2018
• All open time is now paid at %150
• All credit hours over 85 hours are now paid at %150
• You can now coordinate with Crew Scheduling and commute in on your first day of reserve during your call out time. IE Reserve starts at 1200 with a 2 hour call out.

If you call before and after your commuting flight, you do not need to be at your domicile until 1400 that day

There are some other QOL improvements as well...

wow are you really expected to clean the aircraft ??:ugh:

"When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable Crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft."

I'd predict a sparsity of "time" and "capable crewmembers".

Yeah don't go to the regionals, you're going to hate life. I spent the last 4 years doing so.

Try some of the cargo companies, Southern (you'd probably get the 737) or others. I have 3000TT and I'm on an MD-11 and will go to the 747-400 in February.

Better options than the regionals.

Not all regionals are equal. Plenty of happy guys at my regional.

jsfboat,

The freight carriers are certainly an option (UPS and FedEx are career destinations, not steppingstones) ). I'd guess you're at WGA and wish your company the best.

Here's some Southern Air info as an example of your point. If a person is OK with "...20 consecutive days...", I guess this might be a viable choice especially if it's a career stopover and it would give bigger airplane experience. I say "go for it !!"


"Crewmembers will be required to work 20 consecutive days a month"

https://southernair-public.sharepoin...4ac636917e5ca6

Yeah I'm at WGA but I'm jumping ship to another ACMI company, we have 20 day trips, but I'm going home on day 16, in a week. It's not too bad, they keep us busy enough that the time goes by quick. The best thing is all the days off are in a row, I can actually get things done and recoup from the trip before having to head out again.

We had several guys that came through (my sim partner being one of them) with only turboprop experience and all except 1 made it. It's doable... I think SA is the same way. Just study and be prepared for a BIG transition.

US Regionals are in a bidding war for new hires at the moment. $40/h and $10-20+K Retention Bonuses. The good ones are actually pretty decent places to work. APC is something between helpful and vitriolic, depending on the company in question. PM me and i'll try to help..

I have seen a couple mentions in regards to Horizon (QX).
Be mindful if this is the carrier you choose, they did just purchase 30 brand new RJ175's and from what I have gathered...if you go to QX between now and the next couple years...you will be guaranteed a seat lock in the Q400. Everyone I have talked to says wait about 2 years if your wanting to get into the 175.

Yesterday I found this on another board:

Pilots | OMS ? Foreign Healthcare Recruitment

Looks like someone is giving out Green Cards.

Seems this company, OMS, is making a rather bold claim. I guess we won't get to hear about specific airlines where they're placing the expats in the US ? Their email traffic is about take an uptick, though. ;-))

That's one guy out of thousands. Most captains at Skywest have their application in at various companies and we are losing 30+ captains a month. Plus dozens of FOs. Even Mesa has their group of lifers. And there isn't anything wrong with being happy at your current job.

"The worm has turned".

Mesa Air Group

JPJP,

That...is an interesting turn of events. It's the first time I've seen a US regional openly solicit Aussie pilots.

Agreed.

The only reason I even know about it - a buddy sent it to me as friendly teasing. I'd rather chew my arm off, than work for little Johnny O. However; if it's a choice between sweating in a C210 somewhere near Darwin, or having a F.A. bring you a cold Coke, I know which choice I'd make.

I think this development is merely the beginning. Led logically by the company that has traditionally been an industry leader in 'pilot retention issues'.

JPJP,

Understand.

What I can't tell for sure from the E-3 Visa info on the link is whether Mesa is taking Aussies with no FAA license. I'll guess they're requiring an FAA license. If so, this'll cut down on the number of willing participants.

At least Mesa is trying. I hope they're successful attracting people.

Looking at the website, they'll take you without an ATP, but need the hour requirements. It states FAA written, which I assume you would have to organise over there before/after the CTP component of the ATP.

Another guess is if you have aus ATPL subjects done you'd only need to do conversion exams?

Looking at the link JPJP posted it says "Licenses FAA CPL ATP" which as bafanguy says will limit the number of applicants.

If you don't have a FAA ATP Mesa will send you to a CTP class which must be completed before attempting the ATP written.

In the FAA world there are no conversion exams unless you hold a Canadian license. Everyone else goes through the same process Americans go through - the CTP, the written exam, a training program and a checkride.

I'm surprised Mesa isn't casting a wider net if they're going after visa holders. How much more training would be required if they took Aussies right off the boat with no FAA tickets but the requisite amount/type of flight times ?