Also our interim training manager who comes from a legacy seems to be advocating you have to do interview prep and know ETOPS. I say that’s BS. I believe you prepare for the job you want but you should not be extorted in the process. So for those interested in applying and don’t have ETOPS experience browse the AC-120. It’s free and in particular read the contingency procedures. Also think about what speed you’d fly. Those with prior experience should know the CRZ page will give you the data off the Engine Out LSK. You fly that speed. That should cover the ETOPS stuff.

If you interview here know the basics of any interview. Hold speeds. Airspace. You can use the aviation interview gouge from Delta, Atlas, or anywhere else and be well prepared. You do NOT need a useless $200 dollar prep. There are pilots here who’ve helped guys out recently. We can if you ask via a PM or on here help you. We are getting 2 more 200s in January. We are in need of good people. Are we perfect? No. We are trying though to make this place better. Only you know what’s best for you. But for those looking and considering here I wanted you to not buy into the BS of spending money. Personally we have too many “saviors” we’ve given shelter to from this economic storm who are flunking at reinventing the wheel here. Caveat Emptor and good luck to all.

 

I really appreciate you sharing this, I am one of those hopeful candidates, low time but with high hopes with high hopes.

 

What are competitive times? I’ve got an app in but haven’t heard anything.

 

Couple questions.

What is the current status the contract negotiations?

Any idea what some of the expected QOL improvements will be?

 

Fair questions. First off we have not begun anything in relations to contract. In process of electing MEC and transiting from our Temp officers. That should wrap up by end of January or early February. Honestly with it being peak, being incredibly short staffed and a host of other stuff I don’t know if we will start taking the steps to open contract talks this month. I’m not in a position to speak on behalf of the union on that. It’s been a flurry of activity and a lot must still get done.

As for expectations? Again I cannot comment as the union has not even had its common strategy planning yet. But it’s a safe bet that increases wages, better healthcare benefits and retirement, scheduling and home basing are big issues. Many pilots want home basing. At least those I’ve flown with these past 3 months. We’re just getting started on a lot so not much I can share on this. Look to be totally honest it’s looking like a total boilerplate rebuild with at or better than industry standards as the marks. But as you know how quickly those issues get resolved depends on how quickly a union and company can agree on things. And there within lies the unknown. The good thing however is that two of the former upper executive management that made things difficult are no longer with the company so that’s a start. Wish I could truly give you specific examples but I cannot. I can only speak on very general terms.

 

We, like anyone else, have been flooded by resumes. And unfortunately for some reason all of our classes had been filled with expats and major airline furloughs. It has not worked out that well as some went back due to their airlines, others quit and some just do nothing but whine about everything. The latter are the ones who need to shut up and just be grateful for the job. But that’s my personal opinion.

The two recent classes they hired had a more blended structure of pilots. So it’s honestly been all over the place. Our HR are notoriously slow and at times have been hard to get ahold of. They may have forgotten. We don’t have pilot recruiting like some airlines. It’s our DO, CP and director of training along with a few others. Basically folks wearing multiple hats sometimes. As such if you have a pint of contact here you’ve got to follow up routinely it seems. And that’s including those with internal recs. Good luck. We will be adding more 200s in January and expanding. So we need good folks here.

 

Thank you for the reply. It seems encouraging and that things are moving in a positive direction. I have an interview next week and so far I like what I’ve been hearing from people I know and on here.

 

We have all been there in our career. You’ll need an ATP (unrestricted) and you are competing against a lot of guys with high time. But so what? Keep banging on the doors and let them tell you “no”. Eventually somebody is going to give you a shot. Good luck and don’t give up. Yeah it’s rough right now but persistence pays off.

 

Are there further growth plans past the additional 200s in 21'?

 

I suspect so. We put in a bid for both 200 and 300 for DHL flying. There were 8-9 on each contract I think. We now have 4 of those 200’s and we think we will be awarded more. Not sure on the 300 side. There was an unknown client asking if we could operate up to 5 757 but due to current staffing I’ve no clue. And they’ve even discussed larger equipment in the future. We all know believe it when you see it, when you’re in a class when it comes to that stuff. But candidly given our staffing needs even if we don’t take on all of it we will be hiring and upgrading guys. But I’m just a line pilot. All of those decisions however are far above my pay grade.