Omni Air Hiring
 

They just posted on 350 that they are hiring F/E's - anyone know anything about Omni? Like upgrade times! - BCD

Upgrade time for F/Es? They probably hire 'Professional" F/Es, guys that have lots of heavy-jet FE time, ex-military FEs, former mechs with A&Ps. These guys are usually permanent FEs, and they're worth their weight in gold on the flight deck.

I know they fly DC10s; I see them in ATL, BGR and LAS all the time. The Omni payscale is here on APC.

They allow PFE's to upgrade. I think they need 1000hrs total to go to left seat. Not guaranteed. Starting pay with Omni is horrible and they will keep you out for a long time but most guys I know that work there plan to stay.

Omni just purchased NWA's old DC-10s.

Did you say 1000 total time to upgrade to LEFT seat? Captain? Doesn't sound right.

I meant Rt seat.

Pay rates are good, but guarantee is LOW. I'll bet noone breaks it, because I hear their schedules are the most inefficient, unproductive in the charter biz.

Omni has cut a niche with DOD/gov contracts. At Kuwait Int'l you'll see two Omni DC-10s making the run through Europe and the Middle East, or over to Asia. They fly troops mostly. Seems like the routes aren't bad..

I've got a friend who worked there as an F/O for about a year. Ran away as fast as he could when he got a new job.

Perks: Relatively easy to get a job there. You're flying heavies earlier than you normally would. You get to see the world. Four day sits in honolulu. You can live where you want.

Drawbacks: 18 day trips. No lines, all reserve. Kuwaitt is a dry country. Lowest pay in supplemental industry. LOTS of deadhead. On other airlines. In coach. Upgrade isn't seniority based. Non Union.

Hey Guys & Gals,

Don't waste your precious time with Omni. They are a Dirt Bag outfit! If you talk Union there your gone! Pronto!

They brought me back from the sandbox recently, as a mil passenger, I wasn't impressed by the operation overall...

I use to Jumpseat with them regularly out of Hawaii. I know what you mean, Airplanes were in terrible shape. I remember the lunch they served was in a brown bag, I almost gagged on the mystery meat in the sandwich.
On the other hand, the Crews were outstanding, a great down to earth positive attitude - I really liked them. They treated me very well.
As for a bussiness point of veiw, they are making money hand over fist. But I worry about there future since 80% of their bussiness is military.

Even with the recent election results and a presidential election coming soon, I don't think that anybody who flies for a carrier with military contracts has anything to worry about anytime soon.

I fired off a resume to them....waiting......

same, still waiting

Try calling them. Their next class is Jan. 8th.

Is that a PFE class or for pilot?

you got a good extension number, or name of someone to chat with?

I could not agree more. Here are a few tidbits for you prior to making a move towards Omni.

• The pay is extremely low for the amount of work the cockpit crews are required to accomplish.

• Management fosters a negative relationship between their department heads in travel and scheduling. The perception from the home team at headquarters is that “pilots are spoiled and not to be pampered”.

• Lines of flying are 18 days and could be up to 22 or longer if the DO decides to authorize scheduling to hold you out….INVOLUNTARILY. All this after you may have been awarded two lines that back up to each other which has kept you out for maybe 30 days +.

• Bring your disinfectant for the hotels.

• Per Diem is on the low end both domestically and internationally.

• Catering is terrible.

• FA’s overall as a group are some of the most unprofessional I have seen in my airline career (steal food from setups, and give the cockpit what is left etc.)

• Training runs 6 out of 7 days a week. Sometimes up to 7 weeks away from home, and because of the back log of training, I did not start IOE for two months after my sim check.

The only good thing is the home basing, which will save you a bundle in travel, however not enough to offset the cost of the loss of your family, home and finances because of divorce.

Upgrade can be quite quick due to the turnover of Pilots (you would think management would get a clue…not). However despite your qualifications, you might be bypassed for someone better liked or just a plain brownnoser.

If you are single or need something to stop the financial bleeding until something better comes along then sure, Omni is probably a good place for a touch and go. But, in the end my advice is to RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN away from that operation. I did.

WOW! .. I sure hope either World or Gemini hire me soon!

Who to call
 

Hey guys! As far as who to call at Omni? I just called their contact number on the website and asked to talk to the Chief Pilot, but I think his official title was Fleet Manager. Anyway, he talked to me and was really nice. Thats how I know about the class in January. All classes I think they try to fill as a crew compliment (Two FO's per FE) to maximize sim training.

As far as the company and pay, my thoughts, if you want to work at Fedex or some other great place but are still needing some experience, I think Omni wouldn't be a bad place to do a touch-n-go since you are going to get at least 60hrs a month, more than 60 is a strong possibility. I talked to some guys that flew 800 hours there last year. Omni certainly has its negatives, but don't look at it as a long term job.

Where did you go? (If you don't mind me asking...) Were you a Captain at Omni?

Sounds like an awfully high turnover there.

Why are they unable to organize under ALPA or something? Seems like a classic case of where a Union is need to offset a tyrannical management.

anybody have any contact info for their Part 135 Learjet side of the house? Couldn't find anything on their website.

Try www.omniairtransport.com

An IP I know there said they just hired a new pilot for the LR-35. Doesn't hurt to apply, though.

Because it is a classic case of its not that plain and simple!
1st off, you need to have solidarity, at these supplementals getting all the people on the same page is not easy, because where there are less than say 100 pilots, everyone is on a first name basis. When you throw in management types in there it starts to get difficult for those with initiative, see above. get in some people that got in via a pft issue and they could care less, since they are right out of school and already in the flight levels and they dont want to jeopardize "their investment".
Since upgrades arent based solely on seniority at some places, those that are "next" do not want to do anything to offset their standing in management's eyes. Finally, when you do get some cohesiveness, a majority, it is usually weak and stands to face its originators being fired for some reason, we all know what that is, and then someone else has to step up. Then that someone else now has to go to ALPA only to find out that they will only talk to you once you have a minimum number of pilots to make it worth their while. Your other options are teamsters, which have their own minimums, and then you are not the first on their plate. Meanwhile the months go on, attritions continues and your support goes with it.

It is an all the way uphill battle that only people that care long enough to stay around will initiate. it is freaking tough!!! Im not saying it cant be done, as there are many supplementals that have their own independant unions, but for say a focus or cargo 360 that just started up.....you are basically the guinea pigs for everyone else to gauge whether or not promises are lived up to or its even a place where youd want to go.

im sure ive missed other points, but those are some of what the nonskeds deal with, so back to the original point, its a classic case of its not that simple!

It's difficult to get anything organized when nearly 50% of the pilot group are scabs. (probably higher on the DC-10). NOT THE CREAM OF THE CROP...

I've seen that problem at my previous company. I heard some Omni guys say: "if you even mention union here you'll get fired". That being said it would be hard to organize if you have a bunch of "weisels in the midst". Without "trust", where are you?