Any Empire Airlines current line holders out there willing to share info with a prospective brother in arms??? Thanks

Between jobs at one point, I responded to an advertisement for Empire, and had a phone interview. It was as far as I wanted to get, and told them so.

They seemed like nice enough folks. The job was for an ATR, flying between Ontario and Santa Barbara, in California. They money wasn't great, but it was a job. When it came to my turn to ask questions, I enquired about crew housing in Santa Barbara. Hotels are out; it's an expensive place. The base was ONT, with waiting the day at SBA.

Empire told me they had no crew housing at SBA. They said that usually the crew member would go hang out at the beach for the day. A crew car was passed along, that could be bought from the previous guy. Generally they just sleep in the car, and we let them pull it into the hangar for shade, they said.

You're okay with simply having the crew member sleep in his car, I asked. Of course, they replied. Its fine with us. Is that a problem?

Yes, big problem. I'm not okay with a company that's okay with that arragnement. I went elsewhere, and was glad I did. I'm sure a lot of aviators are quite happy there, but I probably won't be one of them.

Thanks for the reply, and glad you found something you like. I have been looking for a while now, and am happy to be looking at some options finally!! Thanks

FWIW SBA is a Empire base. You're supposed to live there, you RON in ONT. If XYZ airline bases you in ATL do you expect them to pay for your housing in ATL? There's plenty to do in SBA besides sleep in a car in the hangar. Beach, Mountain bike, hike, tennis, go to school, get a day job - or hang out at your apartment or house. I filled in for that run and had a great time. You can't get an easier flight either, 35 mins to ONT at 6 PM and 35 mins back at 730 AM.

I got an email offering a phone interview, it says to call them before a certain date. I have called several times but always get the voice mail, left a message and kept calling but did not want to leave any more messages.

Anyone can provide some info on this "phone interview"? Do they take long to call you back?
Apparently if they like you and offer you a real face to face inteview you have to pay for the flight up there.

They called me back that afternoon. The phone interview was about 2 weeks later. I turned downed the sim check part so cant say about traveling to the interview.

Anything new with empire? They sure have up' the pay for a 208. I wouldn't mind flying them in the PNW but how is QOL for 208 guys?