fenix1

I’m 18-ish months out from having ATP mins, unfortunately, but I’m trying to get (and stay) ahead of which regional to target. I understand that a lot can/will happen in this time and I may need to adjust accordingly, but I’m trying to plan as much as possible, anyway.

I have no previous 121 experience, but OO seems to have plenty of upside, not the least of which is the SLC base. I understand that this base is senior, but I’d be grateful for any thoughts on the most QoL-friendly path for someone who lived in SLC. I’m guessing that hoping for the CRJ (200 or 700?) out of training would be best since there’s no ERJ’s at SLC. Then start in DTW (or other junior FO base), bid SLC as FO when able, upgrade to DTW/ATL (or other junior CA base), then bid DEN as CA when able, and finally bid SLC as CA when able. Or is there a better way to skin the cat for someone hanging their hat in SLC?

Are there any major expected or known possible changes for the SLC base (OO, DL or otherwise) in the years ahead?

Many thanks for any help you’re good enough to provide and Happy New Year to all.

rickair7777

Your plan sounds about right.

The future of SLC is not clear. Likely to get ERJs eventually, but no indication that will be growth. CA will remain very senior due to locals never leaving, to have a good schedule, you will want to get hired no later than about 1990.

If you must live there, your plan A should involve DAL. UAL/SWA would be easy commutes to DEN, LAS, PHX.

Utah

Oh come on now. Good schedules start with a 1998 hire date.

Utah

Want to be a captain in SLC get hired at Delta. Junior DOH at Delta in SLC is 2008, at SkyWest 2007.

amcnd

Delta Captain isnt 2008 for SLC. The average is 20+ years. And will be reserve a long time. Don't get lured in by SLC and get comfortable.. you can go to a major upgrade faster on the east coast and retire in SLC..

rickair7777

As a DAL FO, you can live a good life in SLC and still retire early.

Utah

If we're just talking the junior guy.
what is the upgrade time to CA in SLC?

Average at SkyWest for SLC is also around 20 years.

fenix1

DAL would certainly be the primary objective if our move to SLC comes to fruition as we hope. UAL (DEN, SFO, LAX, IAH bases that seem commutable from SLC) appears to be the 2nd best option.

I give some thought to being a SkyWest lifer as well - I’ll be in my early 40’s by the time I reach ATP mins - but who knows what’s ahead & whether the regionals will continue to exist as they do currently or whether SLC flying might be pulled back to mainline DAL or a wholly-owned regional at some point...

SkyWest is a giant, obviously, and a stable company with some real advantages over the competition (owned aircraft, etc), but as the pilot shortage deepens, does the OO pilot group worry about the airline’s future at all? (ie, if the legacy carriers pull more flying in-house or send it to wholly-owned regionals, then where would that leave SkyWest?)

Many thanks to all for the help!

155mm

Seriously? SkyWest was abusive as hell! My guess is they still have the same imbeciles running the show and no Union to protect you from those idiots. Go to a Regional with a flow through agreement! In addition, I-15 runs through SLC and it's an extension of the LA basin. Traffic jams, crazy drivers, expensive real estate, criminals, etc.

fenix1

Can you please expound upon what you mean by “abusive”? Regionals are regionals to some degree, but I would like to learn more about your OO experience.

Our move to SLC would be for many reasons (nearby family & job prospects for my wife being chief among them) and no place is perfect, but the SLC area seems to have a lot of positive attributes as well, right?