Mountain Aviation
#12
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2010
Posts: 91
There is not much information out there, and to make sure pilots know what they are getting into, I have a few facts to share. Yes, this was a great company 2 years ago. Yes, they had some good leadership in the past. Yes, they still have a 7 on 4 off, 7 on 3 off schedule. They have gone through 3 Cheif Pilots in the past year, progressively decreasing in quality. The current Chief Pilot is not trusted by the pilot group. The Director of Operations is more concerned with profit than safety. He has bullied pilots into flying when they shouldn't have. As for the schedules, it was nice to be able to plan months in advance. This is no longer the case. Your schedule can now change for the month with only 5 days notice, and the trend is moving to a "soft" days off schedule. Recently my friend put in his "4 week notice" required by the employee handbook, only to be told he was terminated. Mountain Aviation employees: keep this in mind when you are ready to move on. Be ready to go 4 weeks without pay because you are following their policies. If you are unemployed and waiting for something better to come along, Mountain Aviation will pay the bills. If you are a professional with your career ahead of you, I would stay where you are and look elsewhere.
Has Mountain Aviation had 3 CPs in the last year? Yes, the first one left after 8 years with the company to pursue the airlines. The second was killed in a personal aircraft accident. The 3rd was recruited to replaced the deceased CP.
The schedule has not changed to soft days off. All pilots are assigned 10 days off per month on the 25th of the month prior. All pilots are compensated additionally for any flying done on days off at their discretion.
Was a pilot's resignation accepted early? Yes, the pilot gave 4 weeks notice within 1 week of returning from recurrent after verbally assuring the CP
he was committed to the company.
Mountain Aviation to this day pays towards the bottom end of the average salary range which is not the long term ideal for those in management. The CP continually goes to bat to upper management for the crew members. The pilots may not respect the CP, but the CP has tremendous respect for the professionalism and experience of the pilots.
#14
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: Airline Captain
Posts: 540
I might be able to. Any thing specific you would like to know?
#15
Line Holder
Joined APC: Dec 2014
Position: PIC LR35
Posts: 76
For the 7 days on... is it at home reserve, mostly day trips, mostly overnights, 7 days on the road, a mixed bag of all?
Does it vary based on aircraft? i.e. ABC aircraft offers lots of nights in your own bed while XYZ aircraft means mostly on the road?
Thanks!
Does it vary based on aircraft? i.e. ABC aircraft offers lots of nights in your own bed while XYZ aircraft means mostly on the road?
Thanks!
#17
Line Holder
Joined APC: Jun 2015
Posts: 35
I've never flown charter, and I realize every company operates a little differently. I'm mostly interested in what the schedule and day to day is like.
How many days off per month? Are they guaranteed or do you get called in? How are trips assigned? Any bidding? How hard is it to get specific dates off work? How far out do you know your schedule? If it's 7 on what is an example of those 7 days? Leave town and not come back? On call? Day trips? How much flight time are pilots getting?
I've heard pay is average or maybe slightly below. Strict salary? Benefits? 401k match? Any vacation?
What's the culture like for pilots? Morale with management? I've read some say there is tension between Pilots and management. How long do pilots stay on average? High turn around?
What is the training department like? Is there a training contract?
What are pilots expected to do aside from show up and fly? Office work? Passenger service? Maintenance, or cleaning?
I appreciate the help if anyone knows what a pilot can expect here.
How many days off per month? Are they guaranteed or do you get called in? How are trips assigned? Any bidding? How hard is it to get specific dates off work? How far out do you know your schedule? If it's 7 on what is an example of those 7 days? Leave town and not come back? On call? Day trips? How much flight time are pilots getting?
I've heard pay is average or maybe slightly below. Strict salary? Benefits? 401k match? Any vacation?
What's the culture like for pilots? Morale with management? I've read some say there is tension between Pilots and management. How long do pilots stay on average? High turn around?
What is the training department like? Is there a training contract?
What are pilots expected to do aside from show up and fly? Office work? Passenger service? Maintenance, or cleaning?
I appreciate the help if anyone knows what a pilot can expect here.
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2008
Position: Airline Captain
Posts: 540
Here is his response to your post...
7/7 more on the road than not. Looking for local pilots right now, that may change. Normal duties do include customer service, and light regular cleaning after legs. Short days can plan on a sit to sell and connect more dots. Goal is to fill schedule and current growth makes that a complicated explanation. Communication needs improvement but more coming on board should help that in the office. Benefits are good, can't remember the 401k match, pay is negotiable depending on quals.... Schedule is steady, no bidding, can be called but at pilots discretion for incentive pay (150 percent). Has been some turn around but a lot due to personal life decisions.
7/7 more on the road than not. Looking for local pilots right now, that may change. Normal duties do include customer service, and light regular cleaning after legs. Short days can plan on a sit to sell and connect more dots. Goal is to fill schedule and current growth makes that a complicated explanation. Communication needs improvement but more coming on board should help that in the office. Benefits are good, can't remember the 401k match, pay is negotiable depending on quals.... Schedule is steady, no bidding, can be called but at pilots discretion for incentive pay (150 percent). Has been some turn around but a lot due to personal life decisions.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post