Empire?
 

Got a call from Empire the other day to do the phone interview. The position is for a direct entry captain.

Does anyone have experience with Empire good, bad, or ugly?

If anyone has interview gouge information that would be appreciated in a PM.

Would you leave an airline job (pax) that's probably going away for Empire, or move to another pax airline?

Thanks

What carrier is disappearing into the sunset? Why don't you think you could not get hired by a major?

I work for L-Eagle just announced that that will be parking all of our CRJs and will not need almost half of the pilots on the seniority list. This is another thread topic. I'm a FO here and there are people getting hired by the majors without any PIC time I may as well add to the Turbine PIC time that I have now and possibly get to the majors faster than sitting in the right seat at Eagle and moving backwards there as they shut Eagle down.

I was just thinking that I may as well continue to build PIC turbine if I can while this shortage plays out.

Hey dude im also in the same boat as you at L-Eagle, I dont know anything about empire but do you meet the min PIC time for the Direct entry capt? Im short of the 1000 and was just wondering if you were also when they called you for interview.
Good luck

Guys,

Empire pay is very low! Be prepared to stay for the duration of your training agreement. They will get there money if you leave early!

The flying is easy, not much flying per day so if your looking to rack up some quick pic time forget it. most runs are in the 1.5 hours per day area, but your gone all day Some runs you stay overnight every night and are at home during the day. Not sure about the Alaska flying but they used to count some of your days off in the outstation as part of your time off.

good luck

There is good and bad working for Empire.
The good. They are a little company and try hard. I built my turbine PIC there and moved on, and the only regret I have is that it takes a little longer there to build time and my career was a little stagnant there.
The bad. Sometimes I think MGMT is a little unresponsive and not real forward thinking. No company is perfect and once again they do try hard. It can just be frustrating sitting in an outstation with little support sometimes from the HQ.
Would I go there again? Probably. The SE Alaska flying is challenging and if you can get on in the ANC base time will build pretty fast.
If I were an FO it is a different story. I think the new rules are going to make it very difficult for them to attract real talent. Why would you want to fly an old crummy Turbo Prop when in reality a shorter time commitment will land you some sweet baby jet time? Only a new hire FO can answer that.

I wouldnt suggest anyone come to Empire. Ill list out the positive and negatives:

Positives

Small Company
PIC time
Mostly good people
Airlplanes are well maintained since fedex pays for it directly.

Negatives:

Small Company- Not many resources. The joke is that they are really 121 light. More suited for a mom pop 135 operation.

People: Most are nice, but some..specially the HR head are a real POS. She totally hates pilots and does anything in her power to make life more difficult. Also if you get sick, goodluck. They will treat you like you are scum.

Insurance and benefits sucks: They self insure and anyone costing them money is treated badly. Read above point. And other benefits.....hahahahahahahahahaha.

They have no balls: fedex tells them stuff and they implement it adding to the pilots responsibility. Example pilots have to watch cargo loading and sometimes unloading. Fedex figured its easier to shove the liability down the Empire pilots throats since they dont have a union. Oh and if you are late all hell breaks loose. Fedex beats them like a ragged doll for delays.

Working in the hot and cold: Specially while watching cargo in snow/rain etc. Oh and dont expect any water/drinks or crew meals either. Cargo dogs dont get that!!

Horrible training: A dept run by someone with no experience. Flight safety does most of the training now that all the sim instructors and check airmen quit. Total disaster. 6 sims to include 2 in a 72 series and one from the right seat for capts. High failure rate.

Dont fly much: The routes are short and generally only 4-5 days a week. in a good year you may fly 300hrs. And for those after PIC time, Maybe half of that would be logged as PIC. Reason....They fly Capt on Capt since they cant hire FO's. And once you are off high mins expect to fly right seat for new Capts all the time.

Horrible Pay: Bottom Feeder!!!!!!

Training Contract: And to top it all they make you sign a $13,000 contract and will go after you to get the money. In today's market there is absolutely no reason to get stuck somewhere.

These are just things I could think of the top of my head. PM me if you would like more info. Im trying to get out ASAP. Help Me!!!

To OP. I also am thinking about joining Empire. I was former L-Eagle as well. As far as pay. Put it into comparison. First year at Omni air is $50k. Second year is $54000. At empire at least your logging Turbine PIC and getting paid the same roughly and (shoot me down for this comment) but your "home" every day.) Missoula's route looks great. Report to work at 6pm. Spend the night in Great Falls. Then back home at 7am. Anyways. Everyone's gna complain about pay. At Omni your gone for at least 1 week. Better than a regional and I see it better than a 767 charter IMO. But I don't work for Empire.

Well Sir because of people like you (I am trying not to judge, specially since what is going on at Eagle. But that should have opened your eyes, not make you bend over for more), bottom feeders like Empire will keep getting pilots. Hope you don't become a lifer here. Wouldn't wish that on anyone. Also try and look at the 'good' airlines for your inspiration that pay well and provide a good QOL.

All the best with your application process. Me and many others here are looking for a out.