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Swift Air - The truth

Old 02-16-2019, 06:34 AM
  #201  
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Just finished training last week and I figured I can give an individual perspective.

I was in January 6th class. There were no issue with the company providing us air and ground transportation to Greensboro. As a matter of fact, crew scheduling and Brian called us during the travel day to confirm there weren't any hiccups.

1st day of class is pretty much orientation/paperwork/picture taking.
We were given 60 hours of CBT training prior to the class. Some received that training a month ahead of the class and some a week before the class. You can guess which of them finished it on time.

Ground school is basic indoctrination stuff. The instructor is calm and is an ex 121 airline guy. What I really liked about this airline is the fact that everyone from the top management came down and introduced themselves, gave their perspective and where the company is headed in future. The chief pilot is also pilot's guy.

Simulator training was also non issue. It is conducted at PanAm in Miami by Swift's instructor. Check ride is in classic 737 sim followed by LOFT training in NG. Guys that have had previous 121/corporate or any kind of fast paced airline experience had no issues. The guys that struggled were the ones that came from Tours/Instructing background. It is a fast paced course. We finished our training in 41 days. In my opinion, guys with no experience are better of going to regional to get more structured training.

Overall, company has a good head or heads on its shoulder. They want you to succeed and will work with you. Company is making money. Upgrades are less than a year. It definitely beats going to SUN COUNTRY. Most of us are waiting for IOE now. The government shutdown didn't help with releasing new Check Airmen. So far, my experience has been excellent and hope it continues in that direction.

*This is a non sponsored post. No donations were made for this post to appear.
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Old 02-16-2019, 09:18 AM
  #202  
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Originally Posted by Toby Flenderson View Post
Just finished training last week and I figured I can give an individual perspective.

I was in January 6th class. There were no issue with the company providing us air and ground transportation to Greensboro. As a matter of fact, crew scheduling and Brian called us during the travel day to confirm there weren't any hiccups.

1st day of class is pretty much orientation/paperwork/picture taking.
We were given 60 hours of CBT training prior to the class. Some received that training a month ahead of the class and some a week before the class. You can guess which of them finished it on time.

Ground school is basic indoctrination stuff. The instructor is calm and is an ex 121 airline guy. What I really liked about this airline is the fact that everyone from the top management came down and introduced themselves, gave their perspective and where the company is headed in future. The chief pilot is also pilot's guy.

Simulator training was also non issue. It is conducted at PanAm in Miami by Swift's instructor. Check ride is in classic 737 sim followed by LOFT training in NG. Guys that have had previous 121/corporate or any kind of fast paced airline experience had no issues. The guys that struggled were the ones that came from Tours/Instructing background. It is a fast paced course. We finished our training in 41 days. In my opinion, guys with no experience are better of going to regional to get more structured training.

Overall, company has a good head or heads on its shoulder. They want you to succeed and will work with you. Company is making money. Upgrades are less than a year. It definitely beats going to SUN COUNTRY. Most of us are waiting for IOE now. The government shutdown didn't help with releasing new Check Airmen. So far, my experience has been excellent and hope it continues in that direction.

*This is a non sponsored post. No donations were made for this post to appear.
Thanks for the post. PM ssnt
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Old 02-16-2019, 10:00 AM
  #203  
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Originally Posted by flysooner9 View Post
What do schedules look like for home based pilots? Also what’s the upgrade time? Saw aero crew saying sub 1 year. Is that true? How hard is it to get one of the home based slots?


Home based 12 days off. You won’t break guarantee in hockey season unless you get to do some ICE from AEX. But that’s pretty senior on the bidding and they’ve been using it for OE so you can get bumped out of there easily for OE. Usually a 7-10 day on with 4-5 off in between. No travel on your day off.

Average during winter 30-50hrs a month. Starting May with vacation express I usually do about 80-90hrs

Upgrades are less than a year for those are qualified and can meet merit criteria such as no training issues, do well in training and on the line.

Home based is a mid level seniority spot. MIA is still junior. Some of the last classes most guys have been able to get it. Obviously things change so always plan on MIA being junior still. As people upgrade it opens spots in all bases.
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Old 02-16-2019, 10:04 AM
  #204  
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Originally Posted by Hellafo View Post
You won't break min guarantee.

