Mahalo Av

Is there any TDY base?

Grounded

Well there is currently a discussion about that... As of right now, SAT is the only "permanent" base. PIT AND BWI are slated to be somewhat permanent bases with the company providing housing there. Subjet to change of course... We do have TDY bases from time to time depending on new contracts.

Goonie

Yeah, PITT and BWI will likely become bases. Right now they are using most of their flying from there for OE.

Froggy

I have been following Xtra's page and reading the forums regarding y'all for a while now. Obviously, it seems that it is an airline in flux to say the least. I do have some general questions:
It only ever lists SAT (I live there hence the interest) as a base, however from what I've read the home office is in Boise? Could someone please explain that to me?
Is there any sort of set or semi set schedule over there or do you basically just go where the plane goes for however long they need you?
I'm assuming they have to airline you out to meet the plane at some point?
Lastly, if you do meet the plane and fly somewhere are you stuck baby sitting it or do you do some turns and then go home?

Any info would be appreciated, thanks in advance!

Goonie

SAT is really their only base because most of their flying is Adhoc. But most of the pilot group is home based. Yes, they airline you to the plane on all the charter flying. They have a lot of flying out of PIT and BWI now doing turns down in the Caribbean, but as of right now they are not bases and they airline you to the plane there as well.

You don't really get stuck babysitting one plane. You might fly a few of them in one hook. There are some days sitting reserve in some locations, but they supply all the hotel rooms.

Grounded

That is not totally accurate. There is no one currently "home based". SAT is currently the only "permanent" base where pilots are required to commute to and from and provide their own living arrangements. The rest of the pilots (including me) have been displaced out of "permanent" bases when the contract ended and there wasn't any new base to replace it. Ie. PGD and MYR. Since then, there have been "permanent" bases that were out of the country such as FPO and SCL where the company provided transportation and housing. Now this is a huge debate because a number of us have been burned with contracts ending and we were stuck with the bills moving to the next "permanent" base only to see it close 5 months later. Very recently, they have decided that PIT and BIT will be "permanent" for the purposes of bidding, however they will provide housing. We need to get ourselves there. Having said that, they do not have the staffing to put out a base bid, as it is more efficiencient to have crews not tied down to a particular base. Each base only has one aircraft so it is very inefficient to staff. This is an ongoing conversation... Like you said, indeed a state of flux....

As far as Boise, only the corporate offices are there. No aircraft, so no pilot base.

Schedules are also currently in flux do to staffing. Right now.... You bid your days off every month by the 15th. They issue the schedule around the 28th. Think of it as requesting days off for a reserve line as We do not currently do hard lines. (except for some displaced guys due to low staffing... Another long story). Your days off are somewhat assigned by seniority. It can range between 12-15 days off.

As far as your typical schedule. It will vary depending on if it is sched Charter, Ad hoc or the other type of flying that we do that I can't discuss.... Ad hoc, you will be with the airplane the entire time (most of the time). Depending on the charter and how many will depend how much you fly. There will be plenty of days you're babysitting but will be sent home for your days off. The company will airline you to and from..

The sched charter. You will go to bwi or PIT and do turns out of there and will sit reverve on days that do not have flying... Currently the company will airline you there but this is currently in discussion.

Bottom line, nothing is "permanent" here... You will chase airplanes and fly where the company needs you. Seniority doesn't really mean much here. You can't bid types of trips, add or drop etc. Just request days off and go with the flow...

Hope this helps.

Froggy

Thank ya'll for the info. If I was "based" out of SAT would they still want me to sit reserve out of BWI or PIT and do turns out of there? and if so would they provide accommodations or would I? I guess I'm trying to figure out if being based at home would equal more actual time at home or if it doesn't really make a difference there. Thanks again!

Grounded

Well most of the time you'll be in SAT if you're based there. Honestly not sure if they are basing any new hires there. Most are "baseless" until this mess gets sorted out. If you are, there will be times where you will be in PIT, BWI or chasing a plane on charters. But one word of caution, do not come here thinking that you will be based in SAT and never sent elsewhere. Also don't come here thinking SAT will last for an extensive period of time. No contract does...

Froggy

Thanks again, always been curious about the charter side of things. Hopefully ya'll can get things sorted out in the semi near future.

Grounded

No worries, let me know if you have any other questions.