Questions for line pilots
07-09-2021, 07:02 PM
#41
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2016
Posts: 1,015
Originally Posted by ilsbird
Would like to ask the current group of line pilots something that has me curious. Last year in 2020 just prior to the pandemic, I applied with G4 with 3 internal recs and instantly got a invite to take an online assessement. After successfully going through that stage, I was invited for a one on one interview with the Flight Ops and HR team in Las Vegas. My interview was confirmed and scheduled with the Chief Pilot at that time. Unfortunately, COVID hit and all went to downhill as everything shutdown and interview was cancelled. I was constantly in touch with the HR team and pilot recruitment team as I was very eager to come on board with G4 for various reasons and have a career and good qol. Few months ago I touched base with the current recruitment team and i was advised the window opening soon and please re-apply as my last year app and confirmed interview wont count as it has been a year. I accepted that and I applied in the current window, still with 3 internal recs from current G4 pilots. I am still with the same company I was when I applied last year and actively flying so nothing changed apart from more flying time obviously. Surprisingly I was expecting a call for an interview at least as I did meet the criteria last year and had a interview but today received a TBNT. So this has got me questioning the criteria now, I respect and understand there are alot of pilots and good competitive candidates out there now compared to last year but if I was offered a interview last year, what has changed their mentality to not offer me one this time when things are picking up. Like I said no hard feelings, I accept and respect the decision and life moves on, I am thankful to have a job and flying in a 121 carrier but the recruiting process does make me curious for sure. Just a little info on my experience, (4500TT, 3000 121 turbine, 4 121 type ratings, clean FAA record)
07-10-2021, 01:14 AM
#42
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 77
Originally Posted by ilsbird
Would like to ask the current group of line pilots something that has me curious. Last year in 2020 just prior to the pandemic, I applied with G4 with 3 internal recs and instantly got a invite to take an online assessement. After successfully going through that stage, I was invited for a one on one interview with the Flight Ops and HR team in Las Vegas. My interview was confirmed and scheduled with the Chief Pilot at that time. Unfortunately, COVID hit and all went to downhill as everything shutdown and interview was cancelled. I was constantly in touch with the HR team and pilot recruitment team as I was very eager to come on board with G4 for various reasons and have a career and good qol. Few months ago I touched base with the current recruitment team and i was advised the window opening soon and please re-apply as my last year app and confirmed interview wont count as it has been a year. I accepted that and I applied in the current window, still with 3 internal recs from current G4 pilots. I am still with the same company I was when I applied last year and actively flying so nothing changed apart from more flying time obviously. Surprisingly I was expecting a call for an interview at least as I did meet the criteria last year and had a interview but today received a TBNT. So this has got me questioning the criteria now, I respect and understand there are alot of pilots and good competitive candidates out there now compared to last year but if I was offered a interview last year, what has changed their mentality to not offer me one this time when things are picking up. Like I said no hard feelings, I accept and respect the decision and life moves on, I am thankful to have a job and flying in a 121 carrier but the recruiting process does make me curious for sure. Just a little info on my experience, (4500TT, 3000 121 turbine, 4 121 type ratings, clean FAA record)
07-10-2021, 03:03 AM
#43
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 230
Same boat
Ilsbird, I am in the EXACT same boat. I was invited to interview in Vegas last year and I was in the first interview class that got canceled. I have internal recs and nothing has changed on my end either. After speaking with them on the phone this time, I was left with a warm fuzzy about at least getting an interview and thought they would essentially pick up where we left off. I don’t have all of my eggs in this basket, but I definitely had high hopes on this one.
07-10-2021, 04:07 AM
#44
Line Holder
Joined APC: Mar 2011
Posts: 32
Sadly, this is just the way things work at Allegiant. I would recommend that you have your internal rec contact HR and one of the chief pilots and explain what happened. This is a small company and an email to a chief would likely go a long way.
07-10-2021, 06:41 AM
#45
It's 5 o'clock somewhere
Joined APC: Oct 2020
Posts: 1,865
This is the way things work here. This is just a taste of what it's like to work here. Total disorganization. Rarely keep their word. Talk to 5 people and get 5 different stories.
It's been beat to death that if you can limit your exposure to management and crew services, it's the best job ever.
The more you deal with Vegas or at their mercy, the higher the suck.
If you got TBNT I'd say immediately reapply. In the past, there was no time limit. It's probably not you, it's them. I've heard rumors that the computer automatically purges between interview cycles (monthly).
Also keep in mind that since last year, 2 large regionals shut down and there's a lot of highly qualified pilots still looking for work. The competitive scene may have changed. But it won't last long. In a year, G4 is going to be begging pilots to come here with the current rate of legacy hiring. So if you really want to work here, keep trying. If you were kind of meh about it, consider this your wake up call to apply elsewhere.
