Virgin America Inc. is about to hire the first of roughly 100 pilots it wants to add in 2006 as the startup airline continues preparations to start flying this year.
The Burlingame-based airline said it will begin by hiring six pilots. Those six need to be veteran flyers because they will help Virgin America as it seeks necessary regulatory approvals. Virgin America said it is reviewing pilot resumes and will make job offers around March 1. Training will start in April.
Even as it prepares to hire pilots, Virgin America must get separate approvals from the Federal Aviation Administration and U.S. Department of Transportation before it can start carrying passengers.
The Transportation Department review has been slowed by protests from rival airlines and airline labor unions. They allege Virgin America's application is incomplete. They also challenge whether Virgin America is controlled by U.S. citizens, as required by law, or by British entrepreneur Richard Branson. Branson's Virgin Group Ltd. has invested some of the airline's $177 million in startup cash and controls 25 percent of the airline's voting stock.
Virgin America, in its application to federal regulators, said it meets U.S. ownership requirements. The company said its principal investor, which controls 75 percent of voting rights, is U.S.-based VAI Partners LLC, an investment company formed by private equity firms Black Canyon Capital LLC and Cyrus Capital Partners LP. The airline last week filed paperwork with the Transportation Department saying its application is complete and asked that the review process move ahead. "Virgin America is aware of no legitimate due process or other reason for the continued suspension of the normal procedural schedule," the airline wrote in its filing.
"All we're trying to do is get the process back on its normal track," said Fred Reid, Virgin America CEO. Reid has said he expects the airline to fly this year. But that will happen only if the federal review concludes within the next several months.
Virgin America said rival airlines are stalling the startup company's application "in an effort to protect themselves from the competition" that Virgin America represents.
Virgin America plans to offer domestic service and low fares like Southwest Airlines Co. and Jetblue Airways Corp. Virgin America licenses Branson's brand name but is not part of other airlines begun by Branson, which include London-based Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd.
Position: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
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Virgin is still no closer to getting the DOT economic approval to be an airline. While the holding company is a 100% US company, a ruse to get around the 25% ownership limitation, the DOT still has questions they need answered.
Former actor, if you wish to call the Governor of CA such, fired off a letter to the DOT so they will issue the economic authority to be an airline. May be Arnold should reprise his terminator role and lean on them.
Just what we need is a loudmouthed Brit slumlord setting up another low-ball airline here in the states
Hey Branson is one of the greatest entrepreneur's ever. He has done so much. And it will be him that will be remembered for bringing about a new era, the era of space tourism.
I know the US does not need another airline, but Branson is a very very good business man.
Hey Branson is one of the greatest entrepreneur's ever. He has done so much. And it will be him that will be remembered for bringing about a new era, the era of space tourism.
I know the US does not need another airline, but Branson is a very very good business man.
Maybe he'll get an award for being "low cost carrier of the year" so that he and Johnny O can celebrate jointly.
Being a good businessman isn't always the same as doing what is best for the common good, taking care of people, and enriching the lives of the human race. I'd like for it to be, but sometimes it is more about saving money, cutting costs (including labor), and maximizing profits.
The trouble is that what makes a "regional airline of the year" by some standards makes a sad story for some... and hopefully Branson's company won't be a parallel to that story.
He's done lots....borne on the backs of the slave-labor wages paid employees that he employs....just wait and see what the terms and conditions of his airline will be....the "Mesa" of jet airlines....L.R. with a brit accent...just a bit more charisma
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