hoover

Maybe in the slow months they should downgrade the guys who skipped the line for upgrade and upgrade the FOs in seniority order since they'll have the time to do it.

mexipilot84

There’s a slow time? Please tell me when!

mexipilot84

I don’t know who told you 2 months, that’s definitely not what we tell guys. In fact we have it in writing that it could be a year or less.

hoover

I don't know if there is a slow time. But I worked for a place that did and said the same thing. Street captains while FOs who were ready sat and waited for the time when he company had the time to upgrade them then it was too slow and they didn't need anymore cots. Meanwhile the street cpts stayed cpts and the FOs stayed FOs until the company needed cpts again and once again got street cpts citing the same reason as before.

I think a good idea would be to have in writing anyone who could have upgraded and didn't because of company decision gets cpt pay and is upgraded if they want in 6 months or less.
This will stop the cycle and yet allow company to not plan ahead and keep hiring street cpts.

JungleJetDriver

Is this pilot group strong enough to UNITE and make positive change for better? How long has the raise rumor been hanging around? I totally get merit based upgrades and the companies need for street CPTs. based on someones lack of merit. But as stated up there with out something in writing or a contract/union the company makes the machine run any way, any how. Is Swift a destination Airline? Retirement DC's, 401k match, industry median salary, etc. I don't see those things. I'm guessing the current FO's need the PIC time to move on to a destination airline? With those upgrades the company is left with attrition in greater numbers. Does anyone believe that the company is truly putting forth the effort to stop attrition and attract new hires? All of the regional airlines have the same salary and way bigger sign on bonuses (with a commitment of a year or two) for all FO's and DEC'S. Just food for thought. Maybe you're not getting the upgrades because its cost effective.

PICsf340

To be honest, I have talked to both of the recruiters. I feel that from the people I have talked to that are currently there, the information I have been given seems to be as accurate as an outsider could possibly determine. I was told that an upgrade for someone with my credentials is LIKELY to happen in less than a year. MAYBE as soon as 8-10 months. The great thing is, there is no agreement, so if you don’t like what you see, why don’t you folks get together and get a union. Otherwise, you can leave, take the bonus at a regional, and get a street captain offer if you wish. It gets a little old to keep hearing that dog bark, but never actually seeing him bite.

As far as the street captains go, is there any possibility that many of (or at least some of) the FOs are not ready to upgrade? I mean, every wife probably thinks their husband is the best pilot alive. Every mom thinks that their son/daughter is God’s greatest gift to aviation. Every child thinks that their parent is equal to Chuck Yeager and NO PILOT wants to admit or hear that they aren’t as good as they think they are, or would like to be. So, some people are irritated because they didn’t upgrade at 2 months( I am guessing 50 hours at best) even 8 months and 350-400 hours? You really think that it is less safe to have someone with Boeing time, especially with time as a captain, is less qualified to do the job than someone who is getting their first “big” airplane type with a handful of hours in type?

I truly get the fact that getting overlooked for upgrade sucks, but I wouldnt make the argument that these guys arent qualified to do the job. In all honesty, I just wanted to stoke the fire a bit-make sure this thread is cooking with grease!

PICsf340

So, yesterday I definitely poked the bear(mostly yo keep things interesting), but I still have the Kahunas to ask some serious questions. I get the fact that YMMV. This is probably a dream job for a few and it has probably been a nightmare for some. I am guessing that in reality, there are a lot of in betweens that are for the most part pretty happy, but would live to see some changes take place. So, if you don’t mind, here are some questions that I would love to get answered-these are based on the assumption I would be home based:

1: I assume with the type of operation Swift runs, pilots will essentially bid for particular days on/off?

2: Are most home based schedules only going to have the minimum days off of 12 per month, or can you get lines with more than the min as you get to be more senior?

3: what are the typical rotations like as far as days on/off in a row? Hopefully it is 6-7 days on with 5-6 days off?

4: Is there any chance that if they don’t have something for you to do on day 1 that you sit at yoyr house an extra day?

5: is the final day of your rotation dedicated to getting you home? What happens if you get stuck an extra day on the road? Would there be a minimum pay credit for your time spent getting back? Will they adjust your days off following an event like that?

