beech1980

Take the class and get the major interview. I know a guy who was in training at an LCC. Got an interview at The D and did it during a break in training. They knew he was in the middle of new hire training and still hired him. If your a good canidate they will take you. It doesnt matter if you're in training or under a contract.
It's business and they don't care about hurting that other airline's feelings. People need to realize you are your own entity and no one else except you gives a rats ass about your career except you. Any airline will furlough you at the drop of a hat to cut costs or give a unworthy exec a golden parachute....

Jenkins1

Wow everybody, thank you very much for the replies! Each of them are helpful to me as I need to make a decision pretty quickly.

As you guys are already aware, the date you begin ground normally is your hire date, which of course affects seniority, which affects how quickly I'll upgrade. So understandably, I want to begin ground school asap. What I'm just not sure about is getting approved from the regional to get a day off in the middle of ground school for the major interview. I don't feel I'll need too much preparation time for the interview while I'm in ground school, and I've already flown the same regional jet for over five years with my previous regional, so I can devote some time in ground school to my interview prep. But I kind of like the idea about telling the regional up front about needing a day off for a "prearranged personal event", lol! I'm just not sure they would allow that or be able to guarantee that day off. Perhaps the FAA wouldn't even allow it?

Please keep the replies coming as they are much appreciated!

Window_Seat

What are your times and background? Is it with a legacy? Regionals are a dime a dozen these days. they need you more than you need them. If the major is one that you would want to make a career at, I'd postpone the class date at the regional. Upgrade will be quick regardless so missing a class isnt the end of the world.

Sliceback

Good luck saying "I need day 10 and 11 off" in newhire training.

Delay your class date. Take the interview. Odds of getting the job from the interview? 50-95%. What if you don't get it? Think starting at the regional a month later is going to be that much of a delay in upgrading 6, 12, 24, or 60 months later?

SayAlt

This makes it a no-brainer. If the new regional wants you now, with your experience, they will want you a month or two from now.

Ask them for their next class date and keep your calendar (and your head) clear for the major interview. You don't have to tell them why, either, beyond "it works best for me for personal reasons".

Whatever you do, DO NOT TELL THEM YOU ARE INTERVIEWING WITH ANYONE ELSE. That's none of their business. Ever. In spite of what they or anyone else may think.

Two more thoughts....

The hiring boom is just beginning. Barring some unforeseen global economic meltdown, you have YEARS before it will close again. Right now, you can afford to wait a month or two for the next class date.

Also, never take any chances with a major (read: career) interview. If getting on with a major/legacy carrier is your primary goal, then treat it that way. Your attitude here will carry over into your interview.

Good luck!

Sliceback

Good job getting out of the sim and back into the cockpit.

Straight from the top - is having a simulator job a negative? "No. But the next question is 'when were you last a professional pilot?' "

Contract sim jobs can be a good gig. I don't think recruiters would recommend that for a former military guy over a 121 regional job. It fills no boxes on your resume/application.

viper548

Most airlines run Indoc and systems classes M-F and most airlines interview M-F as well. You might have better luck interviewing during training when you are in Sim. A few things to keep in mind: the company can see every CASS request, If you are going to miss training to go to an interview, DO NOT use your benefits. Also, the PRIA request from the major will tip off the regional. Don't get fired from your regional job trying to get hired at the major. Training costs a lot of money and you don't want to **** off the regional. Personally, I'd put off the regional class and concentrate on the major interview. Spend the money and do an interview prep course and sim prep.

DLpilot

What if you have to delay your interview because you were not able to get those days off during training? This would affect your career way more than a month or two at a regional. Some regional can't even fill a class anymore. Ask to get a class a month later. Getting the necessary time off for a major interview is way more important than missing a few seniority numbers at a regional. The seniority number at the major should be your primary focus. You are very fortunate to land an interview at a major.

Jenkins1

Thanks again everybody! It seems the majority of you say to delay the class at the regional, at least a month.

Also, to be a little more precise, this airline that I said was a "major" is really considered a low-cost carrier (not Southwest). Late last night, when I made the initial post, I was just thinking in terms of a non-regional, lol! But I have a feeling this doesn't change any of your responses.

Furthermore, I prefer not to state the name of the actual airlines just in case this can somehow be tracked back to me. I think most can understand where I'm coming from. But I doubt any recruiters search this forum that hard, lol!

Thanks again!