gvinflight

Hows the morale over there vs. the regionals?

MiGBoy

No comparison. Many have come here from the Regionals seeking a better atmosphere and QOL, and have been very happy.

BeerPlanesBabes

Really?

There are pro's and con's to each position. But, at the end of the day without sugar coating it, the morale here is mostly low (depends on the base). Most of us plan for at least 17+ days a month; the average this year for one pilot is 19 days and not by request. Out of the 12 day rotation, depending on the equipment, plan at least 6 nights away and that doesn't include a few 10 hour rests at home (laundry stop).

The bright side is that the company grows, the checks always clear the bank, and the equipment/maintenance is great.

gvinflight

So, I've applied at EAS, but I'm curious as to the initial pay and compensation and upgrading. Any info?

RI830

Very interesting opinion you have here. Just three pages ago, you posted this.....

Acting that you were from the outside. Why are you trolling like this? If you are unhappy with something in house, then quit or voice your opinion to those who can try to make changes.
You make no point with your description of the sked. We are open with our target of 18 days a month working and yes there are times where 6+ nights away are possible. What point are you trying to make?

RI830

What are all the current bases?
DFW (FTW/DAL), RVS, ICT/AAO, MKC, BUF

What are the schedules like?
12 Available/3 Off; Not what it appears on paper…..we are in and out of base during our 12 day rotation. We spend nights at home during those 12 days. We have a wide range of trips from quick day trips to 4-5 days if customer schedules them. There are many other aspects to discuss that would take a whole page to discuss.

How many hours does someone typically fly in a month?
Depends on airframe; Phenom drivers avg 400-500 hrs/yr

What is SIC and PIC pay after year one?
SIC’s $36,000
PIC’s
C90 $49,000
KA350 $58,000
Phenom 100 $64,000
Phenom 300 $80,000

We have tenure and performance based raise each year that will increase the above listed pay rates

What are competitive times for the Phenom positions?
There are no specific numbers. We need min 1500TT for SIC’s and 3500TT for an off the street Phenom 100 PIC. We look at a multitude of things when selecting a potential teammate.

How similar is the Phenom to the E145?
The Embraer logic and switches are the same but very different in many other ways. I have flown the E145, Legacy 600 and Phenoms.

Where is training done?
CAE DFW for Phenoms
Flight Safety ICT for Hawker Beech

Are you paid during training?
Yes!

Are you paid per diem?
No….we are allotted $15/15/30 for meals when on trips and we charge them to our company cards.

Any 401k? 401k match?
Yes….50 cents on the dollar up to 6%
You can pick and choose the investments from the list provided.

Vacation?
21 days….accrues at 6.4 hours per pay period. 2 weeks vacation and 1 week sick. Can be used in one day increments and requested up to six months in advance.

Anything else you might want to throw in there about general QOL?
Where do I start………
No TSA
Management knows my name
Management cares what I think
Company is making money and getting new airplanes
Great variety of flying
etc

jeflies

I don't post on here much but I feel like I should. I had no idea who EAS was until I met one of their pilots in AUS. After searching the web for a bit I found this website and thread. This thread helped me learn a lot about EAS and eventually get hired. There is a lot of stuff on here thats true and a lot thats just incorrect.

After flying the line for 3 months, Ill pass along my experiences thus far.

First of all, this is a job. Your going to work. If your a lazy person, EAS is not the place for you. Yes, you have to flight plan, file your own flight plans, arrange your own hotel and rental car, notify FBOs, and manage expenses. The flying is the fun, easy part. The rest of that stuff gets easier with experience on the job.

The schedule (12 on 3 off) takes getting used to. I've had a few rotations where I've worked all 12 days. Occasionally, I'll have a stretch of days on the road that is in the 6-8 range. Other rotations I've been at home every night. Some of those days were sitting at home on stand by with assigned duty and rest times. You're not at home and on call the entire time. The same goes for layover days at the hotel. You get released in the afternoon/evening to go have a beer if you want.

Two rotations I've spent the entire 12 days on the road but that was by request (bonus day pay incentive). Overall, the rotations can be either really tough or really easy. I'm only flying one type currently. Naturally if/when I get into another type that logically means more flying.

We do the majority of our flying out of our home base but sometimes you will have to fly trips out of other bases. A rotation can quickly turn into a long stretch away from home on the road because you will get chained trips out of that base. Thats part of the 12/3. Your 12 days your available to work. Sometimes its working outside of your base.

As far as morale goes, I'm enjoying it here. I came from 135 single pilot freight so I know what bitter, angry pilots look and sound like. There aren't any here like that. They do a good job recruiting and hiring people who are going to fit in well here. Being super qualified and the world's best pilot doesn't guarantee you a job here. Having the right personality, strong work ethic, and attitude is just as important.

FlyingPirate

Not that it matters but how do you carry manuals and charts? Paper? EFB? Or is it installed in the airplane?

runsky42

I can't speak for the Phenom guys/gals but in the King Air we have NOS charts a lot of us carry iPads with charts also. I have been here flying the KA350 PIC since May and have no complaints. I enjoy the flying the people. I came from a 135 cargo operator and EAS is far better then where I was before. 12/3 is not bad 10/5 would be better. I often volunteer on my hard days off to fly. It is what you make of it.

bgmann

I was treated better in the first 3days at EAS than I ever was in any single day at my former part121 regional airline in 6 years.

There will always be some pilots that will be unhappy anywhere they go.

ie, UPS and FedEx have some unhappy pilots.


Flyingpirate, Ipad efbs seem to be in the works...more info to come as time goes on.