FlyingFever

Looking for answers relevant to an E190/195 new hire

1. What is training like with the new training center in SLC? What is the primary difference with non-AQP training? Pass rates?
2. Is 190/195 backed up either in training or OE?
2. Are all bases open to new new-hires (specifically MSY & CHS)?
3. What is the level of attrition?
4. How is the pilot group treated?

Any responses or PMs greatly appreciate. Thanks.

blueballs

When did you interview? When did you get the offer? Just curious what timeframe it takes to go from face to face to offer

bonvoyage

I’ll try and hit as many points as I can. The problem is conditions vary widely between pilots here. IF you live in a base (and the company didn’t shut it down/pull your aircraft out), it is pretty great. IF you commute to reserve, expect it to suck. IF you commute to a line, expect it to suck a little less than commuting to reserve.

1). The training center has been completed since I went through initial, I’ve never stepped foot in it, pictures look nice. Sim is ok I guess? It’s a used 190 sim from AeroMexico but it says Flight Safety on the side of it. The basic 121 training, in my opinion, was as easy as AQP. The procedure and systems training was done with Flight Safety instructors in St. Louis. The instructors were great and they knew the Breeze procedures and aircraft very well. The sim training is done by our own instructors, they are not there to fail you, but you are required to put effort in and know the profiles/call outs.

2). I have not heard of a backup on the 190 side. I believe they delayed 220 classes just a few weeks because of the certificate delay. No training/OE backups on 190 though.

3). ORF/MSY/CHS are all open to new hires (probably in that order). Expect a pilot shuffle as a new west coast base will be publicly announced this week.

4). It seems to have slowed down a little as of lately. Most of the pilots who were extremely upset over TPA bailed, and it’s left (mainly) a content pilot group for the time being. Some still say they’re on the fence, obviously. We are all anxiously awaiting more news. The past few weeks were far more positive than late fall/winter were.

5). That is gonna vary with who you ask. We seem to be treated differently, but I’ve never had any problems. Nor have most of my friends here. It’s a small company, your name will get around QUICK. We had pilots who couldn’t handle having their reserve shifts changed from AM to PM and got into battles over it. Basically ask yourself, were you the trouble child at whatever regional/flying job you had before? If so, you probably won’t like some things here. If you can handle being less organized than an airline who is union represented with a contract and has been around for years, this might fare you well.

Is it FedEx? No. But if you live in a base it’s great. The 220 will do multi day trips, maybe they will be commutable. It sounds like initially they won’t be super commuter friendly, but that could change as they grow and build more pairings.

Swapapotamoose

Bonvoyage stated perfectly. The ppl who were super unhappy have left. The ones who remain, see the potential for the company and will be top 5% of a major for the rest of their careers. You wont get that anywhere else. Hopefully the 220 drivers don’t kill the ALPA drive, breeze will be pretty cool a year from now.

TeeKay421

Curious on the thoughts behind this statement. Why would part of the pilot group vote them down?

bonvoyage

Because it sounds like David hand picked select retired JB pilots (A220 DEC’s) who were at JB before the union, and gave them a really good anti-union spill. Our hope is that the majority of them can see through that. We would hate to have a “no” vote for ALPA with a bunch of 63 year olds who won’t be here long enough to even care. None of those guys have been out on the line suffering and building Breeze to what it is today. And there is a chance they come in believing what management tells them and think we don’t need a union.

Swapapotamoose

The 220 guys have been home collecting a nice check. They haven’t seen the day to day operation and the abuse the 190 guys experience. Breeze pilots by far, work harder than any other major pilots out there and make 40% less hourly. That’s not even including the soft pay and the considerably higher 401k contributions pilots at other majors enjoy.

9mikemike

Is Breeze a Major….Seems more like a small east coast old style commuter airline…Seems that a person should expect the treatment that comes with that status….Better for pilots to view it that way…eyes wide open…be happy with it until another better thing comes along….Keeping longevity at the magic five year mark will be a Neelman and Co goal for sure

Swapapotamoose

Hence why ALPA is absolutely a must. If it gets voted down, without a doubt more ppl will leave.

TravisJohn

When are you all supposed to be voting on it?