Omni to FedEx
 

I know FedEx won't be hiring too soon but would it be prudent for a captain at a regional to go to Omni as a stepping stone for FedEx to get a DC10/757 type? Are there any ex-Omni guys at FedEx that could vouch for that. A buddy of mine just got hired there but I know nothing about Omni except what little is available on APC. Any insider info would be greatly appreciated.

Yes, Nothing like bigger a/c and international experience..

How much turbine PIC do you have? FedEx requires at least 1000 hours turbine PIC. Do you meet all the other requirements? I might lean towards staying a RJ captain versus going to a F/O slot at Omni.

I'd keep those plans to myself..........
 

Hey Tumbleweed,

I see what you're trying to ask and all, but maybe it's not a good idea to post that on a message board. Management types come here all the time, so I'd keep those plans to myself lest Omni mgmt. is reading here and then you show up at an interview as that regional guy trying to get on at Omni.

Take Care and be careful.

In Unity,

B727DRVR:cool:

Not to be a complete smartass,

BUT....

Is he going to show up at Omni with Tumbleweed on his resume?

Doubtful.

Will Omni have any way of knowing that he wants to bail and get on at FedEx? Not any more than the other 90% of Omni pilots, so he's fine. (Not a jab at Omni pilots, just trying to make a point).

As for Tumbleweed: we went through a spasm of hiring international heavy jet guys a couple of years ago, but I don't think that will happen again. PIC time is golden, jet PIC time is better and 121 jet PIC time is the best. If you have at least 1,000 hrs jet PIC then the move to Omni might be worthwhile to get the international time, but if you are looking at a pay cut it's probably not worth it.

Good luck with your career!

Leave it to a whale guys to say bigger it better! :eek: My wife tells me thats not true!

Good point, Pilot141. LOL!
 

Yeah pilot141,

You're probably right..... It's just that most of the Omni pilots that I know, and I know quite a few, do not come from the regional background. I was just worried that someone there might remember his/her post. But I wouldn't be paranoid if everybody weren't against me:D.

Good Luck Tumblweed!

In Unity,

B727DRVR:cool:

Constructive Posts!
 

Thanks a lot gentlemen. The only requirement I lack for FedEx is the FE written. I think it would be wise for me to stay with my present employer through at least the Fall to see where the dust will settle. In the mean time, I would like to know more about the schedules, lifestyles at Omni. It would be a pay cut for me for the first few years but considering the experience you gain, it almost seems like a wash. I see that you are home based which leads me to suspect that you are probably away from home for long periods of time (two weeks at a time?). For a family guy, that might be enough reason not to go there, although the commuting game is getting harder and harder to hack with fewer flights and seats available to us. Also, I have FedEx jumps every once in a while at my present job (which is nice since I don't bleed purple and don't have any family at FedEx) but I doubt I would cross paths with anyone at Omni unless a lot of guys are moving on from Omni to FedEx. It seems sometimes there are so many paths to the common goal, that you are overwhelmed with the possibilities, especially since some paths are considerably shorter than others.

But if they are REALLY against you then you aren't paranoid!

One other thing to consider right now is the stability of a job move. If you are sitting pretty on your current seniority list and not in threat of being furloughed, I would think long and hard about going to the bottom of a list, especially at a small company like Omni (no offense intended to the Omni folks). Paying the bills right now seems to be the smart thing to do.

Actually Omni is one of the most profitable airlines in the world. They have been consistently profitable for many years now. The downside is the reason they are so profitable is they pay their pilots sh*t! And the schedule is horrible. The guys you would fly with for the most part are first rate and know their stuff! It was a great learning experience for me.

Tumbleweed is doing the right thing by asking questions and doing a little research before making any decision. I would think that QOL would become an issue at least. The difference between flying for a scheduled airline and a non scheduled airline is huge. The other posters are right in their support of turbine PIC time, IMHO. If you think that being away for a 14 day trip is bad, keep in mind that junior guys can also be out back-to back and be gone 28 days or more. This is a volatile industry to say the least, especially right now. If you are flying left seat and making enough to salt a little away for the bad times and furloughs, I'd stay and keep doing it until the window opens to make the jump directly. Just my 2 cents.
Good luck in whatever you decide!

Tumbleweed,

I was a senior pilot at Omni who left for UPS. I would not recommend leaving a Captain job at at regional for Omni, unless you think you will be forced to leave. However, I would not have left Omni for anyone but UPS, Fedex, or Southwest.

The best thing you can do to get a job a Fedex is build PIC turbine time and make friends with as many Fedex pilots and/or military pilots as you can. I didn't know any, so I couldn't even get an interview there. It will be a while before they start hiring again.

For a short time, it was advantageous to have heavy, international experience to get a job at UPS (probably what got me hired.) I don't think that will be a major factor if they start hiring again.

