Originally Posted by
tone
Hypothetically, if the expansion happens, when may you start screening new pilots to fill seats? Also, I read that pilots get 8 days off per month. If some are soft days, do you check in to see if you indeed have off, and if so, on that day are you not on call? Also, if you have to work on that soft day would they offer another in its place later that month? I'm not looking for some kind of cushy airline work rules, just wondering if EFI is a little better than most part 135/corporate-charter. When I work, I am willing to work hard, and just want to count on some days to recoop. I am willing to relocate if so. Thanks.
We are always screening pilots. We try and always keep at least 3 pilots in the hiring pool at any one time. I was told that we would be given 2 to 3 months lead time to hire pilots for the aformentioned expansion so I am not concerned with stepping up the recruiting efforts yet.
Days off is an area that I have been trying to improve over the past four years since I became Chief Pilot. The system we have in place is actually pretty good. Each aircraft is staffed with a Lead Pilot, PIC, and SIC. Each individual crew agrees on the days that they want off and then submits them to be incorporated into the next months days off schedule. A soft day becomes a hard day at 1800 the preceding day. Pilots can schedule 6 hard days in a row with soft days on either end if they can make it fit considering vacation days and planned training events. Pilots average 15 days of actually working each month.
You really cannot compare any General Aviation job with the "cushey" airline schedule as most GA jobs cater to more of an "on demand" clientel. We do staff the aircraft adequately enough to have a pretty good quality of life for our crews when compared to other similar companies and yes I think we are a much better company than the average 135 operator.
As far as cost of living goes, it was discussed on previous posts in this thread. If you do not feel that you can live on Long Island at the wages presented then you should go elsewhere. My advice is to live where you want and try and find a job in that area.