OK, I forgot to ask. I heard a rumor that after working at SAI it will be really hard to get another job and that the airlines will not look at you, in essence you are "blacklisted" if SAI is in the resume.
Has anyone else heard or can confirm something about that, or is this this just BS?
I appreciate the input!

 

No, you will not be blacklisted for your time at SAI.
There had been a greater than average change of being pushed to bend a rule here or there in the not so distant past. The relative inexperience of HQ staff made scheduling or dispatch errors more probable. Which of course could lead to a black mark on your record and an additional hurdle to overcome in getting on with a more reputable airline. Not the same thing at all.

DH and LL are awesome in the CP office. They will do everything they can to support the line pilot. That won't make the bid packet any more attractive or productive. It won't change the company's view of pilots as a easily replaced commodity. It won't make scheduling any more efficient or fair. It won't make the 737 op suck any less, or the 777 op any more family friendly.

SAI can be a reasonable place to work. Pay on the 777 does not suck as bad as an RJ FO. You become adjusted to the schedule in time. 737 CA if you live in or near CVG is a difficult, but doable job.

This is not a good job. It is at best an acceptable job in certain circumstances. It is unlikely to improve very much, ever. Despite impending contract negotiations. Use extreme caution in accepting a position at SAI. Avoid 737 FO like it is a nasty STD. It is not nearly as much fun. RJ Captain, if that is available to you, is a better gig than SAI newhire.

 

United, Southwest, Alaska, UPS, Spirit, and Atlas are just some of the places that SAI pilots have recently left for.

 

The relevant question for those of you looking to move on to one of these places, is will time at Southern increase my chances of being selected to interview? There is not one right answer to that question. It depends on the quality and quantity of your previous experience. If you have a RJ Captaincy, that is probably a better gig, unless the 737 type is a the key you need to open the gate. If you have a family, the lifestyle at Southern, on either equipment, may be too disruptive. You think a four day trip is long? At Southern you're just getting warmed up. And of course the epic gap between training and IOE is a financial nightmare, and is not conducive to mastering the aircraft either.

Use your Threat Error Management skills to determine if the potential rewards outweigh the known risks of taking a job at SAI.

 

Robthree & Birdstrikes,

Thank you for your input. I would have liked to work at SAI but I just got the email from HR saying I didn't make the cut this time
Maybe that's a good thing though who knows.

Cheers!

 

I'd hope a 777 pilot makes a better wage than an RJ FO.

 

$59 times 60 hr. guarantee for 20 on/10 off (plus per diem). Do your own math.

 

It actually went up lol. For the 777 the FYP is $62.33 w/60 hrs/mo guarantee and the 737 is $61.22 with 61 hrs/mo guarantee... You will never break guarantee in the 737 since they fly 35-45 hrs/mo on average. In the 777 you can make a decent coin (still subpart to other 777 jobs) but at least is better than the RJ guys though!

 

What is 2nd-5th year pay (hourly rate) like on the T7?

 

I only know until year 4 in the 777. Again, year one is $62.33, year two is $67.91... $72.03, and $76.54.

Maybe some of the guys in this forum know the rest. Hope that helps