Southern Air Interview
 

All,

Got an email to interview for either the 777 or the 737. I'm attracted to the 777 for the home basing and the interesting flying. I admittedly don't know much about the company apart from what's on APC and the forum. Most of the discussion seems to be regarding the 737 which I don't have much interest in since it would require a move to CVG.

Can anybody tell me what I might be betting myself in to with this company?

I got the same notice... I am wondering the same info and also wondering how far in the future are they gonna be hiring? Should i jump at this oppertunity?

All the 777 does is 10-14 hour legs. It might seem attractive now, but give it a few months, it gets old quick.
I had some friends that worked there and left. The sense I got from them was it was ok. Not good and not bad.
No CASS or jumpseating though.

Hopefully for you, they don't administer a spelling test.

Highly doubtful you'll see the 777. It's senior, there are only four of them, and they won't be getting any more.

Otherwise, awful place that just gets worse. Almost non existent contract language for the 737.

Suddern Air has been in the CASS system for almost a year now. They still don't have reciprocal agreements with some of the big guys, but for the most part you can jumpseat on most of the regionals and cargo companies...

Do you live in the Cincinnati area? Might be a good option. Otherwise, the company is quickly becoming nothing more than a stepping stone...

First time poster, but I couldn't sit on the sidelines and let some of the SAI internet experts give you false information.

Classes are planned over the next few months for both the B777 and B737 to cover attrition. The B747 fleet will shrink from the current 3 to one after the first of the year. The B747 pilots will flow to the B777 or B737. A few will be able to hold the left seat of the 777 but most will end up senior to you in the right seat.

Pilots choosing to commute to CVG for the B737 are doing so for three main reasons: To gain the turbine PIC time they may be lacking to enable them to move on. Or secondly, the small pay differential between captain pay in the B737 at guarantee (61 hours) or FO pay in the 777 flying 80-100 hours a month. Lastly, because they just can not stand peeling that fourth stripe off after being a captain for many years. Keep in mind that night hub turns are difficult on your body. IMO much worse than long haul. If you've ever spent time in the cafeteria at 2am in Memphis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Dayton, etc you'll agree. That type of flying makes you old, grumpy and bitter. Most are doing it as posted previously as a stepping stone. We have CASS but lack AA, DL, and UAL. Without those three, commuting to CVG is difficult at best.

The Cincinnati B777 trips start in CVG and continue to Bahrain, Hong Kong and return to CVG (quick turn in ANC on Friday/Saturday) 6 days later. Los Angeles trips start in LAX, continue to Leipzig, Germany, Hong Kong, and then return to LAX 6 days later. There are some oddball weekend trips to East Midlands, UK and Sharjah, UAE but that's about it for variety. You'll pretty much fly every other day and make 2-3 laps around the planet per month. Each trip is worth about 34-36 hours of flying. Almost all trips are now flown with a 4 pilot crew (1 CA, 3 FO/IRO's). The company buys you a ticket to/from work. Days off are usually in one clump of a CBA minimum of 10-11 days to 18 if they don't use your week of reserve that most lines contain.

If you need turbine PIC choose the B737. If you want to round out your resume with worldwide, international experience choose the B777. Left seat of the Triple is very senior!

Most of the negative comments you read here on APC are from the so called "internet experts" I referenced above. They have a friend of a friend who spent time here and hated it. Others, like Potato Chip were probably sexually abused by the company a couple of years ago when we were in a similar situation. We needed meat in the seat but there was a looming downsizing of the Classic. Pilots were hired, sat around, finally attended ground school on nothing but perdiem, sat waiting for OE on nothing but perdiem, finally got to the line 9 months later and then got furloughed not long after. I'd be bitter too.

If you are expecting to have your hand held, pampered, cuddled, etc then flying for any Supplemental Carrier is not for you. If you need the security of a mature pilot group that has a long fought for, well-written contract than SAI is not for you. If you want to fly arguably the best airliner Boeing has built to date (B777) around the world or are willing to risk the uncertainties of time to upgrade in the B737 than Southern might be a good choice. However, keep in mind there could be furloughs again as the B747 fleet more than likey shrinks after the first of the year. Whether you leave a current job for SAI depends on your job security risk tolerance. Your Mileage May Vary!

I hope this helps and wish you the best in whatever choice you make. There are many that have left SAI unhappy. However, there are even more that left for greener pastures and look back fondly at all the good times, crazy adventures, great crews, and a novel's worth of stories that can cover just about any interview question you may get in the future that begins with "tell us about a time that......".

... And greatest post of all-time goes to...!!!

Thank you for your time and insight on SAI!

Agreed! Very informative and done with class.

I responded to Debi in HR and said I wouldnt be able to make the interview date in Dec. I am wondering how far in the future hiring will continue?