Nigel

I'm currently a 1.5 yr Eagle FO based in LAX. I would like to stay out west and live in base in either California, Colorado, or Washington.

I guess my question is, should I stay with Eagle, deal with commuting, and bank on this rumored pilot shortage to move me on somewhere better? Or should I join Skywest or Republic?

Its not like I've amassed a ton of seniority at Eagle so switching companies isn't all that bad.

For Republic, I guess I'm concerned with how much bad stuff I hear about them. Although they are getting 30 odd Q400's what are my chances of being based in DEN which is really their only out west option? Or how long would I have to commute until I could transfer there? Planning on growing or shrinking the DEN base?

For Skywest, they have lots of out west options but how senior are they? I've heard people don't move on from them so how long am I going to be skimming the bottom of the list? Also the expected upgrade time and time on reserve? New hire base, etc?

Thanks for your feedback!

thump

Generally, Republic is an east company. Under our current CBA, you are stuck on your type and certificate (e.g. Republic/Chautauqua/Shuttle) until upgrade. If you got hired into the Q400 program soon, life will be very good. You will have a line quickly if you get hired in the front end of the program startup. Even if you don't get DEN initially, it will likely be possible to base trade out to Q400 DEN from MCI or PIT.

If you get hired into Republic 170/190 program, you have a chance at being junior reserve b-i-t-c-h in DEN, but will likely be stuck in a base east of the Mississippi river. Remember.... you will be stuck as a Republic 170/190 FO until upgrade. We could open a Shuttle America E170 base in LAX and you would not be able to bid it without upgrading. While upgrade times are starting to fall, the most junior CA on any type, across all certificates is 5.5 years.

The Republic DEN 190 base is being rapidly downsized. There is a HIGH likelihood that by this time next year, everyone will be displaced somewhere else. You could theoretically make it to DEN on the 190 to be displaced to the Chautaqua E145, with no chance to change back to the 170/190 at either shuttle or republic without being senior enough to upgrade.

In other words, get in now, but only if you're going to the Q400, as you will have good prospects at a line and being based in DEN. Any other position in the company is not worth taking unless you are okay with commuting a LOOONG way.

Bustin

I'd consider how many people are behind you more than the amount of time you've spent there. If you're sitting at the bottom of the list then moving may not be such a gamble. If you have a lot of guys under you you're giving up a lot of furlough protection. And every time someone thinks the wave is about to hit it seems another regional takes the safety off the furlough trigger. I'd hang out at Eagle if it was me.

etflies

At SkyWest, the further west you go, generally the more senior the base on the jet. I have heard of some newhires getting COS and DEN though. Keep in mind you could get the Bro which is all west coast (most eastern base is SLC, which tends to go more senior). You'll hold a line quicker on the Brophus than the jet and have a greater likelihood of staying on the west coast. Upgrade is dependent in airframe, slightly longer for the jet as you might expect.

amcnd

I spent 5 years at Eagle and was asking the same question... ( left 8 years ago).. I jumped to SkyWest. Eagle was great, no issues. Just knew i couldn't commute any more.... In your shoes, i would come to SkyWest. If you want to stay west...

duvie

I'd say jump ship. SkyWest is in pretty thick with most of the majors and will probably keep picking up piecemeal contracts. I don't know if they will ever get much bigger, given the current scorning of the 50 seaters (a la turboprops 8 years ago), but they stand a good chance to maintain their ground. Eagle on the other hand is looking like Expressjet in 2008/9 when Continental officially ceased to have a diplomatic relationship with their (XJT) management.

If you were a Texas kid, I'd say you'd need a crystal ball to know for sure, but being a west coast guy, I think SkyWest is a pretty obvious choice.

Take the BRO, first year pay is the same and by the end of year 1 when your seat lock is up, you'll be able to hold a west coast base on the jet. It'll keep you close to home and ensure the best QOL.

Good luck

lolwut

Northwest
America West
Midwest

Theres a common trend here and I'd take it into consideration when choosing where to go work.

80ktsClamp

What about Southwest? hmmmm??

PerpetualFlyer

Apples
Oranges
Bananas

What? Are we not making pointless lists that have nothing to do with the question?

Nigel

Awesome thanks for all the good information! Well the applications are in at both companies with an interview at Republic this Thurs.

So sounds like Republic only if I can get in early on the Q. As people are being displaced out of the 190's could they in theory bump me down as a DEN FO on the Q? Didn't realize the upgrade time was 5ish years there too. I thought it'd be sooner. Is the only way to change bases as a FO to trade with another FO or do they have vacancy bids as well? On a side note, I read somewhere that they have a 2 yr contract you have to sign to where if you leave within that time, you owe them your training costs. Any truth to that?

Skywest sounds like the better option as far as companies go. I hadn't thought about bidding the Brasilia and staying west till we're ready to move. Good idea! With all the bases Skywest has, it seems like it wouldn't be too had to move around.

amcmd: Ya I totally agree, no issues at eagle as a company, but the appeal of living at their selection of bases doesn't really interest me. I already did the commute to Dallas for luckily only 7 months but that was enough to know I'd rather live in base. Now I'll be back into commuting there along with the rest of the LAX base refugees.

Again thanks to all for the info! Any more info about the companies would be great! Haven't had many jumpseaters lately to ask these questions of.