finally got a change to speak with the DO on a phone interview. Nice guy, we talked for a while. I didn't see him sugar coat anything. I was impressed and I'd like to see this place succeed as an airlines. Sounds like they're doing a lot of things right

 

Not gonna lie. It's been a rough 16 months working here. But it really has the feeling of turning the corner right now. Staffing is up, we have an experienced crew scheduler, and maintenance issues are fewer. For the first time since I started here, I have a schedule for next month. The operation is almost stabilized, but there still a few issues that need to be resolved relating to our Part 135 operations.

I have turned down opportunities at three different places lately to stay here, and I believe that says something. Home basing is worth a lot when you hate commuting and live in the sticks.

There are still hurdles ahead. Maintenance issues have decreased, but they still pop up like at any airline. The issue is that we dont keep parts on hand and must wait for them to be ordered when things do break. That slows down the operation. Additionally, we use MRO's for heavy maintenance instead of in house and ferrying aircraft across country is also inefficient but a necessity at this point to keep operating costs down.

Staffing still needs a little improvement, but there are more guys in the pipeline as we speak so it will continue to improve on that aspect. We currently have 17 guys (not counting guys in training department and the CP who flies the line) to staff three routes. But when the Brasilia breaks and we have to cover their flying, it brings in the spare aircraft and brings us down to 2 crews per plane. Another 5-6 guys are currently in training and should be online before the fifth airplane is added to the certificate this summer.

Short version. Still not as good as working at UPS but still not the worst place to be either.

 

As far as maintenance you guys have the worst birds that we had at TSA. I'm sure they were worth very little, good luck with them. I remember 802, you almost wanted to caress it when it actually brought you back home last leg without major breakdowns because it wasn't very common. At least you probably don't fly them as much each day.

 

I wish they would have known that prior to purchasing them. Investing a little more may have saved us money in the long run. I just turned down another job to stay here as well.

 

Walkeraviation: where are Via's home bases and what equipment?

 

I saw today on the KAUS website that VIA will be flying out of the south terminal. Anybody know if this is seasonal or if they plan to make this permanent?

 

Are new hires getting the hourly flight hour pay that is paid out at end of the year or is that gone?

 

from what i was just told, that hourly was for the casino charters, now its a daily rate with a guarantee for 17 on duty days

 

What's the daily rate now for captains? IIRC the captain salary used to be $70K plus the hourly rate.

 

AUS service to Branson is seasonal and runs until after Labor Day. Home base means you can be based at any airport with regular airline service which means no EAS airports. I am based in AUS, so this seasonal flying just made my summer schedule much better.

As for pay, those of us hired during Caesars flying have been grandfathered into the yearly flight time bonus. New hires do not get it. Pay is a base salary plus incentives for going past 16 days. My issue with this system is that the incentive pay works out to less than the normal day rate. Captains make $70k plus $350/day past 16. FOs make $42.5k plus $200/day.

According the DO, after Branson flying stabilizes and they have time to discuss, they want a new pay package for everyone