Omni is one of the most profitable airlines out there now. Unfortunately for the employees, the profits mostly go to the private owners. Your paycheck may be small, but it won't bounce. They have never furloughed, (they have fired the senior 727 pilots and selectively recalled to the DC10, but it wasn't technically a furlough). If they think they need to furlough, they will in a heartbeat. The only really good thing about Omni is being home based. There is currently no contract, but the pilots voted in the teamsters last year and they are negotiating. They ought to have something in a couple of years. The guarantee is 60 hours / 18 days including travel to and from home. 95 percent of the lines are reserve, and if you get a line there is no guarantee you will actually fly it. There is no duty rig, no trip rig, nothing. You can expect to fly 58 hours in 11 days, and then spend the next 7 days sitting reserve in Atlanta for per diem. They can force you to work 4 extra overtime days anytime without regard to seniority. So as a junior pilot, you can expect to work the last 18 days of this month, the first 18 days of next month, and 4 extra days for a total of 40 days straight. Not good for a quality family life.

Omni is kind of like Uhaul - an adventure in flying for not a lot of money. However in the current airline environment, they don't look too bad.

Thank You
 

ElHaynes... I really appreciate such an informative post. Without the aid of a crystal ball, it's nice to be able to get some insider information on companies one is unfamiliar with. I guess it makes a lot more sense right now to sit tight in the left seat here until a little more dust settles. Unfortunately, it looks like that will be a while. Thanks again!

Hey Tumbleweed,

Currently on the 75 here at OAI. Elhaynes hit the nail on the head as far as life style goes. If you have a wife and kids whose life you wish to be highly involved in and see more than 1 week a month then I suggest you stay put. It is a lot of fun here, but it will get frustrating quick if you are trying to spend a lot of time at home. The information that people have posted here is accurate, reliable and current. We are profitable, checks are clearing, and growth is happening. They own all the DC-10's which is a large part of the success around here. The 2 75's are leased by the hour. If you are an RJ captain, you might make captain quick around here. The learning curve will still be steep though. At the moment upgrade is based entirely on performance and merit. That will probably change once a contract is in place. Good luck on your decision. Feel free to ask about anything else.

SE

How long have you been at Omni, seoceancrosser?

I have been at Omni for a year. Currently living the dream between Vegas and Hawaii.

How many RJ captains have made the quick upgrade? Is it something they do a lot of?

Upgrade is based entirely on merit and performance, atleast until a contract is in place. So if a person shows up, learns what they need to know, doesn't make anyone of any importance mad, then that person shouldn't have a problem upgrading. Or you could have worked at ATA and go straight to the left seat, that's another option too. Usually being a good boy is most expeditious way to the left side of the cockpit.

not many if any - unless they have some heavy jet time and international experience from the military or someplace else - have to put your time in the right seat if no international experience - also those of us who have been here at Omni for some time ( 10 years for myself ) do not consider this a stepping stone to somewhere else - we do not want those types
yes the pay could be better but hopefully it will improve but the company is making money - not alot of airlines can say that

Are you going to upgrade, soon? How is the training?

I don't know when I'm going to upgrade. They keep talking about getting some more 75's by the end of the year. If so hopefully I will get an invitation to class. Only time will tell.

The training is remarkable. Better than any other place I have been. Ground school is taught by line flying company check airmen. Sims are done with line flying company check airmen. So you learn the Omni way from the beginning. The guys know there stuff inside and out too. While in ground school, our instructor that taught us during the day came to our study group at night and continued to teach and help us. They were dedicated to getting us through. I hope this answers your question.

That is cool. I read a rumor, on another forum, about 767s and even 777s to replace the aging DC-10s. Is that true?

Is Omni only good as a stepping stone, or is it a place to stay for a career?

Response from a previous poster. Looks like you'll have to make that decision after you test the water.

[Actually Omni is one of the most profitable airlines in the world. They have been consistently profitable for many years now. The downside is the reason they are so profitable is they pay their pilots sh*t! And the schedule is horrible.]

Who's simulators do you use for the DC-10 and where are they?

Omni is what you want to make of it. It can be a stepping stone if you have bigger goals or can be a career place. The average longevity of a pilot at Omni is less than five years at the moment. We are presently negotiating our first contract at this time that may completely change. I really don't know how to answer that question.

I have heard the same rumors about those aircraft types showing up. I will believe the rumors when these airplanes are on property. I'm not confirming or denying, I just don't know.

I don't much about the 10 side of the house. I heard they are using sims in Memphis and Miami. That changes often and my info is several months old.

SE

When are the contract negotiations going to be finished?

Is the "10 side of the house" a separate company, or are all of the pilots employees of Omni? I heard they charter corporate jets, too.

Thanks.

I really don't know when negotiations will be finished with. Our guys won't agree to anything until a big improvement is on paper.

The DC-10 pilots and the 757 pilots are all part of the same company and same seniority list. I refer to it as that side of the house because I rarely see DC-10 crews.

There are some lears on charter too. I don't know who or what they carry on those flights. I believe they are strictly 135.

What's your background??? Why are you so interested in non-sched???

Did they ever get the 757 crews home basing? I know the -10's are...

The majority of 757 crews and all of the DC-10 crews are home based. Just a small percentage of the 75 crews are based in Vegas.

Is Vegas a good place to live, for Omni pilots? What's the flying like?

Please check your private messages. We have all the information we need, at this time. Thank you.

You are an OK guy blueridge. Check your pm's