Originally Posted by
BaltimorePilot
Can anybody share some info on this company like QOL, schedules, benefits etc? I see the pay rates are staying the same but in this current market I think some 121 time and an Airbus Type might make me more competitive for the future. Currently working on the 135 side of the industry just over 1600TT
Quality of Life: Its a tough QOL. If you live in AEX and HRL than it isn't bad however if you are "Home Based" it sucks. Example: You typically Bid 18 days on and 12 off. Also, if you are junior, you could be stuck doing 36 days in a row.
Schedule: The most inefficient schedule's not to mention 12 Schedule changes in 1 day. Yes 1 day! For example: You are scheduled to operate 1 leg from AEX to EWR and then Deadhead for 4 additional legs. You do NOT get paid for deadheads, so you were on duty for 16 hours and got paid for 2. Another example is the Miami Kinston Miami. You typically depart at 10am and its a 1.5 hour flight and have to sit in Kingston for 5-6 hours and then operate back. So you worked 11-12 hours and got paid for 3. The scheduling team is horrible. They do not respect seniority; they cost the company 100's of thousands of dollars because of there lack of common sense.
Doing deportation flying isn't for everyone and it's not fun. On some flights there will be women, kids, and infants and that's what makes the job hard. The catering is terrible: We were given AppleBee's Burger that was order 10 hours ago because again scheduling has zero clue on what's going on. You will finish a 20-hour duty day just to get to the hotel and for the clerk to tell you scheduling did not book you a room, so you have to sit for an hour and wait while that gets figured out. The Chief Pilot wants to be on his boat and completely checked out. His best friend from previous airline is the Director of Operations and the CP daughter is the Assistant Director of Operations. This is a VERY poorly ran airline and not to mention the pay isn't worth the headache. No Union so you are at the mercy of the company. There is talks voting in the Teamsters union. Premium pay trips go to Scheduling's favorite pilots. Lots of Direct Entry Captains with language and cultural barriers. FO's: some are hired with 1500 hours from a Cessna so that's also not the safest thing in my opinion.
If you have options that have a smooth-running operation I would recommend that. If you have Absolutely nowhere to go and don't mind being used and abused and underpaid, then this is the place for you.