First year FO 66*60/month.

First year captain 117*60/month.

Sit unpaid reserve at places like ACY.

Team flying is often late nights.


There’s no min day pay but if you’re home based you’re on guarantee anyway, it’s not like you’re losing pay. Hopefully we can fix some soft pay soon. You’re still getting per diem anyway.

The late night stuff is hard on your body. But I rather do that than commute. Least I get fed and don’t spend money on food. Work with good people and have fun doing it. 2 days in YVR can be fun!
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Old 02-16-2019, 02:38 PM
  #205  
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[QUOTE=mexipilot84;2765336]There’s no min day pay but if you’re home based you’re on guarantee anyway, it’s not like you’re losing pay. Hopefully we can fix some soft pay soon. You’re still getting per diem.

Hey Mexipilot84,
I got confused on the per diem thing??? If a pilot is home based he/she is going to receive per diem when not on the road and sitting at home?
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Old 02-16-2019, 02:55 PM
  #206  
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Originally Posted by mexipilot84 View Post
There’s no min day pay but if you’re home based you’re on guarantee anyway, it’s not like you’re losing pay. Hopefully we can fix some soft pay soon. You’re still getting per diem anyway.

The late night stuff is hard on your body. But I rather do that than commute. Least I get fed and don’t spend money on food. Work with good people and have fun doing it. 2 days in YVR can be fun!
The soft pay needs to be fixed
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Old 02-16-2019, 03:18 PM
  #207  
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Originally Posted by Toby Flenderson View Post
Just finished training last week and I figured I can give an individual perspective.

I was in January 6th class. There were no issue with the company providing us air and ground transportation to Greensboro. As a matter of fact, crew scheduling and Brian called us during the travel day to confirm there weren't any hiccups.

1st day of class is pretty much orientation/paperwork/picture taking.
We were given 60 hours of CBT training prior to the class. Some received that training a month ahead of the class and some a week before the class. You can guess which of them finished it on time.

Ground school is basic indoctrination stuff. The instructor is calm and is an ex 121 airline guy. What I really liked about this airline is the fact that everyone from the top management came down and introduced themselves, gave their perspective and where the company is headed in future. The chief pilot is also pilot's guy.

Simulator training was also non issue. It is conducted at PanAm in Miami by Swift's instructor. Check ride is in classic 737 sim followed by LOFT training in NG. Guys that have had previous 121/corporate or any kind of fast paced airline experience had no issues. The guys that struggled were the ones that came from Tours/Instructing background. It is a fast paced course. We finished our training in 41 days. In my opinion, guys with no experience are better of going to regional to get more structured training.

Overall, company has a good head or heads on its shoulder. They want you to succeed and will work with you. Company is making money. Upgrades are less than a year. It definitely beats going to SUN COUNTRY. Most of us are waiting for IOE now. The government shutdown didn't help with releasing new Check Airmen. So far, my experience has been excellent and hope it continues in that direction.

*This is a non sponsored post. No donations were made for this post to appear.
Yes “the management” came by during my training class also.
Does he still tell you ‘safety is a priority as we are only one crash away from bankruptcy’?
I thought everything was great in the beginning also.
Write another post in 30 days, 60 days, 90 days and 6 months please.
Because right now honestly you haven’t seen anything.
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Old 02-16-2019, 04:27 PM
  #208  
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Originally Posted by TiredSoul View Post
Yes “the management” came by during my training class also.

Does he still tell you ‘safety is a priority as we are only one crash away from bankruptcy’?

I thought everything was great in the beginning also.

Write another post in 30 days, 60 days, 90 days and 6 months please.

Because right now honestly you haven’t seen anything.


Hold my beer!
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Old 02-16-2019, 04:41 PM
  #209  
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Also, everyone in our class got what they wanted. There were home bases awarded to the most junior guy. Not sure that’ll continue considering they’re short in Miami, but it has happened. 200% pickup emails are sent out on weekly basis.
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Old 02-17-2019, 02:04 AM
  #210  
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Can anyone tell me how long it would take for a new hire to hold IWA? How about as a CA? Average monthly credit and days off?
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