6: I have heard different experiences, but are there ways to get over block as a home based pilot without working on your days off?

7: will the company every try to force you to work additional days, or reprimand you for not working on your days off?

8: Are uniforms company provided? Where do you get them from?

9: what type of retirement plan does Swift have? Does the company contribute anything towards that?

10: What are the realistic expectations of when this pay raise will be coming and how much of a raise could be expected? Will it be a dollar amount, an increase in block hours, both?

Again, I realize that YMMV and I encourage inputs from those with various experiences. I don’t mind working hard on my days away from home, but as you can tell, my time off is very important to my family. I know that Swift isn’t perfect, but they offer me things that other places do not. So, thank you again for the time to read this and reply.

mexipilot84

1. Bidding usually you’re bidding on days off or patterns you want you can bid specific flying but things can change especially during transition month to month.

2. Home basing 12 is the hard days off. They haven’t built them with more days because they consider traveling on your work day not losing any time off and we’re always short handed one way or another. MIA is the only base that has more off days, but it’s only beneficial to those who live in MIA.

3. Rotations vary by base. MIA lately has had 4on 4 off. Home basing 6-10 on 4-6off. It definitely has got better from the 14on schedules of back in the day.

4. If you’re in stby you’re on call, there could be a small chance to not be used if it’s a slow month like September. Usually you’re working. This year I’ve only been stby one day at home. Does it happen? Yes but it’s rare.

5. Your last day is a travel day however they still consider it a work day so you still might be working before you travel home. Getting stuck till the next day happens but usually for unforeseen circumstances, wx, mtc, late pax etc, where you miss your flight. Then they’ll usually get you on true first flight home they can and you get paid 150% for day. So 4.5hrs of credit. Usually not a bad deal if I take the first flight in he morning I’ll be home before lunch and got paid extra to do it.

6. During hockey season unless you can bid AEX flying it will be hard to break guarantee. Expect 30-40hours. Usually I do 1 or 2 days of OT a month especially if they offer 200% that goes on top of your guarantee. So you’ll get paid for 60 and whatever OT you did. You’ll learn how to work the system. I try to do OT that touches 2 days and work maybe 6hrs for 2 days of pay. Usually might involve late night repo, but good money to do nothing. Summer is busy on the other hand you’ll fly ALOT! Usually by July I’m timing out.

7. They’re not going to force you, or reprimand you, they will beg you if theyre desperate. It happens, sometimes a crew member misconnects and can’t make the flight and they will negotiate with you. On your day off just don’t answer your phone, easy as that. If scheduling is calling you know why!

8. Uniforms the company issues 2 pairs of pants from crew outfitters, wings, tie and epaulettes. You have to supply your own shirts. Crew outfitters shirts suck anyway so I’d buy cut above.

9. A little over a year ago we got the 401K program. They don’t match into it yet, so basically I just put money into an IRA. I hope that changes as they claim to want to make this a career airline. Can’t be a career airline if you don’t provide adequate retirement packages for your people.

10. Pay raises well that’s a tough one. In the last 3 years we’ve had 2 pay raises. They keep announcing some big benefits to the pilots are coming this year, but no details yet. I’d like some soft pay rules installed first to be honest. New hires do have the 25K bonus. Doubt they’ll up the MMG, simply because it allows them to do easy math for payroll. 60 is very common in the acmi world.

Like I mention several times before this place is what it is, but it is also what you make of it. I don’t have to commute or spend money on crashpads, I have fun doing what I’m doing. You learn the ropes and you’ll do fine here. There are things that are lacking and other things they are trying to do to fix it. This place has evolved from a small mom and pop airline with 2 737s to what it is today. I’d say in the short time frame that’s an incredible explosion in growth. Unfortunately with that is quick growth with slow improvement in infrastructure. They’re hiring more support personnel, but even when they hire more they’re already behind because we added more planes and employees. It takes being flexible and resourceful to make this place easy. I send scheduling the flights I want and most of the time I get what I want so I can control my destiny. The more you can control your destiny and complete the mission you’re already ahead of the game.

PICsf340

Useful information. Thanks, guys

SoFloFlyer

Anyone in recruitment or manage my I can PM? I have a question about eventually becoming an applicant