Originally Posted by Former AA Pilot

I took an early retirement from AA at age 52 with my full pension in tact. I've applied to several companies but sort of stumbled upon WGA. Early this week, I had my initial SKYPE interview with HR, Chief Pilot and B747 Fleet Manager. It was an awesome, friendly but professional experience. At the end of the Skype, the HR rep looked at the other two guys and invited me to Miami this week for a sim eval, written test and in person technical interview.

Training was stated as $100 a day and then move to FO pay of $362 per day with a 17 day guarantee. All travel and hotel is paid for training and for the in person interview.

I was told they have around 70 pilots and intend to slightly more than double that number to 150-160. They operate 13 MD-11's and 2 747-400 freighters. Upgrade time can be anywhere from 3 months to 1 year depending on need and experience but DOES require a recommendation from a Check Airman.

I'm sharing this information so as to help anyone else interested in working for this company.

I would greatly appreciate any additional info about ANY and ALL aspects of being a pilot for WGA.

Thanks everyone and fly safely.

Originally Posted by skysailor

Thanks for posting. Interesting place for sure....I'm not sure but I think they are in the process of obtaining 13 MD11's. Any WGA drivers to clarify?

Originally Posted by HercDriver130

I want to know how they operate 15 aircraft with 70 pilots...... even if you take a middle of the 7 pilots per seat and figuring they fly three man crews.... thats 21 pilots per aircraft.... meaning they have enough for 3 planes.... I just don't get it... hum.

Originally Posted by overcast

Company I work for operates 2 747's with 11 pilots. It involves quite a bit of commercialling but is possible. At any given time there is at least one captain and 1 f/o on days off. Occasionally guys will break the 70 hr guarantee, once in a blue moon does one hit 100 hrs in 28 days.

@Cliffatp: difference with Atlas is that at Atlas you need to travel to your base before start of your days-on to sit reserve, for which you also get imputed tax income. First year at WGA should be a big improvement over Atlas if you cannot get based in the city where you live: travel on on-days, no imputed tax, if you are not needed, you stay home longer. Training pay is a lot higher, first year pay is a lot higher.

Originally Posted by overcast

@Cliffatp: difference with Atlas is that at Atlas you need to travel to your base before start of your days-on to sit reserve, for which you also get imputed tax income. First year at WGA should be a big improvement over Atlas if you cannot get based in the city where you live: travel on on-days, no imputed tax, if you are not needed, you stay home longer. Training pay is a lot higher, first year pay is a lot higher.

Originally Posted by HercDriver130

I want to know how they operate 15 aircraft with 70 pilots...... even if you take a middle of the 7 pilots per seat and figuring they fly three man crews.... thats 21 pilots per aircraft.... meaning they have enough for 3 planes.... I just don't get it... hum.

Originally Posted by overcast

difference with Atlas is that at Atlas you need to travel to your base before start of your days-on to sit reserve, for which you also get imputed tax income. First year at WGA should be a big improvement over Atlas if you cannot get based in the city where you live: travel on on-days, no imputed tax, if you are not needed, you stay home longer. Training pay is a lot higher, first year pay is a lot higher.

Originally Posted by aviatorhi

I don't know a lot about WGA, but I know that you don't need 7 guys sitting on top of each other to fly an airplane.

I do find this airline rather intriguing, but hard to get concise information on the place.

Originally Posted by Former AA Pilot

I took an early retirement from AA at age 52 with my full pension in tact. I've applied to several companies but sort of stumbled upon WGA. Early this week, I had my initial SKYPE interview with HR, Chief Pilot and B747 Fleet Manager. It was an awesome, friendly but professional experience. At the end of the Skype, the HR rep looked at the other two guys and invited me to Miami this week for a sim eval, written test and in person technical interview.

Training was stated as $100 a day and then move to FO pay of $362 per day with a 17 day guarantee. All travel and hotel is paid for training and for the in person interview.

I was told they have around 70 pilots and intend to slightly more than double that number to 150-160. They operate 13 MD-11's and 2 747-400 freighters. Upgrade time can be anywhere from 3 months to 1 year depending on need and experience but DOES require a recommendation from a Check Airman.

I'm sharing this information so as to help anyone else interested in working for this company.

I would greatly appreciate any additional info about ANY and ALL aspects of being a pilot for WGA.

Thanks everyone and fly safely.