spikemath

I'm a few years behind most of you; trying to select a regional that will set me up for greater success in the future. Guys in my shoes look up to you guys, we aim to be where you are. Some questions I have fit mainly in the following topics:

1) Flow vs no-flow
2) Specific regional(s) to avoid
3) Platform: CRJvsERJvsEJETvsDash
4) Jet PIC or FO to FO?

I want to strategically choose the regional that will best help me move forward in my career. Any and all suggestions/advice is greatly appreciated!

Silver02ex

Network! get to know people who works for the company you want to end up at. IMO that's one of the big thing. The rest of the things you listed does not matter as much. They will help, but an internal recommendation will help you out much more.

spikemath

That's a great point. I hear this a lot. Is this easier when you are jump seating? Or maybe just hanging in a pilots lounge? It's always been kind of a mystery of how to really make good connections. I've been keeping a contact list of pilots I have met over the years, and try to contact them every once in a while to keep fresh, but most have always been in my own pilot generation.

Firsttimeflyer

Networking is definitely good.
Lots of eagle guys going to american, lots of folks from all over going to united (several from expressjet), and a decent amount of RJ guys from delta connection carriers off to Delta. Knowing and being buddies and keeping in touch with those guys heading off can help you get recommendation letters.

TPIC is one more box to check. Your training history, volunteer activities, past employment history, education among other things are equally a part of future success. If you don't have a 4 year degree I'd get working on it now, in something other than aviation unless it is followed by engineering or management.

Are you able and willing to move to any base anywhere in the country, if not figure out what part of the country or specific city or area you want to live in, then you can narrow down regionals and majors big time. If you are flexible, then you can really go to where you can upgrade quicker, which means the TPIC, more money and most likely a better quality of life.

viper548

Keep in contact with the Captains you fly with. When they move on to other airlines they can be a big help.

crflyer

I have yet to see that help me out and I network pretty darn hard.

People will go on and on about whether chasing a flow is a good idea (see the thread on that in the regional forums). My .02 is that it really isn't that important and things can change awfully fast with those. Sometimes it works out well.

Regarding going to a major from the right seat, it's possible but you need to network well and have a well-rounded resume. Being able to upgrade will obviously help your chances of getting an interview but it's certainly no guarantee of anything.

Silver02ex

I don't know what to tell you. I must have good luck then considering that, I've gotten an interview offer not long after my internal recs said they would contact HR to recommend me. This happens with 2 different LCC. My resume doesn't stand out anymore than any other line pilot at a regional. This is why I believe keeping in contact with guys you enjoyed flying with helps out.

crflyer

I think trying to get on with our companies is a little different than trying to get on with the legacies in terms of networking.

ImperialxRat

Go to a regional with a quick upgrade and a base somewhere where you don't mind living.

Biggest thing I have seen help people get to the major from regionals is get involved in the airline in a leadership capacity... union work, safety committee, become a ground school instructor, etc etc

Name User

Your goal should be to get into the training dept ASAP. Most places that are growing rapidly will allow for that. PIC and check airman experience, plus a 4 year = interviews at legacy carriers.