It's been beat to death that if you can limit your exposure to management and crew services, it's the best job ever.
The more you deal with Vegas or at their mercy, the higher the suck.
If you got TBNT I'd say immediately reapply. In the past, there was no time limit. It's probably not you, it's them. I've heard rumors that the computer automatically purges between interview cycles (monthly).
Also keep in mind that since last year, 2 large regionals shut down and there's a lot of highly qualified pilots still looking for work. The competitive scene may have changed. But it won't last long. In a year, G4 is going to be begging pilots to come here with the current rate of legacy hiring. So if you really want to work here, keep trying. If you were kind of meh about it, consider this your wake up call to apply elsewhere.
07-10-2021, 10:50 AM
#47
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 230
Thanks guys for the honest input. I am going to keep trying-and probably take Tom’s advice. I’ve read the forums and I probably speak for many pilots when I say thanks for the information. All of the good AND all of the bad. I definitely don’t have all of my eggs in this basket, but it does offer a lot that I don’t have now. It may not be the dream job of everyone, but it is definitely all about perspective. Flying corporate with no schedule, being on call 24/7 sucks. I have stuck around because I am home most nights, so I sell myself on the fact that I can be home for all the important events in life. 2 days ago, I did 4 legs with a 17.5 hour duty day. My daughter was asleep when I left and in bed when I got home. That’s pretty normal. On my last anniversary, while eating dinner with my wife, I get a call to go to the airport. “Life or death.” We cancel our order and rush to the airport with no clue what we are there for. After 3 hours and as many attempts to reach them, he finally calls back he no longer needs me, but doesn’t answer the phone when he is having dinner with his wife. I missed 2 of my last 3 anniversaries, 2 of my wife’s last 4 birthdays and 3 of the last 4 birthdays of my daughter. Might as well have been at an airline.
On top of that, I am only allowed to use vacation on a Friday-Monday(can’t take a full week off). A normal week Includes managing maintenance, cleaning the hangars, updating databases, scrubbing toilets, cleaning the plane-including the urine off the floor when they can’t hit the mark, setting up hotels and rental cars, driving the passengers to their meeting location, shop for catering, find a contract pilot that can make the trip. then show up at 430 to prefilght the aircraft and plan the flight, wait a few hours on the passengers……..aaaaaaand the flight cancels. Those tasks, along with the ones I left off are reason to believe that the grass may be greener over there for me. In all honesty, I am not even complaining, but I am burning the candle at both ends and I am just exhausted all the time.
On top of that, I am only allowed to use vacation on a Friday-Monday(can’t take a full week off). A normal week Includes managing maintenance, cleaning the hangars, updating databases, scrubbing toilets, cleaning the plane-including the urine off the floor when they can’t hit the mark, setting up hotels and rental cars, driving the passengers to their meeting location, shop for catering, find a contract pilot that can make the trip. then show up at 430 to prefilght the aircraft and plan the flight, wait a few hours on the passengers……..aaaaaaand the flight cancels. Those tasks, along with the ones I left off are reason to believe that the grass may be greener over there for me. In all honesty, I am not even complaining, but I am burning the candle at both ends and I am just exhausted all the time.
07-10-2021, 11:11 AM
#48
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2018
Posts: 202
Originally Posted by PICsf340
Thanks guys for the honest input. I am going to keep trying-and probably take Tom’s advice. I’ve read the forums and I probably speak for many pilots when I say thanks for the information. All of the good AND all of the bad. I definitely don’t have all of my eggs in this basket, but it does offer a lot that I don’t have now. It may not be the dream job of everyone, but it is definitely all about perspective. Flying corporate with no schedule, being on call 24/7 sucks. I have stuck around because I am home most nights, so I sell myself on the fact that I can be home for all the important events in life. 2 days ago, I did 4 legs with a 17.5 hour duty day. My daughter was asleep when I left and in bed when I got home. That’s pretty normal. On my last anniversary, while eating dinner with my wife, I get a call to go to the airport. “Life or death.” We cancel our order and rush to the airport with no clue what we are there for. After 3 hours and as many attempts to reach them, he finally calls back he no longer needs me, but doesn’t answer the phone when he is having dinner with his wife. I missed 2 of my last 3 anniversaries, 2 of my wife’s last 4 birthdays and 3 of the last 4 birthdays of my daughter. Might as well have been at an airline.
On top of that, I am only allowed to use vacation on a Friday-Monday(can’t take a full week off). A normal week Includes managing maintenance, cleaning the hangars, updating databases, scrubbing toilets, cleaning the plane-including the urine off the floor when they can’t hit the mark, setting up hotels and rental cars, driving the passengers to their meeting location, shop for catering, find a contract pilot that can make the trip. then show up at 430 to prefilght the aircraft and plan the flight, wait a few hours on the passengers……..aaaaaaand the flight cancels. Those tasks, along with the ones I left off are reason to believe that the grass may be greener over there for me. In all honesty, I am not even complaining, but I am burning the candle at both ends and I am just exhausted all the time.
