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Focus, Southern Air, Gemini Cargo????

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Focus, Southern Air, Gemini Cargo????

Old 07-24-2006, 10:30 AM
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Default Focus, Southern Air, Gemini Cargo????

Any pilots from Focus, Southern Air or Gemini Cargo in the forum?? I want to know if those pilots like the company or what they like or thislike about them. And what is upgrade time?? They were in the carrer fair in AEROSERVICE TRAINING CENTER, MIA. Is it worth to fly for them?? How is the freigther life, is it better than PAX??

Thanx...

Last edited by HSLD; 09-05-2006 at 04:22 PM. Reason: removed FONT SIZE tags-we can hear you fine.
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Old 07-26-2006, 04:25 PM
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Oscar,
I work for Southern and and over all I like it. It is a tough life being gone as much as we are but improvements are on the way. I would not recommend it for a young family.
We are currently voting on a new contract and should know if it passes after the 1st of August. Not a huge improvement in pay but quality of life should get better. I will not go into the details until the voting is complete.
Cargo over pax- definately.
Upgrade time is based upon many factor: time in heavy aircraft, time with Southern, overall experience, and general "command ability". They have had direct entry captains and others that just needed some experience with the company. Others will never make it.
The majority of the guys are great, but like every company there are weiners.
Having PFEs is a good thing. Most have great deal of experience and work their tails off. They have kept me out of trouble more than once.
There are worse places to work. Where? Ask the guys that are joining us from Champion, Tradewinds, and Skywest, among others.
They keep hiring more than they are loosing so they must be adding more planes. They don't tell us until it happens.
It would be a good place for a younger pilot to get PIC experience. If you have the experience to get hired, get the time to upgrade and spend a couple years flying left seat. Move on to better things.
The worst thing is crew scheduling. The blind leading the blind. Only one of them has a clue and she is hamstrung be the idiot in charge. Ask me tomorrow and I will tell you what I really think.
The VP of ops, Mike Hartley, is gone and has not been replaced permanently yet.
You can check my other post I have answered a lot of questions in those.
Good luck.

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Old 07-26-2006, 10:32 PM
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Red face curious about southern

18, what r the schedules like right now? how long out on the road typically? is the flying mostly Asia? where r overnights and how long at each? r u strong-armed into staying on the road much? any pay incentives to keep flying longer? where do people go from southern? what is the fastest you can upgrade, assuming you have all boxes checked? sorry 4 all the q's, just curious about leaping to southern...
 
Old 07-27-2006, 03:40 AM
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Originally Posted by maddog skipper
18, what r the schedules like right now? how long out on the road typically? is the flying mostly Asia? where r overnights and how long at each? r u strong-armed into staying on the road much? any pay incentives to keep flying longer? where do people go from southern? what is the fastest you can upgrade, assuming you have all boxes checked? sorry 4 all the q's, just curious about leaping to southern...
Fliteinfo.com has some pretty good threads on this subject.

1. Typically 17-20 days.
2. Layovers are in Seoul and Shanghai on the asian side. (Hong Kong is gone for now). ANC, ATL, and DFW predominate on the domestic side. A few LAX, JFK, ORD and maybe MIA.
3. Asian layovers run 2-4 days. Domestic vary. I've seen 4 days at ATL on the bid package, but usually 1-2 days. ANC's are usually 1-2 days.
4. They don't strong arm. It just happens.
5. 3 hours of flight pay (above what you fly) for each "day off" worked. This is also above the guarantee.
6. Fastest upgrade is immediate. Average about 6 months - for some never. Depends on your background/ability more than seniority.
7. We haven't had large defections recently. A few DL/UA furloughees are being recalled. The occasional JB and CAL hiring. Last year we had major defections to Focus/Polar, but you'd have to axe them how "smart" a move that was for them. I think one left for MAX Jet.

Last edited by ironspud; 07-27-2006 at 02:44 PM.
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Old 07-27-2006, 08:03 AM
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Iron Is that an anti-ALPA cap? Where can I get one? Looks great!! REDWAVE
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Old 07-27-2006, 02:40 PM
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Originally Posted by redwave
Iron Is that an anti-ALPA cap? Where can I get one? Looks great!! REDWAVE
Itaewon Market, Seoul. Underground shopping center. "Friendship" shop. It's a dress store in the front and in the back the guy sells Polo style shirts, t-shirts, caps, etc. Mostly airline logos. Found that hat with the hated ALPA logo on it and he embroidered the red part after I drew it out for him. About $12.
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Old 07-28-2006, 05:41 AM
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You could make some $ selling it. If you head over again let me know as I would love one. ALPO loves you until you don't pay dues and then the knives to the back come!! REDWAVE
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Old 07-28-2006, 06:22 AM
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Ironspud,
Thanks for answering maddogs questions. Been busy the last couple days and haven't had time to play on computer.

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Old 08-05-2006, 08:23 PM
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Originally Posted by Oscar13601
Any pilots from Focus, Southern Air or Gemini Cargo in the forum?? I want to know if those pilots like the company or what they like or thislike about them. And what is upgrade time?? They were in the carrer fair in AEROSERVICE TRAINING CENTER, MIA. Is it worth to fly for them?? How is the freigther life, is it better than PAX??

Thanx...
Here are two other post's on Focus:

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...0384#post40384

http://www.airlinepilotforums.com/sh...1420#post51420
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Old 08-08-2006, 08:40 PM
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Originally Posted by redwave
You could make some $ selling it. If you head over again let me know as I would love one. ALPO loves you until you don't pay dues and then the knives to the back come!! REDWAVE

Sounds like a guy who cant get a job with an ALPA carrier.........
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