Via Airlines 121 & 135
03-01-2019, 01:35 PM
#91
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Semi-Retired...
Posts: 3,128
Originally Posted by pilotguy7
Its a dumpster fire. .stay away! They cancel flights every single week on the 121 side in order to do more 135 flying. They will promise you the moon (get everything in writing), you will NOT have a full months schedule. they've been promising this for over a year, and they still dont have that worked out.
On paper, its a great place, in reality, its just bad. We all wanted/want this place to work, but there is a true reason they cant keep pilots. Its sad really! But this is NOT a good place to work. You are NOT salaried . . if you dont work the "required days" then you DONT GET PAID! Even if it is there fault. The only way this place gets better is if 1) Management really wants to change (everything has shown they refuse) 2) pilots dont show up to class, and they are force to deal with better QOL and pay for pilots.
Also, just look them up on any travel review site, and ask yourself if you want to bank your career on this type of an organization?
But to each his/her own.
On paper, its a great place, in reality, its just bad. We all wanted/want this place to work, but there is a true reason they cant keep pilots. Its sad really! But this is NOT a good place to work. You are NOT salaried . . if you dont work the "required days" then you DONT GET PAID! Even if it is there fault. The only way this place gets better is if 1) Management really wants to change (everything has shown they refuse) 2) pilots dont show up to class, and they are force to deal with better QOL and pay for pilots.
Also, just look them up on any travel review site, and ask yourself if you want to bank your career on this type of an organization?
But to each his/her own.
Pilots are salaried. You get paid regardless of any cancellations.
That said, their 121 schedule is overly optimistic and always has been. However, I’ll reiterate that pilots are paid regardless if they sit in the company provided hotels all week or fly all week. The check always came. Sometimes a day early, sometimes a day late, but it always came.
People complain of QOL probably haven’t worked at regionals elsewhere much. Via is easy to work for.
Last edited by Cujo665; 03-01-2019 at 01:46 PM.
03-01-2019, 01:39 PM
#92
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Semi-Retired...
Posts: 3,128
Originally Posted by Lifesabeech92
on the apc site for via it says:
"Pilots are not paid for training until completion of Indoc/Ground and upon completion of sim (PC/Type ride)."
Is that true??? Not getting paid during training? How does anyone afford that? I really wanna fly for someone out of Orlando, but seems like none of the operators are any good. (besides the obvious jetblue, southwest etc for which im not qualified enough since I have less than 3,000h)
"Pilots are not paid for training until completion of Indoc/Ground and upon completion of sim (PC/Type ride)."
Is that true??? Not getting paid during training? How does anyone afford that? I really wanna fly for someone out of Orlando, but seems like none of the operators are any good. (besides the obvious jetblue, southwest etc for which im not qualified enough since I have less than 3,000h)
Edit - just heard from the DO, it’s $100 everyday in the training program, then pilot salary.
Last edited by Cujo665; 03-01-2019 at 01:52 PM.
03-02-2019, 05:27 AM
#93
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Position: SW4
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by Cujo665
I believe that’s a typo... they aren’t paid pilot salary rates which start at $50k for FO ($55k if typed) and $78k for street CA’s. I think they’re saying it’s training pay only. I’ll call and ask though.
Edit - just heard from the DO, it’s $100 everyday in the training program, then pilot salary.
Edit - just heard from the DO, it’s $100 everyday in the training program, then pilot salary.
"Initial training pay is a flat rate of $100.00 of per diem per training day upon completion of training. Initial training does not count toward incentive pay. Payment of training pay will be made in two installments, 1st at the successful completion of ground training. 2nd at the successful completion of SIM check ride (Initial qualification for the position). No payment will be received if pilot does not complete the training."
Problem is, if there is a massive lag in training time (which there is) then folks arent being paid that month! It took 6 months for them to get me in a sim!!! (luckily, I was not under the new contract)
03-02-2019, 05:31 AM
#94
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Position: SW4
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by Cujo665
Lots to unpack there....
Pilots are salaried. You get paid regardless of any cancellations.
That said, their 121 schedule is overly optimistic and always has been. However, I’ll reiterate that pilots are paid regardless if they sit in the company provided hotels all week or fly all week. The check always came. Sometimes a day early, sometimes a day late, but it always came.
People complain of QOL probably haven’t worked at regionals elsewhere much. Via is easy to work for.
Pilots are salaried. You get paid regardless of any cancellations.
That said, their 121 schedule is overly optimistic and always has been. However, I’ll reiterate that pilots are paid regardless if they sit in the company provided hotels all week or fly all week. The check always came. Sometimes a day early, sometimes a day late, but it always came.
People complain of QOL probably haven’t worked at regionals elsewhere much. Via is easy to work for.
This place could be the greatest diamond in the rough, but unfortunately, ownership refuses to allow that to happen. This is why SO many great crews leave every single year.
03-02-2019, 08:03 AM
#95
Line Holder
Joined APC: Feb 2019
Posts: 51
Originally Posted by pilotguy7
From the contract
"Initial training pay is a flat rate of $100.00 of per diem per training day upon completion of training. Initial training does not count toward incentive pay. Payment of training pay will be made in two installments, 1st at the successful completion of ground training. 2nd at the successful completion of SIM check ride (Initial qualification for the position). No payment will be received if pilot does not complete the training."