On top of that, I am only allowed to use vacation on a Friday-Monday(can’t take a full week off). A normal week Includes managing maintenance, cleaning the hangars, updating databases, scrubbing toilets, cleaning the plane-including the urine off the floor when they can’t hit the mark, setting up hotels and rental cars, driving the passengers to their meeting location, shop for catering, find a contract pilot that can make the trip. then show up at 430 to prefilght the aircraft and plan the flight, wait a few hours on the passengers……..aaaaaaand the flight cancels. Those tasks, along with the ones I left off are reason to believe that the grass may be greener over there for me. In all honesty, I am not even complaining, but I am burning the candle at both ends and I am just exhausted all the time.
07-11-2021, 02:18 AM
#49
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2018
Posts: 752
Originally Posted by PICsf340
Thanks guys for the honest input. I am going to keep trying-and probably take Tom’s advice. I’ve read the forums and I probably speak for many pilots when I say thanks for the information. All of the good AND all of the bad. I definitely don’t have all of my eggs in this basket, but it does offer a lot that I don’t have now. It may not be the dream job of everyone, but it is definitely all about perspective. Flying corporate with no schedule, being on call 24/7 sucks. I have stuck around because I am home most nights, so I sell myself on the fact that I can be home for all the important events in life. 2 days ago, I did 4 legs with a 17.5 hour duty day. My daughter was asleep when I left and in bed when I got home. That’s pretty normal. On my last anniversary, while eating dinner with my wife, I get a call to go to the airport. “Life or death.” We cancel our order and rush to the airport with no clue what we are there for. After 3 hours and as many attempts to reach them, he finally calls back he no longer needs me, but doesn’t answer the phone when he is having dinner with his wife. I missed 2 of my last 3 anniversaries, 2 of my wife’s last 4 birthdays and 3 of the last 4 birthdays of my daughter. Might as well have been at an airline.
On top of that, I am only allowed to use vacation on a Friday-Monday(can’t take a full week off). A normal week Includes managing maintenance, cleaning the hangars, updating databases, scrubbing toilets, cleaning the plane-including the urine off the floor when they can’t hit the mark, setting up hotels and rental cars, driving the passengers to their meeting location, shop for catering, find a contract pilot that can make the trip. then show up at 430 to prefilght the aircraft and plan the flight, wait a few hours on the passengers……..aaaaaaand the flight cancels. Those tasks, along with the ones I left off are reason to believe that the grass may be greener over there for me. In all honesty, I am not even complaining, but I am burning the candle at both ends and I am just exhausted all the time.
On top of that, I am only allowed to use vacation on a Friday-Monday(can’t take a full week off). A normal week Includes managing maintenance, cleaning the hangars, updating databases, scrubbing toilets, cleaning the plane-including the urine off the floor when they can’t hit the mark, setting up hotels and rental cars, driving the passengers to their meeting location, shop for catering, find a contract pilot that can make the trip. then show up at 430 to prefilght the aircraft and plan the flight, wait a few hours on the passengers……..aaaaaaand the flight cancels. Those tasks, along with the ones I left off are reason to believe that the grass may be greener over there for me. In all honesty, I am not even complaining, but I am burning the candle at both ends and I am just exhausted all the time.
As a former 91/135 guy, we have a good perspective on what really is the suck and what's just "not as good as it could be". I think you'll enjoy your time at Allegiant if you get hired on. I know a few prior 135 guys that jumped to Allegiant a few years back and they all love it. It may not be "the big show" so to speak, but its a HECK of a lot better than being on call for your wives or daughters birthday dinner. (yes I know there is reserve at G4 but go with me all..)
Good luck bud, hope you get out of the on call drivel. I did it for 6 years of nearly 24/7 on call and will never go back to that crap. Guys that try to reason with saying well, I only got used once or twice last week... yeah, but you couldn't go 5 hours away on a whim, and you couldn't go play beer pong at 9 am if you wanted to. Soooo.
07-11-2021, 04:33 AM
#50
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2012
Posts: 230
Man, Crockett. Your last statement hit the nail on the head. The quantity of time can be up there, but the quality of time is worthless. When you go outside to cut the grass, every time you get to the end and turn around you have to check the phone to make sure you didn’t miss something. Or when you have your phone on silent while you are in the chair at the dentist office because they “approved” your dental appointment and you get up and have 9 missed calls you know that they have you on a much shorter leash than your wife ever could! Glad to know that folks understand. It is even better to hear that at least some have found a way to chaff off the leash and escape!
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