Originally Posted by JLTD

As a DEC that has left CommuteAir, I can say that you WILL be abused. The contract and (by extension) MEC are very weak on behalf of the pilots. Don't count on your days off being your days off, I was "operationally extended" into my day off at least once a month I was there - often when I had requested, and received, days off that were really needed. Once it was into my 7th day! (for a deadhead...legal by 117 but....) and another was into day 6 because the CA that they pulled off didn't have 30 hours prior to his next week....they could have just removed the first turn of his next rotation and called a reserve, but decided to abuse someone instead....which leads to: If they do you a favor, it's likely to be in the most malicious or uncomfortable way possible.

And your bid? Yeah don't count on that ever staying the same, with the "Line Improvement Period" they can and will adjust your awarded days off however they want. Very hard line and "we own you" was implied.
(To be fair I felt sorry for the schedulers, the ones that we talked to anyway. They were almost always brand new with virtually no experience and someone was whispering in their ear with what to say.)

The bonus: it's real, paid by Big Daddy, but there are strings attached they won't tell you about until they put the paper in front of you to sign. You'll be on the hook for the entire pre-tax amount, even though Uncle Sam will take about 32%. (It's a 2-year deal and if you stay 1 year you only owe 1/2 back). Most of the pilots in my class put theirs in a money market account in preparation for leaving, many left within the first year and paid it back...said their accountant would file an amendment to recoup the taxes paid. I had an attorney check the contract, and it's pretty solid, and they told me that C5 has filed at least 9 lawsuits in the last 18 months to sue pilots who were balking at paying it back. Also, the credit for your 121 time? Yeah they give it BUT it is frozen until you stay there long enough (ex: you get 5 years credit. You won't get a raise until year 6, and it's to year 6 pay). The bonus only gives credit for pay, not for any other benefits. PSA is a better choice for that, they give credit for 121 time for both pay and all benefits.

Leaving: rumor has it they are currently losing 8 pilots per day (in fairness, balanced partly by hiring). Keeping in touch with the few I still know there, I know of 3 DECs that left in the last month and paid their bonuses back. There is a mass exodus going on right now, and it started while I was there with most everyone talking about leaving and how bad we were treated. Since C5 pays pretty much bottom barrel in the industry, engages in abusive scheduling of Captains, has First Officers sitting airport reserve for 6-8 months, it will likely only get worse. Apparently the union has put out an email saying they are meeting with management to address the pay situation but I would take odds against any meaningful results.

There are some good people there for sure, and the Chief Pilots are decent guys for the most part. If you're high seniority you have it good; but as a Captain on reserve, not so much. Maintenance is top notch, no complaints there and no one complains if you write up so much as a light bulb.

Bitter a little? Yup. Especially since "Caring" is one of their core values. They only care about keeping the schedule, at the expense of the hardworking pilots - which I understand - but read the above again.

Looking back, I should have chosen a different path.