Problem is, if there is a massive lag in training time (which there is) then folks arent being paid that month! It took 6 months for them to get me in a sim!!! (luckily, I was not under the new contract)
"Initial training pay is a flat rate of $100.00 of per diem per training day upon completion of training. Initial training does not count toward incentive pay. Payment of training pay will be made in two installments, 1st at the successful completion of ground training. 2nd at the successful completion of SIM check ride (Initial qualification for the position). No payment will be received if pilot does not complete the training."
Problem is, if there is a massive lag in training time (which there is) then folks arent being paid that month! It took 6 months for them to get me in a sim!!! (luckily, I was not under the new contract)
03-02-2019, 08:59 AM
#96
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Position: SW4
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by Lifesabeech92
so if you're waiting 6 months for the sim ride, you're not getting paid for 6 months? do you have to have your atp to get a call or do they provide the atpctp? it only says atp preferred on the website. living in orlando and working here would be tremendous.
That is correct. You would not be getting paid! They have lost many pilots in training because of this. So buyer beware. As of now, they dont have a CTP course. Please remember, this is a cheap organization without a lot of infused cash to operate. Want they really are looking for, is type rated pilots with experience who have proven themselves in a part 121 or 135 operation. This means they wont have to spend as much money in training cost, and they can move folks through faster. The main issue on this is that they are well below the current pay of qualified pilots. So attracting these folks have been very difficult for them, and retaining them, nearly impossible. It will probably be only a matter of time before they are forced to look at lessor experienced crews in order to attract folks. If I were you, I'd go to a good 121, stay there for a year or so, then get on with Jetblue or some place that has a base in Orlando.
Because of the weak training, you really are putting your certificate at risk, because they WILL FORCE YOU to take a check ride before you are ready, or they will just get rid of you. So know you could have that to explain away.
03-02-2019, 10:50 AM
#97
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Semi-Retired...
Posts: 3,128
Originally Posted by pilotguy7
From the contract
"Initial training pay is a flat rate of $100.00 of per diem per training day upon completion of training. Initial training does not count toward incentive pay. Payment of training pay will be made in two installments, 1st at the successful completion of ground training. 2nd at the successful completion of SIM check ride (Initial qualification for the position). No payment will be received if pilot does not complete the training."
Problem is, if there is a massive lag in training time (which there is) then folks arent being paid that month! It took 6 months for them to get me in a sim!!! (luckily, I was not under the new contract)
"Initial training pay is a flat rate of $100.00 of per diem per training day upon completion of training. Initial training does not count toward incentive pay. Payment of training pay will be made in two installments, 1st at the successful completion of ground training. 2nd at the successful completion of SIM check ride (Initial qualification for the position). No payment will be received if pilot does not complete the training."
Problem is, if there is a massive lag in training time (which there is) then folks arent being paid that month! It took 6 months for them to get me in a sim!!! (luckily, I was not under the new contract)
03-02-2019, 10:58 AM
#98
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Semi-Retired...
Posts: 3,128
Originally Posted by pilotguy7
That is correct. You would not be getting paid! They have lost many pilots in training because of this. So buyer beware. As of now, they dont have a CTP course. Please remember, this is a cheap organization without a lot of infused cash to operate. Want they really are looking for, is type rated pilots with experience who have proven themselves in a part 121 or 135 operation. This means they wont have to spend as much money in training cost, and they can move folks through faster. The main issue on this is that they are well below the current pay of qualified pilots. So attracting these folks have been very difficult for them, and retaining them, nearly impossible. It will probably be only a matter of time before they are forced to look at lessor experienced crews in order to attract folks. If I were you, I'd go to a good 121, stay there for a year or so, then get on with Jetblue or some place that has a base in Orlando.
Because of the weak training, you really are putting your certificate at risk, because they WILL FORCE YOU to take a check ride before you are ready, or they will just get rid of you. So know you could have that to explain away.
Because of the weak training, you really are putting your certificate at risk, because they WILL FORCE YOU to take a check ride before you are ready, or they will just get rid of you. So know you could have that to explain away.
03-02-2019, 12:31 PM
#99
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2017
Position: SW4
Posts: 121
Originally Posted by Cujo665
Well, there is a difference between being cheap and not having cash. They definately have cash, that isn’t and has never been their problem. If you knew anything of the owners other ventures, you’d never question access to cash. It’s a reluctance to spend it, and trying different things at different times to gauge results. They can have experienced 121 guys tell them not to do something, and they’ll still do it to see for themselves. I’d guess this training pay program won’t last long before they fix it. Just tell them no, you expect to be paid for your time. They seem to be flexible when needed.
03-03-2019, 05:13 AM
#100
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2014
Position: Semi-Retired...
Posts: 3,128
Originally Posted by pilotguy7
The "OWNER" has cash . . . but he doesn't want to pump it into this venture. Which leads to them to being "cash poor". It doesn't matter how much cash the owner has, if he is not willing to pour it back into the business. Lots and lots of multimillionaires have let business close down, while their bank accounts are plenty full.
They aren't going out of business, and the paycheck always comes (sometimes early, sometimes late). The easiest way to look at is you're on duty XX number of days. Just go to work prepared to fly or do something those days, if not, enjoy the paid day off at the hotel.
There are definitely worse companies to work for.
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