SVA402

Would anyone around here that flies for Virgin America mind answering a few questions?
-What are schedules like? Would they be commutable from SEA?
-How long should newhires expect to sit reserve?

Thanks for any info you may have.

socalflyboy

On that note, can you also provide some insight as to wheter or not you need an internal rec. for an interview or do they pull from the website apps? thx in advance..scfb

ExFokkerFlyer

Right now the schedules vary. Obviously they depend on seniority, but beyond that we are using a HORRIBLE bidding system that requires a lot of man hours to make workable (bless those guys and gals that do it!). Good news is we are switching to a new and hopefully better (couldn't be worse) system early next year. With that said, the trips are a mixed bag with mostly 3 and 4 day trips, some 2 and 1 day trips... With my seniority I honestly don't have many complaints. I don't get everything, or sometimes ANYTHING, that I want, but it's all workable for me and I make due. Schedules can always be better, but as time goes by we are getting more and more flexibility, Flica, making it easier to adjust your schedule after the bid is awarded.

Seattle is definitely commutable, I think we have three flights a day, and other guys have had good luck with offline jumpseats.

No idea on how long guys are going to sit reserve. We are not looking to add many airplanes next year, but we are going to fly what we have more... so who knows? It's above my pay grade.

Personal recommendations are not required but do definitely help.

Hope that helps you guys.

ExFokkerFlyer

duplicate removed

cargo hopeful

Not to lead away from the original question but ExFokkerFlyer did you used to work for Mountain Air Cargo or Empire Cargo? I would have sent you a pm but you don’t have enough posts for it.

ExFokkerFlyer

Worked at Empire in the late 90s.

cargo hopeful

I thought so, the following was a reply when someone asked about working at Empire, does it seem accurate to you? I know it's been a while since you left but still... anyway, here it is:


"if you are talking about empire the fedex feeder i wouldn't bother. you have no control over your schedule, can possibly choose a base that supposed to go off of senority wich dosen't mean anthing to them. needless to say the management sucks. they constantly ask you to break the fars and question you every time something is written up. such as; you know that will cause a delay can't you just write it up after the flight. or my favorite is here are the parts they will fix it in xxx base when you get there.
plus they make you sign a training contract at the start and then again when you upgrade. the contract is written so if you are fired you still owe them the money. the reason the training contract sucks is that fedex pays for all the training so why do you owe them the money? they constantly upgrade people then wait a few months then have the pilot sign the contract and if you don' they fire you.
it is basically a sub par 135 company with 121 operations. many are not happy and have left. the pilot group had just tried to start a union because managment would not give them a raise in over ten years while pocketing the increases in pay from fedex
the list is long and so are the pilots that do not like it there. however the caravan job is pretty sweet. all out and back, not much travel and mostly are left alone, pay is still very sub par for the job and like i said no increase in the pay scale for over ten years."

ExFokkerFlyer

Cargo, overall that's about right, check your PMs.

CASmaster

Speaking of VA does anyone, on the inside or out, know if they are hiring into a pool or when the next class(es) might be?

ExFokkerFlyer

Not sure when the next class will be, but I do know that there will be some hiring through the first half of next year.