fogrunner

I pulled this from another website. It shows great insight into the process at Gemini. If you are persistent, do your homework, then things sometimes work out.

Originally Posted by V70T5

Ok.. update on Gemini.

I got "the call" from the CP literally 29 days after my initial contact with him to express my interest and follow up on whether he got my resume. I also had fedexed him, the DO and the director of training a good quality Hard Copy.

He asked if I could make Tues or Wed the 19th/20th.. I said of course. I had to pay my own way out, but used some of my airline miles and stayed at the Merriott literally across the street from their GO.

I slept like crap the night before as I was very nervous, but after finally waking up at 4am (2am my time) I just sat in bed watching TV and tried not to think about the interview which was scheduled for 1PM.

I got there 1/2 hr early, and waited in the HR waiting area. The GO is under major remodeling and they are also doing a lot of corporate restructuring to lower the overhead costs on the management side of the house. This is reassuring as since they're recent BK reorganization, and more-or-less concessionary pilot contract, this shows that they're indeed serious about belt tightening and planing for their long terms growth.

Anyway, the CP came to get me 15min early, and the minute I saw him, and exchanged greetings, I came to feel a bit more at ease. This was a genuinely nice guy and really a "one of us" type. He took me to the main Conf. Room and waited only 2 min before he and the Flight Standards Manager (a former FE at the company) came in. They both just made small talk with me, and it was EXTREMELY cordial, easy going and you really got the feeling that this was your job to loose. Right about when the CP started to get into a description of the job, the DO walked in. This is a former Navy Academy, Navy O6 type who at first seems a bit intimidating and his presence quickly stopped the other two from talking, as he more or less took over the interview. I got a bit nervous at first, but again, his charm and nature came thru with in minutes as he seemed to be a real believer in the company, it's newly charter future, and the was proud of it's performance in it's short 10 year history, which took place he noted in a very difficult time. We discussed how cargo is slated to grow by 4x in the next 20 years, and he said that the company is making priority #1 the aquisition of additional aircraft.. be it MD-11, or a new fleet type to add to the 11's.. Namely, 744s, or 777F's and even 767F and A330's were on the table down the line.

A few questions of a personal nature (no technical) were asked, and my education, military, and other background was discussed in a very cordial manner, but the result was he got up and said.. "Ok, we'll let you know some time in Jan, thanks for coming by.. do you need a ride to the Airport?"

Not two minutes passed after he left the conf. room, and he returned to invite me to attend the company Christmas Party being held down the hall. I said sure, and he walked with me down to the party, and introduced me to everyone from SVP's to dispatchers and IT people. We talked a bit more, and I met their new SVP of Technical Opts (who came over from Atlas last month), and we discussed their agressive growth strategy (or atleast the non-classified stuff!).

I got a great feeling for the place when I left. as even the CP took me into his office and said that I'd love working for them, and that If I plan to make a career with them, it will likely be a bright future for them and I.

I flew home that day, and literally the next day, the DO himself called to tell me that I'm hired (Christmas Present!), and that they had a guy drop out of their Jan 6 (LGB) class, and that if I wanted it it was mine! or I could got to the feb 6 class in Helsinki. I looked over at my wife who was with me in the car and said.. well? She said go for it, as it's easier on her if I'm in LGB so she can drive out from PHoenix to see me and take the kids to Disney, etc..

Then the DO did something I'd never seen before and asked to talk to my wife, where they talked for some 5 minutes. After he hung up, my wife told me that in the 5 years I worked at my last flying job the DO never even knew her name, and yet this guy took it upon himself to introduce himself and welcome her personally to the company.

From what I've see, these guys are 100% class..

There is nothing but upside, and I think if/when they expand and revenues grow, their next contract should hopefully reflect in this growth.

Time will tell, but for now.. this 37 year old is signed on as a lifer!

BTW, all hiring now is into MD-11.

BoxFlyer

Congrats on the new job, what a present from Santa!

Huck

I was at Gemini for 3 years. I had a problem with the Carlysle Group and the company leaders, but EVERYONE there with a pilot's license was absolutely top-notch. I did apply to Fedex, but if that didn't work out I would have been a lifer.

When I got hired I checked into the company-provided hotel, and there was a denim shirt on the bed with the company logo, and a hand-written note from the (former) CEO and company founder. It was that kind of place.

Albief15

I got a *****in' pen set for my 5 year FDX anniversary, and I say that without any sarcasm at all. I didn't know we got presents on our anniversaries, and I thought mine was pretty cool. You should be getting your catalog to choose your prize here soon if you haven't gotten it already Huck.

Cheers..

Huck

Merry Christmas Aaron. I'm here in SFO, off to find somewhere on Fisherman's Wharf to spend $35 (no drinks on that card....)

(By the way - at Gemini it was $50. Do they still buy Christmas dinner at the G-Spot?)

Don't worry, home on the 27th to start vacation. Enjoy your holidays!

Skygirl

Huck,

$35 isn't going to buy you much at Fishermen's Wharf - too much of a tourist trap. Maybe try North Beach instead and have some cioppino, a San Francisco Christmas tradition. It's the height of Dungeness crab season here and the fresh crab is a'plenty...of course guessing what the G-Spot is, if you are so inclined that way,there are also some of those type of establishments nearby as well, around Columbus and Broadway.

Suppose to be a big storm moving in tonight, so take some rain gear.

fogrunner

yes they do

Mink

Does Gemini offer home basing?

CE750

Thanks for doing that fogrunner! Prolly should have shared that story with this place too!

I did however submit to the website admin the latest solid info I got on hiring. You and I are both in the dark about what's on for after Feb 8th.

From all what I can see.. I think things are going to "Happen" at Gemini... and the rest of the story will be written over the years.. This was truly a ground floor opportunity that I felt good about taking.

btw.. what do you think of my Avatar?


Mink: Yes.. one of the biggest reasons I wanted it. I wasn't ready to move now, and commuting multiple times a month was not an option.

MadDog11F

I spent a bit of time on the -11 at Gemini -- recently moved on. Most everyone I still know there is attempting to do the same after the recent furloughs/imminent furloughs, etc. Admittedly, that is all third-hand info and perhaps Fogrunner can say some more on what is happening w/ the PFE's and junior folks on the -10 and -11?

To answer the question, I believe you're still home based.

Fogrunner: are they still type rating folks on the -11? Also, have they started making new-hires sign a training contract? I know they did that w/ a couple of the guys in the last -11 class.

http://airlinepilotcentral.com/airli...go/gemini.html